Lost Tools of Writing - Level I: Classical Rhetoric

Writing is a skill that requires coaching and practice. During this course your student will learn how to conquer the three challenges every writer faces: what to write, how to arrange their thoughts, and how to express their thoughts fittingly. Students will learn to overcome these challenges by using three canons of Classical Rhetoric: Invention, Arrangement, and Elocution. Your student will be equipped with tools, or the five common topics of invention, they can utilize to gather information. They will learn to recognize six figures of speech and use them in their essays.

At the end of this course, your student will be able to write a 10 paragraph persuasive essay that will include: thesis, counter thesis, proofs and sub-proofs, exordium, amplification, refutation, narratio, schemes, and tropes.

While Lost Tools of Writing is a writing program, it is also a thinking program. Your student will gain insight in how to think logically and therefore gain life skills in the process. The Lost Tools of Writing is not a literary analysis program, but we will use literature to practice utilizing the tools. This allows the student the freedom to exercise the tools of thought without a personal stake in the outcome.

Course Prerequisites:

Students should:

• Have a basic knowledge of the eight parts of speech
• Be able to write a basic paragraph
• Be familiar with verb tenses.

Younger students can prepare for this course by using IEW, Cottage Press’ Fable & Song, and/or composing written narrations.

While this course is most suitable for ages 13 and above, it can be taken by as early as 12 years old. It is recommended that those taking the Lost Tools Course as 7th and 8th graders take this course twice.

What Books are Used:

We will be covering myths, fables, and fairytales during class time for 2022-2023. These required readings will be posted on Canvas prior to class. Students will receive an approved booklist at the beginning of the course. They will choose the book that they will be writing about from this list, then submit the book of their choice to the instructor for approval. Students will be required to choose a new book to write about with each new essay. Students will not be allowed to write about movies.

Course Objectives:

1. Learn to conquer three common challenges all writers face
2. Utilize the five Topics of Invention (Tools)
3. Recognize and use six schemes and tropes
4. Write eight persuasive essays
5. Grow in their ability to think and write well
6. Learn how to read great books
7. Learn the highlighting system for reading

Texts:

• Lost Tools of Writing, 5th Edition, Student Workbook, published by the CiRCE Institute
• Various fairy tales, myths, and fables (these will be posted to Canvas prior to class)
• A Circe Guide to Reading, published by the CiRCE Institute
• Students will be given an approved booklist at the beginning of the course. They can choose the book that they will be writing about from this list.