Language arts

Language arts is the general academic subject area dealing with developing comprehension and capacity for use of written and oral language.

Traditionally, the primary divisions in the language arts are Literature and Language, where language in this case refers to both linguistics, and specific languages.

According to the American National Council of Teachers of English, the five strands of the Language arts are reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing (visual literacy).

Reading
Reading, by definition, is the ability and knowledge of a language that allows comprehension by grasping the meaning of written or printed characters, words, or sentences. Reading involves a wide variety of print and nonprint texts that help a reader gain an understanding of what is being read. Reading allows a reader to acquire new information, gain knowledge and understanding, and for personal fulfillment. Reading of texts that are often included in educational curriculum include fiction, nonfiction, classic, and contemporary works.

Composition
Composition is defined as the combination of distinct parts or elements to form a whole and the manner in which these elements are combined or related. The following are examples of Composition in Language Arts:
 * The art or act of composing a literary work
 * The structure or organization of literature
 * A short essay, especially one written as an academic exercise (an essay is a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative) There are many types of short essays, including, but not limited to:
 * 1) Five-paragraph essay
 * 2) Argumentative essay
 * 3) Cause and effect essay
 * 4) Comparative essay.

Compositions may also include:
 * Narrative Essays
 * Expository Essays
 * Persuasive Essays
 * Technical Writing