Unit 2: Descriptive Writing: This unit explores poetic writing and short stories. The unit primarily focuses on creating literary style utilizing descriptive imagery, literary devices, and powerful symbolism to enhance the reader’s ability to create multiple meanings from the text. Students examine how word choice, phrasing, and rhyme scheme create tone and rhythm, which enhances the writer’s ability to use the written or spoken word to elucidate upon character motives, plot analysis, or the theoretical or metaphysical aspects of human consciousness. Throughout the unit, students will study the recommended California 9th grade poetic reading samples from Edgar Allan Poe. Students will consider why Poe is revered as one of the greatest American authors. In addition, excerpts from a variety or classic and modern poets will be used to demonstrate diversity of structure and content in poetic expression. Students will make connections between the real life events of the author and the emotional and cognitive explorations of these events. The unit will also be linked with the Halloween theme, culminating with students spending Halloween sharing their poetry and/or short stories with the class.