Writing Course: Chreia and Proverb

Service Description

Description: In this course, we delve into the world of chreia writing, equipping students with the skills necessary to construct a compelling six-paragraph essay around a chosen saying or action. Students will learn to praise the author, restate the saying, explore the relevance and guidance of the saying, contrast with historical figures, compare similar examples, and write an epilogue. This course combines history, literature, and the art of persuasive writing to uncover the enduring wisdom in age-old proverbs and sayings. Building upon the knowledge acquired in the Australian Progymnasmata (Fables and Narrative) courses, this program immerses students in a range of thought-provoking proverbs and sayings, including those by renowned figures such as Edmund Campion, St. Mary MacKillop, Prime Minister Joseph Chifley, and biblical proverbs. By mastering the art of chreia writing, students will not only enhance their writing skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the wisdom passed down through the ages. Prerequisites: Students should have spelling capabilities at a grade level and be able to write sentences with basic sentence syntax. This course is recommended for students in Grade 4 or 5, or older students needing to consolidate their persuasive writing skills. In class, students need to be able to follow teacher-led workbook completion and record answers during class. They need to be able to answer questions when called on in a group setting. Required Materials: Students must purchase the Australian Progymnasmata (Chreia and Proverb) student text from Via Classica. They should also have an exercise book for additional notes. Students will also need a USB headset microphone (built-in microphones also work). Students will use Microsoft Teams for online sessions. Course Sessions: This course will commence in the week starting February 3. There are two one-hour sessions each week, held on Tuesday and Thursday at 1 pm (AEDT/AEST). There will be a term break from April 14 to April 25. Classes resume in the week commencing April 28. The final week of classes for this course will be during the week commencing June 23. There will be no classes on March 19 (Feast of St. Joseph) and June 9 (King’s Birthday). Instructor: Mrs. Elizabeth Matheson