Students entering eighth grade continue to develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Eighth-grade students should be reading a variety of rich and challenging texts, closely, proficiently, and independently. As part of their close examination of literary text structure, eighth-grade students begin to examine how an author manipulates time to create mystery and suspense. Eighth graders move from examining an author’s use of rhetorical appeals into analyzing how an author uses rhetoric in texts. Throughout the year, eighth-grade students refine their written and oral communication skills to communicate to a variety of audiences. Students write shorter and longer narratives, arguments, and informational texts. Lastly, students in eighth grade participate in academic discussions and communicate appropriately to a variety of audiences while considering new ideas and diverse perspectives of others.