What's included
12 live meetings
9 in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. In this course, students will be asked to complete research or writing steps initiated during each session as part of their homework. These tasks will help reinforce the skills learned in class and provide an opportunity to apply them to student writing. Students will receive feedback either during class discussions, peer review sessions, or directly from the instructor between sessions. While homework is optional, it is strongly encouraged to ensure students build upon their progress each week and produce a polished research paper by the end of the course. This final paper can serve as a valuable model for future research writing projects and academic assignments.Progress Report
Upon completion of the course, each student will receive written feedback regarding their progress toward the course objectives.Class Experience
Ready to Master Rhetorical Writing? Students will explore how music, media, and culture intersect while mastering logos, pathos, and ethos to create persuasive, impactful writing. Step by step, this course will guide you through analyzing emotional appeals, building credibility, and using logic to craft a polished final essay. ✍️ What We Will Study Each week dives into a key rhetorical strategy, helping you integrate emotion, credibility, and logic into your writing. Students will choose a topic that allows them to explore cultural movements through the lenses of music, social media, and science/anthropology, encouraging deep, multidisciplinary analysis. Check out the syllabus for a detailed breakdown. Sample topics could range from "Climate Activism: From Greta Thunberg to Protest Songs" and "Hip-Hop as a Global Voice for Social Justice" to "Indigenous Movements: Preserving Heritage in a Digital Age" and "The Global Impact of K-Pop on Cultural Exchange" and much more. Allowing students to choose their own topic to write about will maintain engagement and help them explore the boundaries of their curiosity and synthesis skills. 🧠 Why This Course is Perfect for Aspiring Writers • Master Persuasion: Learn to influence audiences with powerful rhetorical techniques. • Critical Thinking: Examine issues through interdisciplinary lenses to form compelling arguments. • Practical Skills: Build writing techniques for school projects, personal growth, and real-world communication. • Reinforcement and Additional Practice: Experiment with some of the most challenging types of analytical writing skills in a low-stakes, stress-free environment. Perfect for home-school learners and even AP English Language and Composition students desiring a scaffolded approach to persuasive writing. 📚 How We Will Learn • Interactive Lessons: Explore rhetorical strategies and how they shape impactful writing. • Student-Driven Learning: Choose your own lens through which you hope to examine how music, social media, and science impact a global movement. • Engaging Practice: Apply concepts through creative and thought-provoking activities. • Collaborative Workshops: Share drafts, receive feedback, and learn with peers in a supportive environment. • Tailored Guidance: Small class sizes ensure individualized support for every student. 🚀 Ready to Elevate Your Writing Skills? Join this dynamic course to strengthen your rhetorical writing and create a powerful, polished essay by the end of the program. 💬 Have Questions? Feel free to reach out to learn more about how this course can help you achieve your writing goals!
Learning Goals
Developing Rhetorical Awareness: Understanding how logos, pathos, and ethos function in persuasive writing.
Crafting Logical Arguments: Using evidence, data, and reasoning to build clear and effective arguments.
Syllabus
Standards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)12 Lessons
over 6 WeeksLesson 1:
What Makes Writing Persuasive?
Understanding the three rhetorical strategies: logos (logic), pathos (emotion), and ethos (credibility). Identifying and analyzing rhetorical strategies in examples of persuasive writing.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Choosing and Framing a Topic
Defining topics related to music, media, and culture for analysis and writing. Developing clear, focused topics for rhetorical exploration.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
The Emotional Power of Music
Analyzing how music connects with audiences emotionally. Using descriptive and emotive language to appeal to emotions.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Pathos in Persuasive Writing
Examining effective uses of emotional appeals in cultural movements. Writing emotionally compelling arguments with a focus on pathos.
45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
Students will need internet access and potentially library access to research and identify potential source materials for their research projects.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Students will be conducting research and will need access to trusted age-appropriate websites such as news sites, encyclopedia sites, and books they might want to obtain from their local library. Students will decide what types of resources to explore for source materials, and parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor student selections.
Additionally, students should consult Purdue OWL's MLA guidelines: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School
Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from Harvard University
✨ Meet Your Persuasive Writing Instructor
I’m an Ivy League-educated instructor, licensed lawyer, and former research biologist with expertise in genetics and epidemiology. With over a decade of experience teaching writing, critical thinking, and research skills in both K-12 online and traditional classrooms—as well as 1:1 tutoring environments—I specialize in helping students master the art of persuasive writing. My professional background has equipped me with extensive experience in conducting in-depth research, identifying credible source material, and synthesizing complex information into clear, well-structured rhetorical papers.
📚 What I Bring to Our Rhetorical Writing Classes
- 🔍 Advanced Research Expertise
As a licensed lawyer and former research biologist, I bring a unique perspective on conducting detailed investigations, analyzing data, and building well-supported arguments. Students will learn the critical skills of identifying credible sources, paraphrasing effectively, and using citations to back up their ideas.
- ✍️ Professional Research and Persuasive Writing Skills
Gain step-by-step guidance on how to organize your ideas, craft compelling thesis statements that present a unique stance on a topic, and write essays that offer sound logic, emotional appeal, and credibility. Whether you're new to persuasive writing or want to refine your skills, I provide tailored support to help you succeed.
- 🧠 Critical Thinking Through Research
Learn to evaluate information, draw meaningful conclusions, and develop a strong, reasoned opinion on complex topics. My instruction focuses on building your ability to synthesize ideas and present them clearly and persuasively.
- 📖 A Proven Teaching Approach
I have helped students of all ages, from beginners to advanced learners, achieve success in academic and professional writing. With personalized feedback and engaging lessons, I guide students to create polished research papers they can use as models for future projects.
🚀 Why Join This Course?
This course combines my professional experience as a lawyer and biologist with my passion for teaching writing and critical thinking. Whether you're preparing for academic assignments, honing professional skills, or exploring new essay writing techniques, each session is designed to meet your unique goals. Students will leave with a polishedpersuasive paper and the confidence to approach future projects with clarity and precision.
📩 Ready to master persuasive writing and build your skills? Join me today!
Reviews
Live Group Course
$42
weekly2x per week, 6 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-16
4-8 learners per class