Vocabulary and Writing for High School

If you are looking for a college-preparatory course that will help your high school student be successful, the following course is an excellent start. Students learn all of the upper-level vocabulary needed for advanced writing, AP English Language and Composition courses, and the ACT / SAT. Each week, student have writing practice with the vocabulary words. Students also learn memorization tools that will assist them in other subjects as well as vocabulary. 

The course is broken into two segments, which can be taken individually or together, and in any order. For the spring semester, the course can be taken on Thursday or Friday:

HS Essential Writing: Vocabulary and Writing, Part One

(click on course title to register)

 

Class dates: Fridays, January 10 to April 25, 2014. No class Feb. 28 and April 18.

Total classes: 14

Starting time: 10:30 am Eastern Time (9:30 Central)

Duration: 45 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested grade level: 9^th to 12^th grade

Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester writing

Fee: $180 if you register on or before November 1, 2013. $200 after Nov. 1st for all 14 classes.

Instructor: Sharon Hamric-Weis, JD

Course description: In this course (the first of two successive courses), your student will learn to use all of the upper-level vocabulary words related to writing that are needed for high school advanced writing, Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition courses, the ACT and SAT, advanced writing courses, and all of college writing—and an introduction of the concepts associated with the terms.. Over 350 words will be learned and practiced this semester. Course work will be simple yet critical for your student’s future success. Because vocabulary is the #1 indicator of success on college entrance testing, if you want your student to not only score well on testing but also be able to be prepared for college writing and vocabulary, this course is for you.

Course outline:

Class 1: Writing for a Purpose and Audience

Class 2: Worldview, Critical Thinking, & Passive/Active Voice

Class 3: Writing Effective Sentences; Diction & Syntax

Class 4: Writing Effective Paragraphs: Structure, Linear Writing, Active writing, Transitions and Connectives

Class 5: Punctuation and its Effect on Writing

Class 6: Grammar, Usage, & Mechanics for Clarity

Class 7: Types of Writing

Class 8: Point of View, Tone, & Voice

Class 9: Style

Class 10: Techniques & Devices of Organization for Coherence

Class 11: More Techniques & Devices of Organization

Class 12: Composing Methods

Class 13: Characteristics of an Effective Argument

Class 14: Research Methods

Course materials: Word 2007 or later version. eBook: Simplified Vocabulary Guide by E. B. Conroy (Not yet available from the publisher. Students will be notified upon publication. If not available in time for the course, it will be made available to student free of charge as PDF files).

Homework: Studying for tests on the vocabulary identification and use.

HS Essentials: Vocabulary and Writing, Part Two

(click on course title to register)

 

NOTE: If you did not take Part One first, you can still take Part Two; The two courses can be taken independently and in any order (Part One first, Part Two second OR Part Two first, Part One second)

Class dates: Thursdays, January 9 to April 10, 2014

Total classes: 14

Starting time: 2:00 PM Eastern (1:00 Central)

Duration: 45 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested grade level: 9^th to 12^th grade

Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Writing

Fee: $180 if you register on or before Nov. 1, 2013. $200 after Nov. 1^st for all 14 classes.

Instructor: E B Conroy, MA

Course description: In this course (the second of two successive courses), your student will learn to use all of the upper-level vocabulary words related to writing that are needed for high school advanced writing, Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition courses, the ACT and SAT, advanced writing courses, and all of college writing—and an introduction of the concepts associated with the terms. Over 350 words will be learned and practiced this semester. Course work will be simple yet critical for your student’s future success. Because vocabulary is the #1 indicator of success on college entrance testing, if you want your student to not only score well on testing but also be able to be prepared for college writing and vocabulary, this course is for you.
Course outline:

Class 1: Persuasion; Sources, Citations, & Plagiarism
Class 2: Research

Class 3: Critical Reading; Literary Forms & Genres I

Class 4: Literary Forms & Genres II
Class 5: Themes in Writing

Class 6: Rhetoric & Literary Techniques

Class 7: Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, & Devices I
Class 8: Rhetoric, Figures of Speech, & Devices II
Class 9: Narration; Dissecting Passages of Text I
Class 10: Description; Dissecting Passages of Text II
Class 11: Illustration, Exemplification, & Highly Effective Essays
Class 12: Comparison & Contrast in Writing
Class 13: Process Analysis & Context

Class 14: Division & Classification; Writing Cogent, Organized Essays I

Course materials: Word 2007 or later version. eBook: Simplified Vocabulary Guide by E. B. Conroy (Not yet available from the publisher. Students will be notified upon publication. If not available in time for the course, it will be made available to student free of charge as PDF files).

Homework: Studying for tests on the vocabulary identification and use.

We hope you'll take advantage of these terrific college-preparatory courses and give your student the tools to excel. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any questions at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com

Please note that Part ONE will be available as a recorded course through Unlimited Access in January, 2014. Part TWO will be available in June 2014 as a recorded course.