In this persuasive essay writing course for homeschooling students aged 12-16, we will cover a range of topics focused on mastering the art of persuasive writing. Students will learn the fundamentals of persuasive writing, including crafting strong thesis statements, structuring essays effectively, and using evidence and examples to support their arguments. We will delve into the power of rhetoric, exploring techniques like ethos, pathos, and logos, and students will experiment with various persuasive writing styles.

The class is structured as a twelve-week program, with each week dedicated to a specific aspect of persuasive writing. The course begins with an introduction to persuasive writing and gradually progresses to more advanced techniques. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to apply what they've learned by crafting persuasive essays on a variety of topics.

While there will be some lecture-style instruction to introduce new concepts, a significant portion of the class will involve active learning. Students will engage in practical exercises, peer review sessions, and discussions to practice and refine their persuasive writing skills. 

Learners will have ample opportunities to interact both with me and their peers. We will use a combination of lectures, group discussions, writing exercises, and peer review sessions to facilitate engagement and collaboration. Students will also benefit from interactive elements like rhetorical analysis of famous essays, exploration of real-world persuasive communication, and hands-on crafting of persuasive essays.

No prior experience or specific knowledge is required for this course. It is designed to accommodate students with varying levels of writing expertise. We will start with foundational concepts and progressively build upon them, ensuring that every student can develop their persuasive writing skills regardless of their previous experience.

Course Goals:  
-Understand the fundamentals of persuasive writing.
-Develop and communicate clear, well-structured persuasive arguments.
-Employ persuasive techniques effectively to engage readers.
-Refine their writing through peer review and constructive feedback.
-Analyze famous persuasive essays to expose students to a variety of persuasive techniques employed by skilled writers. 
-Produce three persuasive essays demonstrating mastery of persuasive writing techniques.

Tentative Course Schedule:  
Week 1: Introduction to Persuasive Writing
- Understand the purpose of persuasive writing.
- Explore persuasive techniques: ethos, pathos, and logos.
- Select an essay topic.

Week 2: Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement
- Develop a compelling thesis statement.
- Understand the role of the thesis in persuasive essays.
- Outline your first persuasive essay.

Week 3: Build Evidence and Consider Audience
- Develop a compelling thesis statement.
- Gather evidence and examples to support your argument.
- Analyze your target audience and consider opposing viewpoints.  

Week 4: Essay #1 Due
- Submit your first persuasive essay.
- Participate in peer reviews for Essay #1.
- Learn the art of constructive feedback.
- Select a Topic for Essay #2.

Week 6: Structuring Persuasive Essays
- Explore the structure styles of persuasive essays.
- Understand the importance of smooth transitions.
- Discuss organization and coherence.
- Outline your second persuasive essay.
- Gather evidence and examples for Essay #2.

Week 7: Structuring Persuasive Essays Part II
- Continue to explore the structure styles of persuasive essays.
- Discuss the importance of word choice and sentence variety.
- Complete Essay #2.

Week 8: Begin Essay #3
-  Essay #2 Due.
-  Participate in peer reviews for Essay #2.
-  Select a topic for the final essay.

Week 9: Advanced Persuasive Techniques
- Dive into advanced persuasive techniques.
- Explore rhetorical devices and their impact.
- Discuss persuasive language and tone.
- Work on Essay #3 at home.

Week 10:  Advanced Persuasive Techniques Part II
- Discuss antithesis is and how to use it.  
- Discuss how inclusive language is persuasive.  

Week 11:  Advanced Persuasive Techniques Part III
 - Continue exploring advanced persuasive techniques, including irony, counterargument, and rebuttal.  
- Explore ethical considerations in persuasive writing.
- Debate the boundaries of persuasion and create arguments with integrity.  

Week 12: 
- Submit your third and final persuasive essay.
- Present your essay to the class for in-class positive peer evaluation.
- Reflect on your growth in persuasive writing skills.