Course Description
Analytical Reading and Writing is an elective course offered to 9th – 12th graders. It is designed to set students on the path to becoming truly great writers who are able to influence the world for good through powerful words. Becoming a great writer is an exhilarating and rigorous process that takes many, many years. The purpose of this class is to accelerate this process by empowering students to learn directly from the great writers of English literature. By reading, enjoying, and analyzing examples of great literature, they will discover the principles and philosophies the masters used, and they will then apply these principles in their own writing projects to communicate messages that are deeply meaningful and important to them.
Course Details
Analytical
Reading & Writing
Ninth Grade Tenth Grade Eleventh Grade Twelfth Grade
Unit 0: Why Writing?
Discussion Topics
- The Power of Language and Words
- The Result of Powerful Writing
- Is Great Writing Possible for Me?
Reading
- “Language Acquisition” by Betty Birner (The Linguistic Society of America)
- “Do Children Soak Up Language Like Sponges?” by Lindsay Patterson (New York Times Online, 16 April 2020)
- “How Do Children Learn Language?” by Carol Bainbridge (Verywell Family, 24 October 2022)
Unit 1: Dr. Seuss and the Elements of Story
Discussion Topics
- What makes a good story?
- How can I write memorably?
Reading
- “I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew” by Dr. Seuss
- “The Sneetches” by Dr. Seuss
- “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss
Writing Project
- Write a simple story outline, then rewrite the story using the principles learned from Dr. Seuss’s stories.
Unit 2: Elder Holland and the Use of Story in Speeches
Discussion Topics
- How can stories be used to teach a principle?
- What can speakers do to help their audience truly learn and feel? Reading
- “The First Great Commandment” by Jeffrey R. Holland (General Conference, October 2012)
- “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence” by Jeffrey R. Holland (BYU Devotional, 2 March 1999)
Writing Project
- Write a talk about a spiritual subject that is important to you, using a story to amplify your message (as Elder Holland does). Give your talk in front of the class.
Unit 3: Margaret Eggleston and the Five Grand Keys to Becoming a Great Writer
Discussion Topics
- What is the purpose of telling stories?
- How do we craft stories that reach the heart?
- The Five Grand Keys to Becoming a Great Writer
Reading
- “Wanted—A Real Mother” by Margaret Eggleston
Writing Project
- Write a personal or family story, using principles learned from Margaret Eggleston to help the story reach the heart.
Unit 4: Charles Dickens and Christmas Stories with Meaning
Discussion Topics
- How do we select a message to bring forth in our writing?
- How do we craft stories to powerfully convey that message?
Reading
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
- “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss
Writing Project
- Write a holiday story to convey a personally meaningful message, using principles learned from Charles Dickens, O. Henry, and Dr. Seuss.
Unit 5: J.R.R. Tolkien and the Christian Fairy Story
Discussion Topics
- What is a fairy story? What is its purpose? What is its value?
- What is the “eucatastrophe”? How can it be achieved in story?
Reading
- “On Fairy Stories” by J.R.R. Tolkien
- “Leaf by Niggle” by J.R.R. Tolkien
Writing Project
- Write a fairy story to convey a personally meaningful message, using principles from J.R.R. Tolkien.
Unit 6: Analyze Great Talks from a Church Leader
Discussion Topics
- What principles of great writing can be learned from the talks of Church leaders?
Reading
- Selected General Conference talks and other messages from a Church leader of your choice.
Writing Project
- Write a talk about a spiritual subject that is important to you, using principles learned from a Church leader of your choice.
Unit 7: The Parables of Jesus — the Master Teacher and Storyteller
Discussion Topics
- What makes Jesus’ parables so timeless and so powerful?
- What can we learn from the Master Teacher about great writing — its purpose, its construction, and its delivery?
Reading
- Selected parables of Jesus from the King James Version of the Bible.
Writing Project
- Write a short parable, using principles learned from the Master.
Unit 8: Final Project
Writing Project
- Apply all the principles learned throughout the year to create a significant piece of writing as a final project.
Works of Literature — The following works of literature will be read, annotated, discussed, and analyzed, either in full or in part.
- “I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew” by Dr. Seuss
- “The Sneetches” by Dr. Seuss
- “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss
- “Wanted—A Real Mother” by Margaret Eggleston
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss
- “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
- The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
- “Leaf by Niggle” by J.R.R. Tolkien
Articles and Essays — The following articles and essays will be read and discussed in class, either in full or in part.
- “Language Acquisition” by Betty Birner (The Linguistic Society of America)
- “Do Children Soak Up Language Like Sponges?” by Lindsay Patterson (New York Times Online, 16 April 2020)
- “How Do Children Learn Language?” by Carol Bainbridge (Verywell Family, 24 October 2022)
- “On Fairy Stories” by J.R.R. Tolkien
Talks — The following talks from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be read and discussed in class, either in full or in part.
- “The First Great Commandment” by Jeffrey R. Holland (General Conference, October 2012)
- “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence” by Jeffrey R. Holland (BYU Devotional, 2 March 1999)
Additionally, the Standard Works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be regularly used, both to give insights into our discussions and as examples of great writing.
Tayson Holzer
Tayson Holzer completed Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and has worked as an engineer developing and programming electrical systems, including gas and oil pipeline inspection technologies, missile launch systems, microfabrication of a novel chemical process called micro circulatory gas chromatography, and a 3D laser scanner. He believes that all students, including those not pursuing a technical career, can be inspired by and greatly benefit from learning the patterns of searching for truth that science provides. He also believes that technically minded students who do plan to pursue scientific or engineering careers should be strongly encouraged to keep their roots firmly planted in faith, history, literature, and law. These priorities are reflected in his other interests, which include reading great literature; researching his family history and writing the stories of his ancestors; and studying European and American history to learn from the repeating patterns of history. He enjoys reading with his three young children, baking and talking with his wife, and going on early-morning jogs in the quiet of pre-dawn. His principle loves are the Gospel of Jesus Christ, his family, and teaching in a way that invites others to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and powerfully engage in the compelling work of the last days.