This course is a ninth grade English course. We will focus on preparing students for the Keystone Literature exams that they will take at the end of their TENTH grade year, improve reading and writing abilities, and fostering a love of literature through the reading of more mature literature. To help prepare students for this exam we will cover the various different literary terms and aspects of both fiction and nonfiction literature. Students will read a variety of genres including novels, poetry, short stories, essays, speeches, and news articles. Students' vocabulary will be challenged, and it is expected that they memorize meanings of words from lists that coincide with texts. Students will be required to complete various essays and writing projects including a research paper in MLA format with proper in-text citations and a works cited page. The curriculum is jam-packed with great literary works that really pull the reader into the action. Buckle up! Your English education just got real.