Renaissance Humanism in Hamlet and The Birth of Venus

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 12 — English IV

• Goal 2: The learner will inform an audience by exploring general principles at work in life and literature.
  • Objective 2.03: Compose texts (in print and non-print media) that help the audience understand a principle or theory by:
    - researching experience for relevant principles that relate to themes in literature and life.
    - presenting a thesis, supporting it, and considering alternative perspectives on the topic.
    -adjusting the diction, tone, language, and method of presentation to the audience.
• Goal 3: The learner will be prepared to enter issues of public concern as an advocate.
  • Objective 3.02: Organize and deliver an argument so that an intended audience respects it by:
    - wording the claim clearly.
    - specifying reasons in support of the claim that are likely to be convincing.
    -- adopting an appropriate tone and stance toward the issue.
• Goal 4: The learner will analyze and critique texts from various perspectives and approaches.
  • Objective 4.01: Develop critiques that enable an audience to judge claims and arguments by:
    -establishing and applying clear, credible criteria for evaluation.
    - substantiating assessments with reasons and evidence.
  • Objective 4.02: Develop critiques that give an audience:
    - an appreciation of how themes relate among texts.
    -an understanding of how authors' assumptions, cultural backgrounds, and social values affect texts.
    -an understanding of how more than one critical approach affects interpretation.
• Goal 5: The learner will deepen understanding of British literature through exploration and extended engagement.
  • Objective 5.01: Explore British literature by:
    - recognizing common themes that run through works, using evidence from the texts to substantiate ideas.
    - relating the cultural and historical contexts to the literature and identifying perceived ambiguities, prejudices, and complexities.
    - making associations between historical and current viewpoints.
    -understanding how literary movements influence writers.
  • Objective 5.02: Extend engagement with selected works of British literature by:
    - observing how the imaginative experience of literature broadens and enriches real life.
    - relating style, meaning, and genre (including fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry).
    - applying literary, grammatical, and rhetorical terms of literature.
    - demonstrating in various print and non-print media the significance of works.
    -discerning the effect of interpreting literature from various critical perspectives.
• Goal 6: The learner will apply conventions of grammar and language usage.
  • Objective 6.01: Apply knowledge of literary terms, grammar, and rhetoric in order to write clearly, succinctly, and accurately by:
    - understanding how to use and apply grammatical, metaphorical, or rhetorical devices.
    - recognizing how to use different language conventions (such as loose or periodic sentences, effective use of passive voice, or the importance of strong verbs).
    - revising writing to enhance voice and style, sentence variety, subtlety of meaning, and tone in considerations of questions being addressed, purpose, audience, and genres.
    - contrasting use of language conventions of authors in different time periods of British literature.
    - analyzing the power of standard usage over nonstandard usage in formal settings such a job interviews, academic presentations, or public speaking events.
  • Objective 6.02: Discern and correct errors in speaking and writing by:
    - reviewing and refining purposeful use of various sentence types.
    - editing for correct punctuation, spelling, mechanics, and standard edited American English.
    - using appropriate transitional words and phrases.

Grade 12 — Advanced Placement English Literature

• Goal 1: The learner will express and reflect upon reactions to print and non-print resources.
  • Objective 1.02: Respond to resources to:
    • demonstrate an understanding of cultural, historical, and/or social implications with precision, sensitivity, energy, and imagination.
    • discern comparisons and contrasts among texts that propose different ideas.
    • understand the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers.
    • recognize features of the author's use of language and how the reader relates these features to his/her own writing.
    • examine his/her own response in light of peers' responses.
• Goal 2: The learner will inform an audience by exploring literature to explain its artistry and its underlying social and cultural values.
  • Objective 2.01: Locate, process, and comprehend texts that:
    • explain themes, issues, and concepts in order to relate complex issues from a variety of historical, stylistic, and critical stances.
    • examine significant comparisons and similarities among texts that propose different ideas related to similar concepts.
  • Objective 2.03: Publish works to enable an audience to understand a principle, theory or artistic technique by:
    • presenting a focused thesis with supporting detail and commentary.
    • adjusting diction, tone, language and method of presentation to the audience.
• Goal 3: The learner will develop an argument which addresses and assesses the human condition through a study of universal themes.
  • Objective 3.01: Recognize and define universally relevant issues by:
    • using a variety of texts and personal reflections.
    • specifying their complex nature.
    • tracing their commonalities.
  • Objective 3.02: Compose, organize and deliver a convincing argument by:
    • making a concise thesis.
    • using credible reasoning and convincing detail to support the argument.
    • demonstrating an intellectually mature tone and stance.
• Goal 4: The learner will explore and provide critical perspectives through deliberate and thorough analysis, interpretation and evaluation of text.
  • Objective 4.01: Develop organized critical analyses with focus and support to:
    • provide the audience with a clear, credible thesis that establishes intent.
    • substantiate the thesis with general and specific textual references including quotations.
    • elaborate on textual support with insightful commentary.
    • develop and organize ideas in coherent, persuasive, precise language culminating in a conclusion that is not a summary.
  • Objective 4.02: Provide organized, structured critical analyses by:
    • creating an awareness and appreciation of thematic connections among works.
    • conveying an understanding of historical background and social values based on different cultural perspectives.
• Goal 5: The learner will engage in an intensive study of representative works of recognized literary merit from various genres and time periods with a strong focus on the 16th through the 21st century.
  • Objective 5.01: Demonstrate an understanding of literary works by:
    • analyzing textual detail.
    • exploring historical context as well as social and cultural values.
    • evaluating an author's style, including syntax, diction, figurative language, and literary devices.
    • considering organization, subject, occasion, audience, purpose, and speaker.
    • sharing thoughtful discussion in the company of his/her peers.
  • Objective 5.02: Explore works in the context of a variety of critical approaches such as political, societal, and philosophical.
• Goal 6: The learner will demonstrate understanding and mastery of standard written English and stylistic maturity.
  • Objective 6.01: Demonstrate an understanding of the conventions of language by:
    • employing appropriate grammar and mechanics.
    • applying knowledge of diction.
    • revising writing to enhance voice and style, sentence variety, subtlety of meaning, and tone in consideration of questions being addressed, purpose, audience, and genres.
  • Objective 6.02: Exhibit stylistic maturity by:
    • using an effective writing process.
    • utilizing a variety of sentence structures.
    • incorporating clear transitions.
    • developing and appropriately using a wide-ranging vocabulary.
    • controlling rhetorical devices effectively, including tone, voice, and diction.