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The English curriculum at CWA centers on literary reading, process writing and critical thinking. Effective writing (analytical and creative) is a keystone of the scope and sequence with each grade advancing skill levels in a developmentally appropriate manner. Competence in grammar is a major goal of the 9th and 10th grade. The literature read over the four years of high school is a balance of the classical Western Civilization canon (Homer, Sophocles, Shakespeare, etc.) and contemporary women ( Mary Shelley, Margaret Atwood), minority (Maxine Hong Kingston, Langston Hughes) and non-Western writers (Louise Erdrich, Athol Fugard). Note: Seniors have the opportunity to take AP English to prepare for the AP Literature exam. In addition to the required four-year curriculum, students may also take electives in the department: Newsmagazine Journalism, Yearbook Journalism and Creative Writing.