Grading and Writing Service

Students taking a Roman Roads Old Western Culture course may receive personalized grading for the Old Western Culture exams, and coaching and grading on four persuasive research papers written throughout the year.

Writing in the first semester will focus on producing two shorter essays (750-1000 words) and honing skills in advancing and defending a thesis statement. Depending on the Old Western Culture course requirements and the student’s ability, the second semester’s writing will focus on two potentially longer papers (750 - 1,500 words) written in two stages, the rough draft and the final draft. Students will develop a thesis around something they are studying in their current year of Old Western Culture.

The advisor will coach the student through each stage of the writing process for each paper, and be available for questions and advice throughout the school year. Students will receive general teaching on writing during the weekly meetings and should schedule a Zoom appointment at least once a quarter to discuss progress on each paper.

At the end of the year, the advisor will assign each student a grade for the course based on the four exams and the four papers.

No writing experience or prerequisite course necessary. Although attendance is required, this is not a class unto itself. The writing tutor is more than happy to answer questions and work with students to give advice and feedback tailored to their level of experience.

Students will grow their writing skills, including practice in:

• writing a topic proposal
• developing a thesis statement and abstract
• writing a rough draft
• polishing a final draft
• creating academic citations and bibliographies (using the Turabian style)

Required texts:

• Wordsmithy by Douglas Wilson