Writing and Rhetoric 3

Inside the Writing & Rhetoric Program: A Scholé Academy Info Session

This course continues the series with Book 5: Refutation & Confirmation and Book 6: Commonplace. In this stage, students start to develop and hone their skills in persuasive writing and speaking. In the first semester, students learn to refute or defend certain parts of narratives according to whether the identified parts are unbelievable, improbable, unclear, or improper—or believable, probable, clear, or proper.

After learning to identify the parts of a story that can be attacked or defended, students practice writing refutations or confirmations using sound arguments to explain their opinions. In the second semester, students continue to develop the art of persuasive writing and oration. They learn to create six-paragraph essays that are arguments against the common vices of people and arguments in favor of common virtues. Students also learn to support a thesis statement, use comparison and contrast, introduce and conclude an essay, use a rhetorical device known as “the contrary,” invent soliloquies to support an argument, deliver writing orally, and revise writing.

In this course, students dive deeper into their understanding of narratives to make connections between their lives and stories. Students are exposed to peer editing and are expected to assess their own writing by identifying the main argument, selecting appropriate textual support, strengthening phrasing, and finding grammar errors. Students will be expected to write on average one essay a week and begin to develop the skill of annotation (learning to take notes and comment on the readings). For a closer look at the texts used in this course, please follow these links and click “Look Inside”: Book 5: Refutation & Confirmation and Book 6: Commonplace.

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

• Students who have successfully completed Books 1–4 of the Writing & Rhetoric series will be ideally prepared for this course. Students who are new to the Writing & Rhetoric series will need to complete a placement assessment; they should also be familiar with elements of narration, description, and exposition in writing and should feel comfortable writing a five- or six-paragraph essay when guided by prompts. The course material provides a light review of some of the concepts and program vocabulary that was introduced in the prerequisite material. This will help orient students who have a foundation in writing skills but are new to the program.
• This course is designed for rising 6th–7th graders. Rising 5th graders who have completed the previous level of Writing & Rhetoric are welcome, though in most cases 5th-grade students require additional support from a parent in conjunction with the course.
• Occasionally students older than 7th grade are well suited for this course. If your student is in 7th grade or above and is new to the series, please contact us for a placement recommendation.
• Recognizing that students are developing keyboarding skills, neatly handwritten essays are acceptable during the first semester, but typed essays are expected by the start of second semester. 
• If a student does not have a strong command of grammar and a basic understanding of syntax, outside grammar instruction is advised.

For further information on the Writing & Rhetoric series, please see the Classical Academic Press FAQ page.

Quarter 1

Writing and Rhetoric Book 5

1. Introduction to the role or refutation and confirmation; review and proofreading. 
2. A Review of Narrative and Types
3. Writing a Legend          
4. Quarrel vs. Argument
5. Preparing to Refute: Identifying Problems

Quarter 2

Writing and Rhetoric Book 5

1. First refutation
2. First confirmation
3. Second refutation
4. Second confirmation
5. Final essay (student’s choice)

Quarter 3

Writing and Rhetoric Book 6

1. Review of attacking and defending
2. Thesis and contrary
3. Synonymia, antynomia, paraphrasis, and soliloquy
4. First commonplace

Quarter 4

Writing and Rhetoric Book 6

1. Second commonplace
2. Third commonplace
3. Fourth commonplace
4. Fifth commonplace
5. Sixth commonplace

• 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.