Writing & Grammar Ladder · High school · Grade 10–12

Rhetoric and Advanced Writing

High school to college, and a foundation for AP English Language: the rhetorical situation, ethos, pathos and logos, the Toulmin model, counterarguments, argument, rhetorical analysis and synthesis essays, style that is clear and concise, college essays and timed writing.

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41 topics in 6 units. Builds on Composition and Usage and Mechanics. Not sure this is the right course? Find your rung.

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Unit 1 The Rhetorical Situation

7 topics

What rhetoric is; writer, audience, purpose, context and message; ethos, pathos and logos as Aristotle described them; and kairos.

  1. What Rhetoric Is
  2. The Rhetorical Situation
  3. Ethos: The Speaker’s Character
  4. Pathos: The Audience’s Emotions
  5. Logos: The Reasoning
  6. Identifying Appeals
  7. Kairos: The Right Moment

Unit 2 Building an Argument

13 topics

Claims, patterns of reasoning, the Toulmin model, qualifiers, evidence, counterarguments, the classical arrangement, fallacies and the argument essay.

  1. Kinds of Claims
  2. Patterns of Reasoning
  3. The Toulmin Model
  4. Finding Unstated Warrants
  5. Qualifiers and Limits
  6. Weighing Evidence
  7. Counterarguments
  8. Concession and Rebuttal
  9. The Classical Arrangement
  10. Fallacies in Arguments
  11. A Defensible Thesis
  12. The Argument Essay
  13. Line of Reasoning and Commentary

Unit 3 Rhetorical Analysis

6 topics

How a writer’s choices serve a purpose for an audience, and how to write about them.

  1. Rhetorical Analysis
  2. Choices and Effects
  3. Common Rhetorical Devices
  4. Tone and Shifts in Tone
  5. A Thesis for Rhetorical Analysis
  6. The Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Unit 4 Synthesis

3 topics

Putting several sources in conversation to support your own argument.

  1. Reading Sources Together
  2. Working Sources into Your Sentences
  3. The Synthesis Essay

Unit 5 Style

9 topics

Diction, concision, active and passive voice used well, sentence variety, emphasis, cohesion, register, figures of speech, and classic style advice.

  1. Diction
  2. Concision
  3. Active and Passive Voice, Used Well
  4. Sentence Variety
  5. Emphasis and Word Order
  6. Old Information Before New
  7. Formal and Informal Register
  8. Figures of Speech
  9. Classic Style Advice

Unit 6 Writing for Real Occasions

3 topics

Reading a prompt, timed writing, and the college application essay.

  1. Reading a Prompt
  2. Timed Writing
  3. The College Application Essay
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