Rhetoric Thesis

Rhetoric Thesis prepares students to meet the challenges of college-level writing in the liberal arts tradition. The thesis paper is the culmination of classical students’ high school scholarship, as it provides an opportunity for them to showcase not only their content knowledge but also their ability to engage persuasively in “the Great Conversation.”

For purposes of clarity, this course should not only be considered for high school seniors, but also for any student wanting to write a substantial thesis and corresponding speech for delivery.

The thesis process—from the initial stage of finding a topic to the final day of presentation—is a jungle within which many students quickly find themselves lost. This course is a step-by-step guide that leads students through the process of writing a thesis paper, helping them avoid the typical false starts and dead ends of the journey. The course instructor walks alongside students as they engage in the challenging task of preparing and presenting a thoughtful, original response to an issue.

Grounded in classical rhetorical theory, this course guides students through the five canons of rhetoric, piece by piece, as they write the 6 sections of their oratio. Students will ultimately become thinkers who can combine their wit, wisdom, eloquence, reason, and ethics for future writing endeavors. Rhetoric Thesis prepares students to meet the challenges of college-level writing in the liberal arts tradition. The thesis paper is the culmination of classical students’ high school scholarship, as it provides an opportunity for them to showcase not only their content knowledge but also their ability to engage persuasively in “the Great Conversation.”

Grounded in classical rhetorical theory, this course guides students through the 5 canons of rhetoric, piece by piece, as they write the 6 sections of their oratio. Students will ultimately become thinkers who can combine their wit, wisdom, eloquence, reason, and ethics for future writing endeavors.

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

• Students should have a working knowledge and familiarity with the informal fallacies (a good preparation would be Scholé Academy’s Informal Logic course or The Art of Argument text).
• Students should be able to apply the principles of formal argument construction (along the lines of Scholé Academy’s Formal Logic course or The Discovery of Deduction text; also, Scholé Academy’s Persuasive Writing course or The Argument Builder text).
• Students must have completed Rhetoric 1 or an equivalent course studying the nature of rhetoric for the modern student; the common topics; the rhetoric processes of invention, arrangement, and style; and a wide range of schemes and tropes.
• Students enrolling in this course should also be proficient in the use of MLA writing standards, employing those standards consistently in their own writing when necessary. This style manual is widely accepted for college students and academics, and beginning to adhere to writing standards is essential for college-bound students.

High School Credit: This course is the equivalent of one high school credit in speech and debate, composition, or language arts.

**Student Expectations: ** This course is suitable for high school students, and particularly (although not exclusively) for 12th graders. To be successful in this course, you will need to have a few pre-requisite skills. Make sure each of these descriptions is true of you. If you aren’t sure, let’s talk, and I can help make sure the course will be a good fit.

• Reads at or above a tenth-grade level.
• Composes essays with confidence

Successfully completed Rhetoric I through Scholé Academy or has comparable experience in classical rhetori:

• Listens, take notes, and is willing to engage in group discussions (extroversion not required!)
• Capable of guided, independent reading and research
• Types sufficiently well to transcribe a lengthy essay without frustration
• Possesses basic computer skills—browsing, accessing assignments, scanning, e-mailing, and managing files
• Has the intellectual and spiritual maturity to entertain opinions that are contrary to his or her own established beliefs

Q: Why do students need a thesis? A: Dr. Alyssan Barnes, author of the Rhetoric Alive! series, addresses this question in her article From Sophomore to Senior: Why Students Need the Senior Thesis.

At Scholé Academy, we have carefully considered how we should engage our contemporary culture as those who believe that Christ is the Truth (John 14:6), and that all truth has its source in him. We think it is important to provide our upper school students (in grades 7-12) with tools and opportunities for critically examining various cultural trends, issues and mores through the lens of orthodox, Christian beliefs. Being confident in the truth revealed to us in creation, the Scriptures, and the tradition of the church, we are not afraid to follow the truth and its implications nor to address error and falsehood. … Read more about our Faith & Culture.

• Computer: 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.
• High-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.
• Webcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)
• Headset: 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
• Zoom: 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. 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.
• Scanner: 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.