This course emphasizes the consolidation of the literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyze a range of challenging literary texts from  various periods, countries, and cultures; interpret and evaluate informational and graphic texts; and create  oral,  written, and media  texts in a variety of forms. An important focus  will be on using academic language coherently     and confidently, selecting the reading strategies best suited to particular  texts and  particular purposes  for reading, and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended to prepare students for university, college or the workplace.