Writing IS Thinking! The Art of Argument and Rhetoric
A complete and foundational course in academic writing, arguments, and rhetoric.
Joseph Constantine
Average rating:
4.5
Number of reviews:(156)
What's included
42 live meetings
42 in-class hoursHomework
4+ hours per week. There will be small writing assignments, readings, and larger writing assignments. Learners will also be required to keep a daily writing/learning/thinking journal to keep track of responses to readings and their ongoing research.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
This complete course is an ideal preparatory course for Academic Writing(Thinking) which is key to success in any area of the academic world. This is a foundational course that will support, steady, yet stable growth as young writers and thinkers. We will be taking a detailed look at the principles of rhetoric as applied to analyzing and writing argumentative and persuasive essays. We will also learn about the methods of research and the course will culminate in writing a substantial research paper. Students will master and demonstrate the following skills and abilities by the end of the course: 1. To understand and demonstrate writing processes through invention, organization, drafting, revising, editing, and presentation. 2. To understand the importance of specifying audience ad purpose and to select appropriate communication choices 3. To understand and appropriately apply modes of expression, i.e., descriptive, expository, narrative, scientific, and self-expressive, in written communication. 4. To understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical proficiency in the development of exposition and argument in cooperative and/or interactive writing. 5. To develop the ability to research and write a documented paper. -Rhetorical tools, aims and structure of arguments -Different kinds of arguments -Learn how to write a thesis statement -Conduct research, find reasons and evidence and organize an essay with topic sentences, counterarguments...etc, -Learn how to use voice and audience -Discuss hidden arguments, everyday arguments and arguing other people's arguments The course is split up into 4 major units each a few weeks long. Unit One: Analysis and Synthesis: The Fundamentals of Argument Unit Two: Arguing the Past, Origin, Future Unit Three: Arguing Definition, Meaning, Value Unit Four: Arguing Crisis
Learning Goals
Students will master and demonstrate the following skills and abilities by the end of the course:
1. To understand and demonstrate writing processes through invention, organization, drafting, revising, editing, and presentation.
2. To understand the importance of specifying audience ad purpose and to select appropriate communication choices
3. To understand and appropriately apply modes of expression, i.e., descriptive, expository, narrative, scientific, and self-expressive, in written communication.
4. To understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical proficiency in the development of exposition and argument in cooperative and/or interactive writing.
5. To develop the ability to research and write a documented paper.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2019
4.5
156reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from Ithaca College
I am a friendly, articulate, professional, college-educated teacher, and artist versed in a variety of disciplines, a "Renaissance Man" at heart. As Ben Franklin was quoted: "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest". I'm very patient and dedicated to finding innovative and creative ways to educate those I am teaching. I have both practical experience and theoretical training in the education of individuals with both Learning Disabilities & Developmental Disabilities.
I am an experienced educator with a bachelor's of science from Ithaca College. I'm currently working towards my Master's Degree in Education with over three years of study so far and my dissertation remaining. In addition to that work, as a graduate student, I consistently seek out workshops and webinars that provide additional certifications for educators.
My experience as an educator includes teaching at both public and private schools as well as tutoring students in STEAM subjects including SAT/GRE/ACT/ & AP prep, I have experience and training in teaching individuals with both Learning Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities. I have also volunteered my time in my local community library by organizing workshops on STEAM topics for children.
As an educator, it's my goal to stimulate my student's curiosity and to encourage persistence and determination in achieving their goals. I would like for my students to experience the empowerment of conquering ignorance and the joy in discovery and epiphany. In short, I want to open, stimulate, and expand young minds.
I teach comparative and interdisciplinary courses focused on literature, art, myth folklore, ecology, nature, science, philosophy, and history. These exciting courses will illustrate how these different areas of learning connect, inform, and influence each other. Additionally, I offer "hands-on" workshops in writing (academic/creative), photography, and cinema. This type of class environment consists of group work and active critique of their own work and the work of their peers. And as someone who is fluent in Conversational French (reading, speaking, and writing) I plan to create some simple yet immersive classes in the French Language. If there is sufficient interest I am willing and able to run weekly RPG clubs (not limited to D&D) focusing on learning life skills through roleplaying. Drama and the theater were, and still, are, a large part of both my public and collegiate career.
Outside the classroom, I am a single father of an eleven-year-old girl and our mini-menagerie which consists of "Rosie" the lab/Pitt, "Bill Murray" the Mini-Schnauzer, "Mary Shelly" an African Sideneck Turtle, "Shane Longfellow" the ball python, and "Fry" the dumbo rat. A pack of misfits much like the "Goonies"; odd, yet adventurous and loyal to the end!
Reviews
Live Group Class
$756
for 42 classes3x per week, 14 weeks
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
2-18 learners per class
