Course builds upon the students' prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and mechanics of writing, and usually includes the four aspects of language use: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Usually, the various genres of literature are introduced and defined, with writing exercises often linked to reading selections.

Course offers a balanced focus on composition and literature. Typically, students learn about the alternate aims and audiences of written compositions by writing persuasive, critical, and creative multi paragraph thematic essays and compositions. The study of literature encompasses various genres as students improve their reading rate and comprehension and develop the skills to determine authors' intent and theme and to recognize the techniques employed by the author to achieve the goal.

Course continues to develop students' writing skills, emphasizing clear, logical writing patterns, word choice, and usage, as students write essays and begin to learn the techniques of writing research papers. Students continue to read works of literature, which often form the backbone of the writing assignments. Literary conventions and stylistic devices may receive greater emphasis than in previous courses

Course blends composition and literature into a cohesive whole, as students write critical and comparative analyses of selected literature. Typically, multi paragraph essays predominate as the form of student composition, but one or more major research papers may also be written.