Writing and Rhetoric 5

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 Writing & Rhetoric Year 5, students build on the sturdy foundation they have developed through the earlier steps of the progymnasmata (preliminary exercises) in the Writing & Rhetoric series. In the first semester of Year 5, student writing emphasizes the use of vivid language to describe people, nature, and processes. They also study impersonation: 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 employs every skill that came before to make the strongest case for an idea. This semester's essays include a character analysis, a theme defence and a philosophical definition. 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 placement process in the Student Parent Handbook.
If your student is new to the Writing & Rhetoric series and is beyond the target age range, 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.

• 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, edit and revise a 6-paragraph essay approximately every other week. Students should be comfortable typing their essays following MLA format including font size & style, double spacing, indentation of paragraphs and citing sources.
• Students will refine the skill of annotation to become more discerning readers.
• In addition to a strong command of grammar and syntax, students entering Writing & Rhetoric Year 5 should have some 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. These elements will be reviewed and reinforced in this level, so mastery of these rhetorical devices may still be emerging at the start of this year.
• 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 may be welcome, though in many cases 7th-grade students require additional support from a parent in conjunction with the course.