One of the main goals of the Communication Arts has always been to produce a knowledgeable and humane citizenry. Communication arts teachers engage their students in the study of quality literature from this and other cultures in order to expand their students’ knowledge and understanding of the variety of human experience. Certainly, literature study must remain a key component of any communication arts curriculum. In today’s world, however, strong emphasis must also be placed on the communication skills that students must be able to apply within and beyond the classroom.

Communication skills are central to both cognitive and social development. People read, write, talk, listen, view, and represent ideas visually to find and interpret information; to combine knowledge and experience; to reflect and relax; to explore possibilities and generate new ideas; to solve problems; to make decisions; and to communicate their experiences to others. Effective communication arts teachers have therefore always instructed their students in the skills necessary for the proficient use of these communication processes, and they must continue to do so.