From Discord to Discourse: A Collection of Contemporary Canadian Essays is part of McGraw-Hill Ryerson’s iLit Collection of supplementary student resources for high school English courses. This title is a 156-page, soft-cover book that includes a rich collection of essays from various perspectives, intended to stimulate debate and discussion. This resource is designed to be appropriate for the grade 11 or 12 reader.

The multi-genre iLit Collection presents infinitely inspiring selections with high school student appeal, written specifically for iLit by Canadian authors such as Joseph Boyden, Mark Kingwell, Martha Brooks, and many more. Eight iLit student resources will be published in print form in 2011 and 2012. ELA educators also have many flexible options to build their own iLit student resources. iLit student resources can be purchased by searching and choosing from the selections available in the online iLit Digital Collection, and building customized print or digital resources for high school English courses – purchase only what you need and want! Visit www.iLit.ca to learn more.

Section 1: The Narrative Essay


I Witness

by Michael Redhill


What Do You See When You Look at My Facebook?

by Micah Toub


I Love Smoking

by Joshua Knelman


Nobody Ever

by Ivan E. Coyote


Making Peace with Change

by Asna Adhami


The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You

by S. Bear Bergman


Susie Bernier (1914–2005)

by Jared Bland


Better Late Than Never

by Rupinder Gill


Section 2: The Expository Essay


Bad Improvements

by Mark Kingwell


Faking It

by Emily Landau


Billy and Us

by Marcus Gee


How To Be an Undividual

by David Koloff


Pardon Me, I’m Canadian

by Dominic Ali


Best Face Forward: The Global Rise of Plastic Surgery

by Katie Addleman


The Worth of a Boy

by Michele Shapiera


Remote Control: The Corporate Hold on Media

by Antonia Zerbisias


The Science of Happiness

by Kevin Chong


Conventionally Speaking

by Steven W. Beattie


Section 3: The Persuasive Essay


Creatures of Story

by Robert J. Wiersema


The Case for Ending Invasive Research on Chimpanzees

by Andrew Westoll


Multiculturalism: Canada’s Brand

by Marina Jimenez


N(O) Canada

by Stephen Marche


The War on Second Chances

by Sean Fine


The Fat-shaming Epidemic

by Julie Devaney


Making Note of Our Lives

by Alex Boyd

Glossary

Credits

Each selection in From Discord to Discourse: A Collection of Contemporary Canadian Essays features:


• An author biography and photograph at the beginning of the selection to bring the author to life for the reader


• Before Reading activities that allow the reader to activate prior knowledge, make predictions, set goals for reading, and preview the text


• During Reading activities and questions to support the reader’s comprehension, attention to text structure, integration of prior knowledge, and confirmation, rejection, or modification of before-reading predictions


• Tips in the margin, focused on vocabulary and grammar


• “What inspired me to write this selection?”, where the author summarizes his or her intention in writing the selection, helping students in the critical analysis of the selection itself, as well as providing an excellent example of metacognition


• After Reading activities, where students are asked “Reading for Meaning,” “Critical Literacy,” “Student Voice,” “Understanding Form and Style,” “Listening and Speaking,” and “Metacognition” questions


• Beyond Reading activities that pose extension questions, which may be used for assessment of learning or a way to differentiate instruction


• Visual Elements in every selection that may be in the form of art or photographs to support visual literacy


• A Glossary of Literary Terms, which appears at the end of the book.