Intro. to Essay Writing (9th-10th grades)
(This course is self-paced . Students watch the lessons and complete assignments at their convenience.)
This course is open between these dates:
Fall semester: Sept. 8, 2025-Dec. 11, 2025 and the spring semester: Jan. 12, 2026 - May 15, 2026.)
Instructor: Renee Metcalf
Course Description:
In every field of endeavor, clear writing is a necessity, in both college and the business world. In this introductory essay writing course high school students learn a system of clear thinking and writing. Using the six components of writing, students compose essays block by block. They learn how to write a precise and compelling thesis statement followed by strong supporting examples. Students will write three basic essay types: expository, narrative, and persuasive, including an engaging introduction and conclusion. Correct practice makes perfect and students have plenty of opportunity to finesse their writing under the guidance of an experienced and patient instructor who knows how to give the kind of feedback that helps students improve. They will also enhance their writing through the use of "SAT" vocabulary. Finally, practicing the skill of writing an essay under a time constraint prepares students for high-stakes writing.
Tuition: $90/month OR $324/semester
Texts:
Precisely! An Introduction to Essay Writing for the Modern Writer by Renee Metcalf
Goals and Objectives:
o Use pre-writing techniques to organize information before writing.
o Take notes and write outlines.
o Use formal, academic language.
o Construct clear and focused thesis statements.
o Write basic 5-paragraph expository, narrative, and persuasive essays.
o Learn when to employ 8 different ways to support claims.
o Create connection with the skillful use of transitions.
o Create a properly formatted Works Cited page in MLA style.
o Read and respond in writing to a variety of short literature.
o Learn different techniques in crafting introductions and conclusions.
o Prepare for the SAT and other timed writing situations from a prompt.
(This course is self-paced . Students watch the lessons and complete assignments at their convenience.)
This course is open between these dates:
Fall semester: Sept. 8, 2025-Dec. 11, 2025 and the spring semester: Jan. 12, 2026 - May 15, 2026.)
Instructor: Renee Metcalf
Course Description:
In every field of endeavor, clear writing is a necessity, in both college and the business world. In this introductory essay writing course high school students learn a system of clear thinking and writing. Using the six components of writing, students compose essays block by block. They learn how to write a precise and compelling thesis statement followed by strong supporting examples. Students will write three basic essay types: expository, narrative, and persuasive, including an engaging introduction and conclusion. Correct practice makes perfect and students have plenty of opportunity to finesse their writing under the guidance of an experienced and patient instructor who knows how to give the kind of feedback that helps students improve. They will also enhance their writing through the use of "SAT" vocabulary. Finally, practicing the skill of writing an essay under a time constraint prepares students for high-stakes writing.
Tuition: $90/month OR $324/semester
Texts:
Precisely! An Introduction to Essay Writing for the Modern Writer by Renee Metcalf
Goals and Objectives:
o Use pre-writing techniques to organize information before writing.
o Take notes and write outlines.
o Use formal, academic language.
o Construct clear and focused thesis statements.
o Write basic 5-paragraph expository, narrative, and persuasive essays.
o Learn when to employ 8 different ways to support claims.
o Create connection with the skillful use of transitions.
o Create a properly formatted Works Cited page in MLA style.
o Read and respond in writing to a variety of short literature.
o Learn different techniques in crafting introductions and conclusions.
o Prepare for the SAT and other timed writing situations from a prompt.
