Writing and Rhetoric 5

Think of the progymnasmata as a step-by-step apprenticeship in the art of writing and rhetoric. In Writing & Rhetoric Year 5, students build on the sturdy foundation they have developed through the progym exercises in the Writing & Rhetoric series. In this course, students continue honing the art of persuasive writing and speaking with Book 9: Description & Impersonation and Book 10: Thesis Part 1.

In the first semester of Year 5, students encounter description, which emphasizes the use of vivid language to describe people, nature, and processes. They also study impersonation, which introduces the modes of persuasion as a means of imitating the writing style and outlook of four famous individuals: journalist Nellie Bly, writer Henry Williamson, athlete Jesse Owens, and statesman Winston Churchill.

In the second semester, students begin a formal study of the thesis essay, which is the culmination of the progymnasmata as it deploys every skill that came before to make the strongest case for an idea. In preparation for the final thesis essay, the class enjoys two weeks of readings and Socratic dialog considering the question “What is Beauty?”

Throughout this course, students will strengthen and refine their skills in reading and annotation, discussion, composition, and delivery. Specific areas of focus include the modes of persuasion (pathos, ethos, and logos) and the use of various rhetorical devices.

High School Credit: This course is the equivalent of one high school credit in English composition.

Placement: Please read about our new process in our Student Parent Handbook.

• This course is designed for students who have built a strong foundation in writing and are familiar with the progymnasmata (the “preliminary exercises” on which the Writing & Rhetoric series is based). Students who have successfully completed the previous books in the Writing & Rhetoric series will be ideally prepared for this course.
• Incoming students should be familiar with elements of the persuasive essay (narrative, descriptive, and expository). Students should feel comfortable with discussing ideas and making connections to the text, outside reading, and life. Students will be expected to write a 6-paragraph essay in a week and will refine the skill of annotation to become more discerning readers. Students should be comfortable typing their essays.
• In addition to a strong command of grammar and syntax, students entering Writing & Rhetoric Year 5 should have experience using various rhetorical devices including contrary, synonym, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, periphrasis, anacolutha, and parallelism, with a mature vocabulary comprehension that is reflected in their writing style. Students writing at this level are comfortable using rubrics to provide peer feedback, to self-assess and to revise their own work.
• This course is geared toward rising 8th–9th graders. Rising 7th graders who have completed the previous level of Writing & Rhetoric are welcome, though in many cases 7th-grade students require additional support from a parent in conjunction with the course.
• If your student is new to the Writing & Rhetoric series and/or beyond 9th grade, we ask that you contact us for a placement recommendation. For further information on the Writing & Rhetoric series, please see the Classical Academic Press FAQ page.