Writing Course (Commonplace)

Service Description

This course immerses students in a journey of developing eloquence, critical thinking, and moral discernment through the classical tradition of Progymnasmata. Students engage with narrative and nonfiction texts, spanning culturally significant works and historical accounts from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries of Australian history, with a special focus on figures whose virtues or wrongdoing have left an indelible mark. Through guided reading and annotation, students learn to interact with well-written texts and draw meaningful insights. They will engage in research, forming their own theses and defending them through structured persuasive writing that highlights various types of virtuous conduct and explores the consequences of moral failing. This includes learning to craft six-paragraph essays that not only argue and defend positions but also employ rhetorical techniques like pathos to move their audience. Additionally, through exercises in memorization, grammatical precision, and the employment of new rhetorical devices, students deepen their ability to summarise, amplify, and convey complex thoughts, fostering a command of language that is both flexible and impactful. Prerequisites: Students should have a foundational understanding of English grammar and composition, including basic paragraph and essay structure. This is the follow on course from our Refutation and Confirmation course. This course is suited for students ready to explore classical rhetorical techniques and refine their persuasive writing and analytical skills. Required Materials: Students must purchase the Australian Progymnasmata (Commonplace) student text from Via Classica (available mid January). They should also have an exercise book for additional notes. Students will also need a USB headset microphone (built-in microphones also work). Students will use Microsoft Teams and One Note for online sessions. Course Sessions: This course will commence in the week starting February 3. There are two one-hour sessions each week, held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1 pm (AEDT/AEST). There will be a term break from April 14 to April 25. Classes resume in the week commencing April 28. The final week of classes for this course will be during the week commencing June 23. There will be no classes on March 19 (Feast of St. Joseph) and June 9 (King’s Birthday). Instructor: Mrs. Elizabeth Matheson