Students will be taught creative ways to elevate their writing by reading excerpts from some of the greatest essays, novels, poems, and short stories in English literature. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding how an author's choice of diction, syntax, and figurative language creates imagery and mood. Students will have the opportunity to share their favorite books and to analyze the writing of their favorite authors. The class will begin with a mystery game that introduces an excerpt from a classic piece of literature and the opportunity to learn some literary trivia through video clips. Students will identify the mood created and the word choice used by the author to create that mood and try to guess the author or title. Students will then share their excerpt from a favorite book, poem, short story, or novel while other students attempt to guess the author and title. The student will then follow the teacher's lead and analyze the diction and syntax that creates a particular feeling in the reader. Discussion will include peer debate where students will defend their analysis through text evidence.  In order to participate, it will be necessary for students to share the title, author, and excerpt of their choice PRIOR to the lesson. This will allow me to incorporate student choice and give special recognition to students who are able to analyze their excerpt. The second half of class will focus on writing based on the model text of the day (teacher selected). By incorporating the I do, we do, you do method of teaching, all children will be supported as they discover new books, poems, and short stories AND learn how to write like their favorite authors.