The Five Engines of Literacy
A coherent system from foundations to fluent thinking
Language builds knowledge. Knowledge fuels thinking. Thinking changes lives.
Knowledge Engine
Background Knowledge
and Concept Development
and Concept Development
Builds the mental models that make sense of text.
- Content knowledge
- Schema development
- Disciplinary literacy
- World knowledge
Word Engine
Vocabulary
and Morphology
and Morphology
Builds the language that powers comprehension.
- Academic vocabulary
- Morphology
- Word learning strategies
- Multiple meanings
- Word consciousness
Sentence Engine
Syntax and
Rhetorical Control
Rhetorical Control
Builds the structures that carry meaning across ideas.
- Sentence construction
- Syntax awareness
- Rhetorical syntax
- Sentence variety
- Grammar for meaning
Structure Engine
Comprehension
and Text Structure
and Text Structure
Builds understanding through increasingly complex texts.
- Text structure
- Genre and domain knowledge
- Inference and evidence
- Author's craft
- Multimodal texts
Argument Engine
Reasoning, Evidence,
and Written Expression
and Written Expression
Builds the ability to analyze, evaluate, and create with purpose.
- Evidence integration
- Argument and counterclaim
- Disciplinary writing
- Source synthesis
- Speaking and listening
Monitor
Adjust
Apply METACOGNITION The spine that powers all five engines
Adjust
Apply METACOGNITION The spine that powers all five engines
From learning
to lifelong use TRANSFER Extending literacy beyond the classroom
to lifelong use TRANSFER Extending literacy beyond the classroom
K–5
Building the Engines
Foundations · Fluency · Growing independence
A Coherent K–12 System
Same engines. Greater depth. Stronger thinkers.
6–12
Using the Engines
Analysis · Argument · Synthesis · Real-world impact