How do words convey meaning? This book opens with a beginner's primer to the study of the relationship between words and their practical functions. After providing a brief but relevant background on the theorists and methodologies of systemic functional linguistics (SFL), the author-a longtime educator-explores how students can use linguistic tools to enhance their own reading comprehension and argumentative writing. The book provides: Examples of different types of SFL analyses, such as the appraisal system and modality and identification analyses, which bring visibility to the ways that language has positioned people to think and behave; Evidence of critical growth and language awareness in student dialogue and writing development; and Resources and examples to help teacher practitioners and teacher candidates increase student achievement and support critical literacy and ELA standards.