General

· In order to communicate effectively and achieve a particular goal, writing and speaking must be skillful and appropriate.

· A person’s intellectual abilities and potential for growth are assessed by the way in which s/he writes and speaks.

· Reading , writing, listening, and speaking are interdependent in the development of literacy.

· Language is dynamic; therefore, what constitutes formal and informal language is constantly changing.

· Literature gives voice to issues and themes that transcend time and place.

Reading

· Reading allows individuals to reflect on the people, events, and places in their own lives.

· Literature can be interpreted in various ways; however, there must be a basis for that interpretation.

· Reading is an active process that engages the reader.

· Reading strategies must be adjusted to suit the purpose for reading, the genre, or the organizational format of the material being read.

Writing

· Writing is a vehicle by which one explores ideas.

· Writing is an effective outlet for expressing emotions and feelings.

· Writing is an ongoing process that provides the opportunity for reflection and growth.

Expanding Perspective

· Opinions and judgments are based upon criteria that come from a variety of perspectives.

· Withholding judgment allows one to consider unfamiliar concepts, opinions, behaviors, and beliefs until a fair assessment is reached.

· Personal decisions and actions may have far reaching consequences and effects.

· Interdependence of literary works contributes to a more comprehensive world view.

· We live in a diverse world that requires us to behave respectfully towards individual people despite their personal views and/or differences.