Language Arts 8
Language Arts 8 emphasizes both literature and composition by focusing on the first three canons of classical rhetoric: invention, arrangement and elocution. The thoughtful discussions about literary works help students develop habits of inquiry and an appreciation for the art of writing. Students use these skills to write reflective essays that present a logical and clear argument. Literature selections include short stories, novels, a Shakespearean play and poetry. These selections serve as the basis for composition assignments, which include evaluating ideas across more than one literary piece. Students expand their skills by varying the structure of body paragraphs through careful arrangement of the three parts of an essay: introduction, body and conclusion. In creative exercises, students experiment with voice by imitating the diction and syntax of the authors.
The course continues to reinforce proper grammar, mechanics and usage through weekly exercises and reading. In addition, students analyze sentences with advanced grammatical constructions using a four-level approach. This approach increases writing skills as well as reading comprehension.
Topics include: the first three canons of rhetoric; vocabulary development through literary text; grammar and language mechanics; paragraph arrangement; parts of an essay; the argumentative essay; the compare/contrast essay; timed-writing practice; and imitative writing.
This class was formerly known as Language Arts Level 4, sometimes referred to as Fundamentals of Expository Writing, and has been renamed to more clearly align with the typical grade level of the students.
Homework Habits: 2-4 hours/week
Suggested Grade Level: 8 (age 13 by September 1)
Prerequisites: Language Arts 7 or equivalent