Students are able to identify characteristics of various literary forms. Eighth grade students are able to select and use different forms of writing for specific purposes such as to inform, persuade, or entertain. Students produce multi-paragraph compositions with varied sentence structure. Eighth grade students edit their writing based on their knowledge of grammar and usage, spelling, punctuation, and other conventions of written language. Students produce final, error free pieces of written composition on a regular basis.
Students use citations competently and write by following accepted formats for research reports.
Eighth grade students present oral and written reports, including presentations strengthened by visuals and media. I, students practice all forms of writing. An emphasis is placed on organizing logical arguments with clearly expressed related definitions, theses, and evidence. Students write to persuade and to report and describe. English I students read extensively in multiple genres from world literature such as selected stories, dramas, novels, and poetry originally written in English or translated to English from oriental, classical Greek, European, African, South American and North American cultures.