Meets the requirement for one High School English credit.

Embark on a literary journey through the rich tapestry of British literature while honing the art of persuasive writing in this 30-week high school course. Rooted in the principles of the Circe Institute’s Lost Tools of Writing, this class offers a unique approach to exploring classic works and mastering the tools of effective communication.

This 30-week class is for students in grades 11-12 will expose students to the fundamentals of literary analysis and writing a persuasive essay. We will read and analyze at least five of Shakespeare’s plays and many of his sonnets. We will also learn to write essays that will prepare students for college.

Students will learn to use the classical Canons of rhetoric. They will learn how to decide what to say, how to order their thoughts, and how to express those ideas. They will become familiar with the standard form of a five-paragraph essay and learn how to use literary devices to enhance their writing. They will also learn the basics of literary criticism by reading and analyzing great works of literature. Discussions of virtue and literary themes will help the student develop a taste for well-written prose.

Students will complete a five-paragraph essay for each of the plays and as many as five more on the sonnets. Students are expected to read the plays or sonnets before class discussion begins. Class meetings will revolve around discussing the plays/sonnets, generating ideas, and practicing the tools for crafting an essay.

Please note: that this course is appropriate for upper high school students who already have some exposure to other types of literature.

The plays we will read this year are:

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream

• Macbeth

• Henry V

• Hamlet

• Julius Caesar

Reading selections may change depending on the interests and proficiency of the students. I will keep the students updated on which plays will be included so that you have plenty of time to acquire them.

Required materials:

• The Lost Tools of Writing Level One Student Book (https://www.circeinstitute.org/store/book/level-1-5th-ed-students-workbook)

• Access to the plays. I require Folger’s versions of the plays for use in class. They are inexpensive and available through at any bookstore and Amazon.

• Computer and internet access. (Essays must be typed. They may be printed or submitted electronically.)

Homework: An assignment is due each week. These assignments generally rotate every three weeks between essay plans, outlines, and the essays themselves. We will read a new play or set of sonnets every three weeks.

Wednesday

Time: 9:00-10:30
Grades: 11-12
Cost: $400
Supply Fee: $50
Tutor: Donna Enoch