This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Hone your writing and critical thinking while mastering over 350 vocabulary words from college and graduate word lists and Advanced Placement (AP) writing, and learn top study skills for remembering vocabulary (and more!).
Total classes: 14
Prerequisite:
Required: High School Essential Writing 1: Punctuation and Grammar I (HS 9-1) and High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills (HS 9-2).
Recommended: High School Essential Writing 2: Excellent Paragraph and Essay Writing (HS 9-3) and High School Simplified Writing 2: Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay (HS 9-4). Prerequisites can also be taken as a recorded course through Unlimited Access.
Alternative prerequisite: a passing Punctuation & Grammar Assessment (only) from the Aquinas Writing Advantage Assessment service.
Suggested grade level: 10th grade or high school students who meet the prerequisite requirements.
Suggested credit: One (1) full semester Vocabulary & Writing, Writing, or English
Special Notes: This course is scheduled during several different time slots in the fall semester. Choose the slot that works best for you. Some time slots start before Labor Day.
This is Part One of a two-part course. Students are expected to sign up for Part Two for the Spring Semester.
Description
In this course (the first of two successive courses), your student will learn over 350 upper-level vocabulary words related to writing that are needed for high school advanced writing, Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition courses, the ACT and SAT, advanced writing courses, and all of college writing—and an introduction to the concepts associated with the terms. Because vocabulary is the number one indicator of success on college entrance testing, if you want your student to not only score well on testing but also be able to be prepared for college writing and vocabulary, this course is for you. Coursework will be focused on the critical thinking and writing practice needed for your future success, and each week, you’ll learn tips and how-to’s for learning the words with comprehension and memory, giving you comprehension methods that can be used in any course.
Outline
Class 1: Writing for a Purpose and Audience
Class 2: Worldview, Critical Thinking, & Passive/Active Voice
Class 3: Writing Effective Sentences; Diction & Syntax
Class 4: Writing Effective Paragraphs: Structure, Linear Writing, Active writing, Transitions and Connectives
Class 5: Punctuation and its Effect on Writing
Class 6: Grammar, Usage, & Mechanics for Clarity
Class 7: Types of Writing
Class 8: Point of View, Tone, & Voice
Class 9: Style
Class 10: Techniques & Devices of Organization for Coherence
Class 11: More Techniques & Devices of Organization
Class 12: Composing Methods
Class 13: Characteristics of an Effective Argument
Class 14: Research Methods
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: Required Book: EB Conroy’s Simplified Vocabulary Guide may be ordered at http://amzn.to/2FKGXDC. Microsoft Word or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document is required. If you do not own Microsoft Word, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.
Homework: Students are expected to study for tests on the vocabulary words, for identification and use. Students will take weekly in-system quizzes (graded automatically) and complete weekly writing assignments that make their writing stronger and use the new vocabulary (graded by the instructor).
Important Dates
Class Dates and Starting Times:
Mondays, August 26 to December 9, 2024. No Class Sept 2 (Labor Day) & Oct. 14 (mid-semester break)
1:00 PM Eastern (Noon Central; 11:00 Central; 10:00 Mountain)
Note that other class days and times are available with other instructors. Check the course catalog at https://caravel.homeschoolconnections.com/catalog/ for a full listing of available courses.
Duration per class: 55 minutes
