array(1) {
  ["cookie"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["has_js"]=>
    string(1) "1"
  }
}

Writing and Rhetoric 4

Students taking this course continue in the trajectory of the Writing & Rhetoric series using Book 7: Encomium & Vituperation and Book 8: Comparison.

During the first semester, students learn how to craft essays praising a virtue (an encomium) and blaming a vice (vituperation). They focus on the following skills: discerning the main idea; utilizing hyperbole and thesis; incorporating background and supportive detail, biography, and autobiography; noting the good and poor qualities present in a person or event; contrasting virtuous behavior and vice, and crafting effective conclusions that encourage readers either to emulate virtue or eschew vice.

After completing the first semester, students spend approximately six weeks focusing on a research paper unit. Students will learn the seven steps to writing their own research paper: selecting a topic, getting an overview of the topic, outlining the paper, rounding up sources, taking notes, organizing note cards and completing an outline, and writing the paper while avoiding plagiarism.

In the second semester, building on existing skills, students develop the art of comparison. They learn how to craft a comparative composition that sets two persons, events, ideas, texts, or objects side by side for assessment. In learning this art of comparison, students also study elements of critical analysis, assessment, and judgment.

After completion of this course, students are well on their way to becoming master writers and effective orators. For a closer look at the texts used in this course, please follow these links and click “Look Inside”: Book 7: Encomium & Vituperation and Book 8: Comparison.

Placement: Please read about our new process in the 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 discussing ideas and making connections to texts and to life. They will become more discerning readers through these discussion skills and by refining the skill of annotation.
  • Students will be expected to write, edit and revise a 6-paragraph essay every other week.
  • Students should be comfortable typing essays, although neatly handwritten short assignments are acceptable.
  • Students in this course should have a strong command of grammar and a basic understanding of syntax before enrolling.
  • This course is aimed at rising 7th–8th graders. Rising 6th graders who have completed the previous level of Writing & Rhetoric are welcome, though in many cases 6th-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 much beyond 8th 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.
Image of text book for Writing and Rhetoric 4

Required Materials:
Books and supplies are not included in the purchase of the course.

Optional Resources:

These audio files allow students to engage their sense of hearing and their listening intelligence as Greg Lowe delivers the readings aloud in a thoughtful manner.
Commonplace Journal (This can be a spiral-bound notebook, bound journal, or loose-leaf notebook.)

Mr. Belfry Optional Course Texts:

Amy Morgan

[email protected]

Amy Morgan is Scholé Academy’s Writing & Rhetoric and Well-Ordered Language Department chair. She earned her BA in liberal arts at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, and continued her education with an MA in TESOL/applied linguistics at Indiana University in Bloomington. For over 20 years, Amy has taught English to speakers of other languages in university, community, and private contexts. Additionally, Amy educated her own children at home in grades PreK–8. When Amy’s not teaching, you might find her serving families and children in vulnerable circumstances, hosting international guests, or taking a walk at a nearby state park.

Amy Travis

[email protected]

Amy Travis holds a BA in psychology and religious education with additional training in behavioral modification, counseling, and missions. She has lived in 4 countries outside the United States and studied multiple cultures and languages. She has been homeschooling her four children for over 20 years. She also has had the privilege of teaching adult ESL programs, high school history and literature courses, and middle school reading and grammar classes outside the home.  On any given day, you will find Amy preparing lessons, conducting a new project with her children, experimenting with a creative meal for her family, or simply enjoying a restful time contemplating the goodness of God.

Nathan Dickinson

[email protected]

Nathan Dickinson, incoming Chair of the Canterbury House of Studies, holds a M.Div. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently serves as the planting priest of Church of the Good Shepherd in Summersville, West Virginia. He is a West Virginia native who has had approximately a decade of teaching experiences in local churches and missionary settings. He has taught the Bible in Kenya, Zambia, Myanmar, and Jamaica, and has taught English (among other things) to students in the Christian school setting. He loves helping students see the beauty of God in Holy Scripture and helping students learn to engage in meaningful dialogue.

His two boys (Barnabas and Martin) keep his home life interesting and full of adventure! When he is not adventuring with his wife and boys, he is looking for a good cup of coffee, a good book, and a good conversation.

Quarter 1

Writing and Rhetoric: Book 7

  1. Weeks 1-6 Gathering tools for encomia and vituperation writing
  2. Weeks 7-8 Writing encomia and vituperations 

Quarter 2

Writing and Rhetoric: Book 7

  1. Weeks 1-8 Writing encomia and vituperations 

Quarter 3

Writing and Rhetoric: Book 8

  1. Weeks 1-8 Planning and writing a research paper (Book 7)
  2. Weeks 5-8 Gathering tools for comparison writing (Book 8)

(Note: The course map indicates overlap between the research paper unit and introducint the comparison writing unit. In part, this is because different instructors take different lengths of time on the research paper. In part, this is also because students may be completing final stages of the research paper unit as homework, while the comparison unit begins during class time.)

Quarter 4

Writing and Rhetoric: Book 8

  1. Weeks 1-8 Writing comparisons

Red checkmarkComputer: You will need a stable, reliable computer, running with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later), or XP (with SP3 or later). We do not recommend using an iPad or other tablet for joining classes. An inexpensive laptop or netbook would be much better solutions, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Please note that Chromebooks are allowed but not preferred, as they do not support certain features of the Zoom video conference software such as breakout sessions and annotation, which may be used by our teachers for class activities.

Red checkmarkHigh-Speed Internet Connection: You will also need access to high-speed Internet, preferably accessible via Ethernet cable right into your computer. Using Wi-Fi may work, but will not guarantee you the optimal use of your bandwidth. The faster your Internet, the better. We recommend using a connection with a download/upload speed of 5/1 Mbps or better. You can test your Internet connection here.

Red checkmarkWebcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)

Red checkmarkHeadset: We recommend using a headset rather than a built-in microphone and speakers. Using a headset reduces the level of background noise heard by the entire class. Headset Recommendations: USB | 3.5mm

Red checkmarkZoom: We use a web conferencing software called Zoom for our classes, which enables students and teachers to gather from around the globe face to face in real time. Zoom is free to download and easy to use. unnamed-e1455142229376 To download Zoom:

  1. Visit zoom.us/download.
  2. Click to download the first option listed, Zoom Client for Meetings.
  3. Open and run the installer on your computer.
  4. In August, students will be provided with instructions and a link for joining their particular class.

Red checkmarkScanner: In this class, students frequently submit homework assignments by scanning pages from their workbooks. Students and/or their parents should have easy access to a scanner and the ability to use it.

Z

Step 1

Z

Step 2

Z

Step 3

Z

Step 4

Explore our courses!

First, read the available course descriptions, noting prerequisites, target grades, and course objectives. If you think your student is prepared for the course, go ahead and register. After registration, a placement assessment may be provided to students, depending on the course and the student's previous enrollment with Scholé Academy. Registration is finalized when the student's placement assessment has been returned by the course instructor with placement confirmation.

 

All Courses | By Grade

Read the Student-Parent Handbook.

Please take careful note of our teaching philosophy, our technology requirements, our school policies, the parent agreement, and the distinctions between our grade levels.

Double-check the course section dates and times.

Make sure they don't conflict with other activities in your schedule or other courses you are purchasing. Our system will not catch double-bookings!

You're ready to add course selections to your cart!

Our Assistant to the Principal will be in touch with you after your enrollment to help you with next steps, including any placement evaluations that may be required for your course selections.

This registration will be finalized when the student's placement assessment has been returned by the course instructor with placement confirmation.

Want to hear about our upcoming courses?

Join our email list to receive the latest news from Scholé Academy.

You have Successfully Subscribed!