Writing Course (Commonplace)

Service Description

Course Description: This course guides students through the art of commonplace writing, teaching them to collect, annotate, and respond to meaningful texts with clarity and insight. Students engage with historical and literary figures—from Aphthonius’ Against a Tyrant and Catiline to William Bligh, Ned Kelly, and Don Bradman—developing skills in crafting a thesis, rhetorical refutation, analysing contradictions, comparing vices to illuminate truth, and constructing persuasive speeches. Through annotation exercises and structured writing, students cultivate critical thinking, moral discernment, and eloquence, gaining the tools to argue persuasively and express ideas with precision and impact. Prerequisites: This course is designed for students aged 12–14 who have completed Refutation and Confirmation or an equivalent. Students in this age range who have not completed a similar course should begin with an earlier writing course in the Progymnasmata sequence, as these studies are mastery-based and more advanced than modern writing courses. Required Materials: Students must purchase the Australian Progymnasmata (Commonplace) student text from Via Classica (available mid January). 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 and One Note for online sessions. Course Sessions: The course commences in Term 1 on Tuesday, 3 February, with two one-hour sessions each week: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00–10:00 AM (AEDT/AEST). Term 1 will conclude on Wednesday, 1 April. Term 2 will resume on Tuesday, 21 April, and conclude on Thursday, 25 June. Please note that there will be no classes on Thursday, 19 March. Instructor: Mrs. Elizabeth Matheson