ENG 3U

English, Grade 11 (University)

Deconstruct persuasion and master critical influence. Grade 11 English at Asynchronous Academy trains you to look beneath the surface of the text, the script, and the screen. By comparing Shakespeare’s dark psychological tragedy Macbeth with modern niche content competitor research, you'll uncover how narrative structures shape human ambition and belief. You will run professional-grade competitor media analyses, draft high-fidelity communication trial runs, and learn to write sophisticated arguments that break free of the rigid, boring five-paragraph essay structure. This is where you learn to parse complex academic articles, construct unshakeable theses, and command authority as a modern writer.

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BSID 665288 (Inspected by Ontario Ministry of Education)

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Reference Materials

File Formats

Reference guide for acceptable file formats and tools for completing coursework.

Course Outline

Technical details about the course, including assignment weights and course policies.

AI & LLMS

How is Async Academy Different?

Discover how this course shifts the focus from traditional essays to modern communication goals. Learn how to integrate AI as a powerful learning tool.

Learning Goals:

Demonstrate understanding of oral and media texts and reflect on strategies used to interpret them
Create an effective media text for a specific audience using appropriate conventions and stylistic techniques
Reflect on personal strengths and areas for growth in oral communication and media production

Assessment as Learning

Expectations Covered:

MS1 MS2 MS3 MS4 OC1 OC2 OC3

AI & Piracy

Discuss the ethical boundaries of using AI to generate content. Learn to distinguish between using AI as an assistant versus a crutch.

Learning Goals:

Demonstrate an understanding of media texts and how media conventions influence meaning
Create media texts for specific purposes and audiences using appropriate forms and techniques
Reflect on the effectiveness of research and media-creation strategies
Use speaking skills and strategies to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively

Assessment for Learning

Expectations Covered:

MS1 MS2 MS3 MS4 OC2 OC3 RLS1 RLS2 RLS3

AI in Schools

Explore the broader implications of AI technology in education. Evaluate how it changes the way we research and write.

Learning Goals:

Generate, select, and organize ideas to write a personal essay that explains career goals, communication skills, and appropriate AI use
Use appropriate form, voice, and style to create a clear, engaging personal essay for an intended audience
Apply writing conventions and revision strategies to produce a polished final essay
Reflect on writing processes and strategies, including the use of AI and prompt engineering, to improve future writing

Assessment of Learning

Expectations Covered:

Macbeth

Macbeth

Here is an online version of the play. You are welcome to use this, or any other version, of the text.

Why Read Shakespeare?

Consider the enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s work in modern society. Explore the universal themes that make his plays timeless.

Learning Goals:

Develop effective pre-reading strategies to understand challenging literary texts
Demonstrate understanding of Shakespearean texts, including meaning, characters, and structure
Communicate ideas clearly and effectively using short, audience-appropriate videos
Reflect on reading and communication strategies to improve future learning

Assessment as Learning

Expectations Covered:

OC2 RLS1 RLS2 RLS4

Reading the Play

Delve into the complex characters and dark ambitions of Macbeth. Analyze the language and structure of the tragedy.

Learning Goals:

Engage with new and difficult texts confidently using a variety of digital and cognitive tools
Analyze the nuances of Shakespearean form and structure to identify key plot points and character motivations

Assessment for Learning

Expectations Covered:

OC1 RLS1 RLS2 RLS3

Following a Theme

Trace a central motif throughout Macbeth to build a comprehensive literary analysis. Practice supporting your claims with textual evidence.

Learning Goals:

Identify and analyse the effectiveness of significant elements from printed and media texts
Present material verbally using a variety of strategies to engage and influence listeners

Assessment of Learning

Expectations Covered:

MS1 MS2 MS4 OC1 OC3

Media Studies

Competitor Research

Analyze other content creators in your chosen niche to identify successful strategies. Learn what works and what to avoid in modern media.

Learning Goals:

Research successful media channels to identify techniques used to connect with diverse Canadian audiences
Recognize and analyse bias and persuasive tactics used in professional media texts
Evaluate how communication strategies vary in effectiveness across different platforms and media forms
Understand how visual features like typography and layout contribute to a creator's brand and message

Assessment as Learning

Expectations Covered:

MS1 MS2 MS3 MS4

Initial Planning

Outline your media project by defining your target audience and core message. Create a structured plan to guide your production process.

Learning Goals:

Modify communication choices to effectively connect with a specific target audience
Understand how external factors, including funding models, influence media creation and messaging
Identify and apply conventions and techniques used in different video formats and digital channels

Assessment for Learning

Expectations Covered:

Trial Run

Produce a draft or pilot of your media project to test your concepts. Gather feedback and identify areas for refinement before final production.

Learning Goals:

Write effectively for a specified audience using appropriate digital forms and conventions
Revise and refine written products through iterative AI prompting
Identify limitations or biases in AI-generated output and make purposeful human-led changes
Explain and evaluate the strategies used to adapt AI output for a specific brand voice

Assessment of Learning

Expectations Covered:

Novel Study

Why Study Literature

Reflect on how literature shapes our understanding of culture and identity. Discuss the importance of critical reading skills.

Learning Goals:

Consider how studying literature can support the development of high-value, transferable skills
Organize ideas into a coherent, well-developed argument about the value of media and text
Improve speaking skills with attention to clarity, vocal strategies, and non-verbal cues
Expand media creation skills by incorporating prior feedback into new technical techniques

Assessment as Learning

Expectations Covered:

MS3 OC2 RLS4 W1

Read the Novel

Engage with an independently selected novel to deepen your literary analysis. Keep detailed records of key themes, quotes, and character arcs.

Learning Goals:

Make inferences and develop a deeper understanding of a novel's themes and characters
Increase fluency with grade-appropriate academic and literary vocabulary
Connect elements of professional writing and plot development to their effectiveness in personal creative tasks

Assessment for Learning

Expectations Covered:

RLS1 RLS2 RLS3 RLS4

Moving Past 5 Paragraphs

Break free from rigid essay structures to develop a more sophisticated writing style. Learn to organize complex thoughts organically.

Learning Goals:

Select and apply effective strategies to develop and organise complex content for a specific audience
Use revision and AI-assisted iteration purposefully to identify and refine the most effective writing strategies
Communicate complex editorial and creative processes clearly through verbal explanation

Assessment of Learning

Expectations Covered:

MS4 W1 W2 W3 W4

Academic Writing

Reading Academic Writing

Deconstruct scholarly articles to understand the conventions of academic prose. Learn how experts structure their arguments and use evidence.

Learning Goals:

Apply effective reading strategies to approach and understand complex academic writing
Develop independent judgment regarding the effectiveness of academic forms and conventions

Assessment as Learning

Expectations Covered:

RLS1 RLS2 RLS3 RLS4

Writing an Essay

Apply academic writing principles to craft your own persuasive essay. Focus on developing a strong thesis and logical flow.

Learning Goals:

Develop a clear, supportable thesis based on textual evidence from the play
Structure an essay using a formal introduction, PEE body paragraphs, and a conclusion
Integrate and explain quotations effectively to support academic claims
Reflect on personal writing strategies to identify areas for future improvement

Assessment for Learning

Expectations Covered:

Portfolio

Curate your finest work into a comprehensive portfolio demonstrating your growth. Write a reflective piece on your development as a communicator.

Learning Goals:

Produce polished, professional written and multimedia work for a specific real-world audience
Assess work holistically to identify patterns, strengths, and actionable areas for professional improvement

Assessment of Learning

Expectations Covered:

Exam Task

Exam Task

Synthesize the critical thinking and communication skills learned this term. Complete a final assessment that showcases your academic readiness.

Learning Goals:

Critically reflect on personal learning in reading, oral communication, and media analysis
Plan and organise media content to clearly support a professional message

Assessment of Learning

Expectations Covered:

MS3 MS4 OC3 RLS4