Second-semester students will build on all of the skills taught in semester 1. Additionally, they will focus on learning to anticipate and prepare for an opinion opposite to theirs.  They will learn to clearly define terms to avoid confusion and considers circumstance in a matter. 

During the course of this class, sensitive topics will come up. Students will have different opinions and that is Ok. For the past 6 years, I have been guiding students through such discussions in a classroom setting to help them discover what they believe about a topic and why. Using the cannons of rhetoric, and the Socratic method students are challenged to consider both sides of a thesis. In addition to my classroom experience guiding diverse groups of students through such discussions, I have over 15 years of experience in youth counseling and mentorship. I have a degree in Sociology from the University of Washington with a focus on education,  social and cultural change. I am confident in my education and abilities to objectively and respectfully guide discussions on hard topics. Finally, I have been coaching students in writing for 10-plus years. 

Homework Offered
After every class, there is an assignment related to the ideas introduced in class. The students will be working on one essay for 4 weeks. In addition, they will be reading, on their own, the next book for the next essay and completing a study guide. 
2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
The students will receive weekly feedback and guidance as they compose their essays. Students will be instructed to use a self-check rubric. Upon completion of each essay, I will assess students writing and provide encouraging feedback. I do not provide letter grades. 
Grades Offered

Every student must have access to the books we will be reading and discussing in class. Books can be audio or paper. Note we will not be actually reading the book in class but rather discussing the book.