This is an introductory course to descriptive writing recommended for student proficiency levels equivalent to US G6/7/8. Students enrolled in this course will receive an overview of basic descriptive elements such as sense description and comparison. Students will then learn how to apply these descriptive techniques to a variety of writing formats. Level I students will learn how to apply basic descriptive techniques to accomplish 5 major tasks:

• A series of detailed sense descriptions
• A descriptive passage
• A descriptive paragraph with a controlling idea
• A descriptive acrostic
• A descriptive character sketch

This is an introductory course to persuasive writing where students will receive a didactic overview of basic persuasive elements such as sentence images, purpose, audience, supporting reasons, etc.  Once assimilated, students will then learn how to apply these persuasive elements to a variety of writing formats and projects.  Level one students will learn how to apply persuasive techniques to accomplish 5 major tasks:

• A persuasive letter

• A persuasive poem

• Persuasive ads (radio commercial /billboard/ excerpts)

• Persuasive speech

• Persuasive article

Time Required: approximately 1 ½ – 3 ½  hours weekly for 10 weeks

Beginning in 2005, the SAT will incorporate a writing section much like that currently found on the SAT II: Writing test. This course will help students prepare for the essay section of the new SAT.

• The class will go over the uestion prompts which students can expect to see on the test, grading criteria, and what it takes to write a superb essay.
• • At first a scaffold is provided: a set of directions that aid students' thinking about the writing process that students can use to work through every essay.
• The scaffolding is then gradually removed to let the students practice writing independently.
• The final three lessons will be practice tests that simulate actual test conditions.
• The students will write a total of 10 essays in this course.