To be literate means that one has the ability to read and write. these two skills are not being taught as effectively as they should be because teachers frustrate themselves with the work load. however, literacy should be an easy matter to handle once you are equipped with the strategies needed to teach the skills. skills need to be taught in order so that students build upon existent knowledge. for instance, when teaching students to write an essay, we should first show them samples and teach them to analyze the elements contained in the essay. then they should learn to organize their ideas and paragraphs. after they have organized they need to learn to build or construct an outline. from the outline, which is their plan, they will be able to easily move from one paragraph to the next with much ease because they will be prepared. having written something does not mean that they are finished. they need to ensure that they edit what they wrote and proofread their final draft. it makes students feel more confident if their writing is displayed becuase they need to feel that they are doing the right thing. the skill needed to be literate include organization, scheduling of time, stimulation and interest to want to read and write, and practice.