Students will…

• recognize, value, and enjoy great literature;
• warrant the value of storytelling, prose, and poetry;
• harbor an emotional connection to characters, stories, and the written word;
• read frequently for the sake of enjoyment;
• be intrinsically motivated to read beyond what is required; and
• practice discernment in what they read.

Students will…

• have a nuanced understanding of different worldviews, complex themes, and challenging issues as well as an awareness of their implications;
• read and carefully annotate texts that directly challenge their point of view;
• be dissatisfied with simplistic thinking;
• identify fallacious thought patterns;
• thoughtfully engage with reliable sources to support thinking; and 
• uphold Scripture as the ultimate authority.

Students will…

• write thoughtful, unique theses/claims that are grounded by a sound close reading of the given text;
• warrant theses/claims without fallacy;
• respond to essential questions about an author’s worldview;
• practice vigilance in English grammar and conventions because they understand the implications of careless grammatical choices;
• draw from an extensive vocabulary to use accessible and academic language;
• communicate with confidence;
• speak and write with personal conviction;
• present with humility and authority;
• know and address a specific audience; and
• utilize imagination and creativity in a variety of writing and speaking practices.

Students will…

• pursue truth and understanding as opposed to being perceived as right;
• approach topics with firmness and resilience;
• graciously identify bad thinking and be dissatisfied with exchanges of ignorance;
• have the fortitude to disagree with others and defend a position unashamedly;
• listen and extend grace to those with whom they disagree, resisting the impulse to bludgeon with truth;
• speak with confidence that the truth is inherently compelling and convicting;
• practice virtue in their pursuit of ideas and interactions with one another;
• apply a nuanced understanding of texts, claims, and worldviews; and
• test their ideas against the claims of literary works and ultimately, Scripture.