Jenny is an experienced English teacher who has taught at all levels. She is the author of several titles in our English portfolio, in particular the English Basics series. She is also a co-author of Literacy Essentials.

Diane is an experienced English teacher who has taught at all levels. She is the author of several titles in our English portfolio, in particular the How to … and Building on … series. On leaving teaching she has taught adult literacy classes. She is also a co-author of Literacy Essentials.

Kathryn is an assistant HOLA English at Lincoln High School, Specialist Classroom Teacher and Professional Learning Team Facilitator. Teaching English since 2007, she is one of the authors of the Getting Familiar with the Unfamiliar titles in our senior English list. She is also a co-author of Literacy Essentials.

Students need to think about what they read and respond to questions that test their understanding of what they have read.

They also need to be able to write to communicate their own ideas in clear confident prose. This textbook is designed to support these essential skills.

This textbook provides 35 examples of modern writing, selected from New Zealand sources

Includes questions that will take a student from extracting basic facts, to appreciating writing techniques and then thinking more deeply about what a writer is really saying.

It also provides stepping off points for a student’s personal writing, both factual and creative, with a choice of writing task on every topic.

Students will practise writing with purpose and for specific audiences.

The way to improve at anything has always been to practise. This textbook encourages the growth of literacy confidence through practice in our students in New Zealand in the 21st century.