Week 1
Lesson 1
Death of the Moth by Virginia Woolf 
An introduction to writer style (diction/tone), discussion of essay, Spar Debating sparked by A Life Well Lived:
Position 1
There is honor and a life well-lived in working to the best of our abilities even if that effort doesn’t result in what the world would term as success.
Position 2
Achieving one’s stated goals in life, being celebrated by others results in a life well-lived. 
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Living Like Weasels by Annie Dillard 
Exploring different writing styles, discussion of essay, Spar Debating sparked by "There is value in giving oneself over to  mindlessness and necessity. In other words, to live like a weasel."
Position 1:   Yes, there is value to giving oneself over to mindlessness and necessity to live well.
Position 2:  No, we have responsibilities  to others, to ourselves to focus on whatever makes us happy and productive in life in choosing our jobs or in recreation. We can focus our lives on whatever we wan
 Week 3
Lesson 3
Souls on Ice by Mark Doty
Understanding the importance of word choice, discussion of essay, Spar Debating sparked by: What is the most important element in creative endeavor? 
Position 1: Close observation is the most critical element in creative endeavor.
Position 2: The subconscious mind is most critical element in creative endeavor. 
 Week 4
Lesson 4
On Dining Alone by MFK Fisher
Understanding economy and concision in writing, discussion of essay, Spar Debating sparked by: "W. H. Auden once remarked, "I do not know of anyone in the United States who writes better prose.”
Should writing about food be considered with the same seriousness as writing about politics or love or history?
Position 1: Yes it should. Explain.
Position 2: No it should not. Explain.
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Once More to the Lake by EB White
Exploring Context and purpose in writing, discussion of essay, Spar Debating sparked by: "It is strange how much you can remember about places like that once you allow your mind to return into the grooves that lead back."
Spar Statement:
We idealize and change our memories of the past to conform to our needs of the present.
Position 1: Agree with the above statement. Explain. 
Position 2: Disagree with the above statement. Our memories are sacred, true and unchanging. Explain.
 Week 6
Lesson 6
The Seam of the Snail by Cynthia Ozick
Writing in your own style, discussion of essay, Spar Debating sparked by: “she could pull off at 5 minutes notice a satisfying dinner for 10 concocted out of nothing more than originality and panache.”
Spar Question: What is excellence?
Position 1: Excellence is the overflowing cornucopia exemplified by Ozick’s mother — nothing perfect but intense, creative, varied and generous.
Position 2: Excellence is the Seam of the Snail, the quest for sheer perfection as exemplified by Ozick herself.