Students are asked to read and understand “texts” in a variety of genres and media. All analysis begins with comprehension: a solid understanding of facts, ideas and themes. Students build deeper and more complex analysis by looking carefully at contexts, by drawing on their own personal experience, and by developing their understanding of genre and conventions.

First and foremost, students work to write with clarity and coherence, showing an understanding and a respect for their readers. Furthermore, students work to express their ideas in a range of media, from business letters to poetry and from podcasts to film. In all their works, students pay close attention to content, structure and convention.

Throughout English class, students must express their ideas orally, in formal and informal discussions, in debates, in presentations, and even through acting. Oral expression assessments ask students to speak clearly and thoughtfully, and to listen closely to the ideas of others. Students are expected to demonstrate respect, poise, and clarity in the way they address their peers and teachers in both formal and informal settings.

The Work Habits strand reflects the effort students put into completing homework, studying regularly, and working in class. In English, we put special emphasis on reading thoroughly and consistently and on working hard throughout the writing process, including in brainstorming, planning, and revising stages.

Good writing begins with clear thinking. The content strand focuses on the meat of student writing: how clear and logical their ideas are, how well developed their details, and how well suited their words are to their task. The nature of the content strand depends strongly on the kind of writing being assessed: in a short story, content is the development of experiences, events and characters; in a thesis paper, content is the complexity of thinking, the clarity of logic and the strength of research.

No single formula can help students write for all tasks. Rather, students must learn to organize their ideas according to their purpose and their audience, finding the best way to lead a reader forward. Whether writing a poem or an editorial, students must consider how to engage and orient their reader, how to guide them through the various ideas, images or actions that make up their text, and how best to conclude. Strong organization often requires careful planning or major revision as students think and rethink how best to present their ideas.

Students must develop a strong grasp of the fundamental conventions of standard English for capitalization, punctuation and spelling. In addition, students work to improve their command of grammar and a rich vocabulary. Students also should know how to adjust their language, including word choice, tone and grammar, to fit their purpose and audience. The conventions of standard English are taught and assessed not in isolation but throughout the writing, revising and editing process.

The Work Habits strand reflects the effort students put into completing all assignments in their workshop classes, including readings, discussions, presentations, and, of course, writing. Students are expected to work extensively on their writing both during in-class writing time and at home. Learning to write well means not just working hard, but also planning carefully, paying attention to detail, persisting in the face of difficulties, and using time effectively.