Effective readers use specific strategies to help them better understand what they read.

What helps me make sense of what
I read?

How can I read more effectively?

generalize, evaluate, infer

paraphrase, compare & contrast, predict,

connotation & denotation

short stories, poems, novels, non-fiction

Writing conveys meaning,

What if writing did not exist?

How can I improve my writing to communicate better?

prewriting, draft, revise, edit, publish

types of writing: creative, informative, expository and persuasive

theme, outline, short stories,

poems, editorials, essays

Language mechanics and conventional usage enhance written and spoken communication.

What is the ladder into the middle class?

Why is it important to use words correctly?

How do I correctly communicate a complete thought?

parts of speech, punctuation, word usage, sentence structure, agreement of subject and verb

sentence and paragraph writing, editing, computer practice

Authors utilize different literary elements to convey a deeper meaning.

How does knowledge of literary elements enrich my understanding of literature?

How does purpose, my own and the author’s, influence my understanding?

story elements, character, point of view, theme, idioms, stereotype, foreshadowing, bias

short stories, nonfiction, novels, poetry

Great literature addresses questions about our experiences in life.

Should literature teach us something?

Why read different genres?

fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama

fiction & nonfiction, narratives, ballads, myths, fantasy, scifi, tall tales & fables

Being able to identify important information extends knowledge.

How can I use resource materials effectively?

How can improving my study skills help me in and out of school?

Is what we see and hear always true or accurate?

resource and reference materials, parts of a book, thesaurus and dictionary

web search engines, URLs, appendix