Rhetoric and Composition Acquiring increased critical acuity in communicative acts while discovering the beautiful nuances of form and the persuasive power of disciplined speaking and writing


In the Elementary and Middle Schools, Rhetoric and Composition is studying grammar, usage, and mechanics, spelling rules, learning to organize and record thought, and beginning to structure formal rhetoric.

In the Elementary School, the students:

• learn the parts of speech.
• study language mechanics.
• learn to brainstorm ideas and follow through with composition.
• begin to make in class presentations.

In the Middle School, the students:

• concretize their knowledge of grammar with diagramming.
• perfect spelling and broaden vocabulary.
• practice the three and five paragraph form with expository writing.
• begin to practice effective group leadership and group discussion.
• meet MLA and APA documentation style.

In the Junior High and High School, Rhetoric and Composition is a process of mastering language mechanics, etymology, Greek and Latin roots, and logic, while developing a mature style in rhetoric and discourse.

In the Junior High, the students:

• work on advanced concepts of usage and grammar.
• continue to expand vocabulary.
• develop the five paragraph essay in expository and persuasive writing.
• begin a study of Greek roots.
• continue to practice group discussion and leadership skills.
• discover logical fallacies.
• practice citation skills.

In the High School, the students:

• complete the course of study on grammar.
• continue vocabulary expansion with etymology.
• review Greek roots and study Latin roots.
• explore all the forms of expository and persuasive writing.
• learn MLA and APA documentation styles.
• study rhetoric in all its forms.
• engage in a formal study of logic and discourse.

Course Description

• Course: Rhetoric and Composition I

1 year; 1 credit
Textbooks: Responding To Literature by John Sheridan Biays and Carol Weshoven; Warriner's English Grammar and Composition; A Guide to MLA Documentation by Joseph Trimmer; Word Clues by Amsel Greene.
Course Content and Objectives: This course introduces students to the beautiful nuances of form and to the persuasive power of disciplined writing and speaking with a view to engaging students in an intensive study of the domain of language, and assisting them in acquiring increased critical acuity in evaluating their own communicative acts. Vocabulary words from academic and leisure reading that are not familiar, and words from compositions that are chronically misspelled. Greek and Latin roots of English words are studied. Forms and methods of composition from the standard five paragraph essay to the term paper, including a thorough grounding in MLA documentation style are explored. The class includes a complete and thorough grounding in grammar.

• Course: Rhetoric and Composition II

1 year; 1 credit
Textbooks: Responding To Literature by John Sheridan Biays and Carol Weshoven; Warriner's English Grammar and Composition; The Rhetoric of Aristotle by Lane Cooper; Practical Rhetoric by O.B. Harrison, Jr.; A Guide to MLA Documentation by Joseph Trimmer; Word Clues by Amsel Greene.
Course Content and Objectives: This course continues to introduces students to the beautiful nuances of form and to the persuasive power of disciplined writing and speaking with a view to engaging students in an intensive study of the domain of language, and assisting them in acquiring increased critical acuity in evaluating their own communicative acts. Vocabulary words from academic and leisure reading that are not familiar, and words from compositions that are chronically misspelled. Greek and Latin roots of English words are studied. Forms and methods of composition from the standard five paragraph essay to the term paper, including a thorough grounding in MLA documentation style are explored. The class includes a study of classical and modern theories of Rhetoric and discourse, including a complete and thorough grounding in grammar.

• Course: Senior Thesis

1 year; 1 credit
Textbooks: TBA
Course Content and Objectives: Every graduating senior is required to write a Senior Thesis of ten pages in length. The topic will be chosen by the student, but the schedule of research and writing assignments will be set by the instructor.

• Course: Speech

1 year; 1 credit
Textbooks: Lucas, Stephen E. The Art of Public Speaking. 7th ed. New York: McGraw, 2001.
Course Content and Objectives: The communication process; listening and critical thinking; the ethics of research, writing and speaking; the speech making process from topic selection through research, analysis, organization, and outlining, to delivery and presentation; an understanding of the varieties of public speaking and experience in each of these form; types, use, production, and presentation of visual aids; modes of non-verbal communication and their effect on audience and speaker; and group discussion are the topics covered. The foremost objective of this course is comfort and experience in public speaking. With a growing expertise in the speech making process, and a study of expert speakers, comes a fuller understanding of the power of rhetoric and its ethical use. Covered were Introductory Speech; Demonstration Speech; Group Presentation; Informative Speech; Persuasive Speech; Speech to Entertain; Oral Interpretation; and Debate.