Freshman English provides the foundations for analyzing literature though writing, reading, and speaking and through an exploration of various texts, genres, forms, and styles throughout Western civilization. The course serves to establish the relationship between themes and devices and provides a comprehensive overview of literary conventions including, but not limited to: symbolism, diction, sensory detail, narrative point of view, and irony. Students learn the best practices for close reading and annotating as well as the literary analysis essay format and execution. Students also strengthen their writing through various revision strategies and peer workshops.