Because, let’s face it, these damn kids have already started bringing their cooties into the room anyway. May as well make it a party and lean in with a new thematic unit, right?

Alright, ELA teachers, I see you. You’re tired of the same old routine, juggling the classics, trying to keep students engaged while also secretly wondering if any of it is sticking. And let’s be real: teaching the literary canon while also prepping students for the million standardized tests they have to take can feel like you’re running a never-ending race. But what if I told you there’s a way to seriously capture your students’ attention while teaching them the skills they actually need?

Yep, we’re diving into the dark, twisty, and surprisingly relevant world of disease. It’s not just about plagues and pandemics (though we’ve got some of that too); it’s about understanding how humanity reacts when the stakes are high. And trust me, your students will be hooked from the first story.

But here’s the real magic: this unit doesn’t just engage students—it builds their ELA skills in a way that’s so seamless they won’t even realize how much they’re learning. Sound good? Let’s break it down. Did I trick some kids into writing lit analysis essays. Yes, I did. And so can you.

Easy-Peasy Lemon-Squeezy

First off, let’s talk about ease. You push out one document—just ONE—for each story. Inside, you’ll find everything: a text introduction, a link to the story (and read-along audio, thank you very much), plus guided questions that teach students to select and embed text evidence like pros. Oh, and did I mention there’s a paragraph writing prompt, too? You could teach this unit cold and still look like a superstar. Seriously, the prep work is done for you.

This is exactly what you need when life gets busy, or when you’re on your third cup of coffee by first period. Plus, it’s perfect for sub plans because it’s all laid out, ready to go. But beyond that? This unit builds confidence—in both you and your students. They’re practicing real-world skills like pulling evidence and writing body paragraphs, all while reading stories that actually grab their attention.

And if it gets you through a day with a migraine or a hangover, who am I to judge?

Hits All the Skills Your District is Harping On

Let’s get to the good stuff: close reading, text evidence, and MLA formatting. We know those are make-or-break skills in high school ELA, and your students will master them with this unit. Each story is packed with opportunities to work with preselected excerpts. They’ll start small, and before they know it, they’re selecting their own evidence, embedding it fluidly, and boosting their confidence with each passing day.

And listen—I get it. You’ve probably had students groan when it’s time to write an essay. But here’s the beauty of this unit: students will write essay body paragraphs without even realizing it! In the words of one of my own students: “Well, damn. I already wrote half of it. Might as well just finish it.” They’ll move through the text evidence process so naturally, they’ll be halfway through a literary analysis essay before they notice. I’ve even had students say, “Wait, you tricked me into writing an essay!” Exactly. That’s the point.

Going Deeper: Thematic Comparisons

And we’re not stopping at individual stories. Oh no. The unit takes it up a notch by grouping stories for comparison essays. By the end, your students will be dissecting themes like it’s second nature. They’ll tackle questions like: What happens when a protagonist’s kindness is met with disregard? How does foreshadowing build tension? What does apathy really cost us? The comparison essays will practically write themselves, and all you have to do is guide them through the process (thanks to the Literary Analysis Rough Draft documents included, of course).

What’s Included:

• 7 Short Story Reading and Analysis Assignments:
  • Patient Zero by Tananarive Due
  • Morning Child by Gardner Dozois
  • Night Surf by Stephen King
  • Whatever Virus by Mort Laitner
  • The Dying Man by Nasrullah Khan
  • A Wish for a Good Young Country Doctor by Alan Gurganus
  • The Fugitive by T. Coraghessan Boyle
• 3 Guided Literary Analysis Organizers:
  • The Dying Man and A Wish for a Good Young Country Doctor: Essay Topic—Kindness and altruism met with disregard.
  • Patient Zero and Morning Child: Essay Topic—Foreshadowing as a storytelling device.
  • Night Surf and Whatever Virus: Essay Topic—The social consequences of apathy.

This unit also pairs beautifully with the E2E Diseases that Changed the World Research Essay to create a 4-6 week powerhouse of a unit that will leave your students mastering literary analysis and ready to tackle independent writing with confidence.

So, what are you waiting for? Click here for a quick video tour to see the magic in action. This is the unit that’s going to shake things up in your classroom, give your students the tools they need, and maybe—just maybe—make your life a whole lot easier. Lord knows writing it was a giant pain in my ass–save yourself!

Keywords: ELL, SPED, secondary ELA, dyslexia friendly, ELA, enraged2engaged, study guides, classic stories, short stories, digital learning format, lesson plans, unit plans, contemporary fiction, literature, writing organizers, analysis writing, using text evidence, digital unit, paperless assignments