The book opens as a beginner primer to Systemic Functional Linguistics, providing a brief but relevant background on theorists and methodologies as well as examples of different types of SFL analyses.

From there, the book explores how students can use linguistic tools such as the appraisal system as well as modality and identification analyses that made visible the ways in which language positioned people to think and behave in a particular ways, supporting critical literacy as well as ELA standards. The book provides insight and examples of student work showing students' differing experiences and levels of confidence in performing SFL with various genres, evidence of critical growth and language awareness in student dialogue, as well as growth and writing development was reflected in student writing. Resources and student examples will also be included to help teacher practitioners and teacher candidates increase student achievement in reading comprehension and argumentative writing.