Class Description

Writing and speaking skills and techniques are covered and works of the masters of spoken and written English are studied. The list is flexible depending upon class enthusiasm but has in the past included Shakespeare, Swift, Dickens, Austen, J.S. Mill, Wilde, Shaw, Grahame, Wodehouse, Franklin, Jefferson, Paine, Lincoln, Twain, Fitzgerald, Churchill, King, Buckley, Baldwin and many other surpassingly brilliant but less well known writers and orators. (It is worth noting that one finds among these greats a disproportionately large percentage of homeschoolers.) All works are provided or linked to in the online classroom. College prep skills practiced will include note-taking, research and report writing, advanced vocabulary, language usage, comprehension and grammar. Students will write college admission essays, persuasive essays, SAT essays and reports, will prepare and deliver lectures and persuasive speeches and will engage in debate and discussion. The class uses the one-room schoolhouse paradigm and includes two hours/week of interactive online classroom participation, personal instructor attention, extensive resources, graded compositions, moderated discussion forums and chatrooms. Text: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, College Prep English Practice by K. Titchenell. Many text, audio, and video recording resources will be used and provided free of charge. Students will amass a portfolio of work for use in admissions and applications.  

Additional Information

Class size: 3-12 students

Supplies:

Computer, tablet or phone with Internet access and the textbook.  All other resources and supplies will be provided.

Prerequisites

A willingness to attempt college preparatory work.  

Class tags:
College Prep Creative Writing Critical Thinking Debate Essay Writing General General Grammar/Spelling Language Arts Literature Mythology Poetry Public Speaking Reading Reading Comprehension Social Justice Writing