This competency-based course is designed to develop reading comprehension, literary analysis, writing, listening and speaking skills. After reviewing the writing process and persuasive rhetoric, students grow in their ability to use a rubric to guide the composition and evaluation of the persuasive essay. Students discuss, analyze and interpret poetry, the short story, technical writing, and the screenplay; they produce a varied writing portfolio: a persuasive essay, a descriptive essay, an analysis of conflict and character in the short story, an autobiographical essay, an original poem, a career research report, and a film review.