The academic focus of English 10 will be on preparing students for the remainder of high school, college, or the workforce. A strong emphasis is placed on critical thinking, and students will be required to think critically in each of the core components of the course: reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. The reading portion will involve learning strategies for improving reading of fiction and informational text, as well as familiarizing students with contemporary and classical literature, recreational reading, and library use. The writing portion will focus on the writing process by engaging students in the phases of the writing and experimenting with the various modes of writing. Grammar will build upon prior knowledge of the parts of speech and how to apply the rules of grammar in writing. Vocabulary will incorporate knowing and using literary terms throughout the year to ensure retention, as well as 150 vocabulary words geared toward post-secondary tests taken the junior year.