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Course Description: Argumentative Writing

Artos Academy

Artos Academy

Argumentative Writing

Addressing Controversy in Academic & Social Contexts

Course Content and Objectives

No matter which Language Arts course you choose, students should expect to spend approximately two hours reading and writing outside of optional Live Connection meetings each week.  

The objectives below are examples of skills practiced in each course. Similar standards are  common to all states and are representative of the goals of every course, no matter the subject  matter or theme. All courses require students to read edifying, substantial materials and to  respond in written essays and discussion posts.  

  • Recognize and write in various modes, for different purposes, including to support and  sustain an opinion or argument, to inform, and to express and reflect. 
  • Understand the relationship among writing task, purpose, and audience. 
  • Understand writing occurs through a process, and utilize a process that includes planning, revising, editing, and rewriting. 
  • Use technology to communicate effectively and to produce and publish writing.
  • Understand writing can be used to answer questions and participate in short- and long term research and inquiry projects. 
  • Use evidence to support claims and convey ideas in writing. 
  • Integrate and synthesize others’ ideas into writing. 
  • Write often to develop fluency, confidence, and stamina. 

Cornerstone Foundational Skills: 2022. Tennessee Board of Education. 10-20-17_III_J_Non Substantive_Changes_to_Math_ELA__Science_Standards_Attachment_2_-_ELA.pdf (tn.gov) 

Skills Focus

Writing in Academic and Social Contexts

  • Identifying Purpose, Audience, and Genre
  • Writing with Sources
  • Academic vs. Popular Language
  • Communication in Academic vs. Popular Settings

Critical Reading and Writing

  • Techniques of Critical Reading
  • Summarizing
  • Critical Response
  • Visual Analysis

Reading Arguments Critically

  • The Elements of Argument
  • Claims
  • Evidence
  • Reliability
  • Assumptions
  • Language and Tone
  • Fallacies
  • Visual Arguments

Writing an Argument

  • Subjects of Controversy
  • Thesis, Purpose, and Audience
  • Reasoning
  • Evidence
  • Engaging Readers
  • Organizing and Revising
Free Introductory Lessons

Start Dates & Meeting Times

A new section of the course begins every Monday. The duration of the course is four weeks. Students who enroll together stay together for the duration of the course, interacting voluntarily in a social group and discussion forum exclusive to that group. 

Choose a course date below that best fits your schedule. There is no obligation to enroll. We’ll let you  know if the dates you choose are already full or open for new enrollees. Then you can decide whether to proceed with enrollment or not. 

Optional Live Connection meetings for this course are available every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10:00 Central Time. 

Live Connections

 Instructor-led discussions are centered on engaging topics that challenge students to think deeply and talk freely. Students learn online etiquette, like sensing how and when to share ideas, anticipating and dealing with interruptions, overcoming technical issues, and understanding how to express genuine interest in the thoughts of others.

In addition to solid academic instruction, one of the central goals of the class is to foster social connections and encourage friendships. Team projects are a part of every course, as well as group presentations. Collaboration is a buzzword and top priority in today’s workplace. Team assignments build confidence and improve comfort levels in group situations, preparing students for the future and enriching their classroom experiences in the present.    

Other advantages of attending the optional Live Connections are:

  • Scheduled interaction with peers provides opportunities for real-time feedback and collaborative learning.
  • Students have the option to meet with the instructor multiple times throughout the week through Live Connections. This is a time to talk with the instructor about course materials and to receive support, guidance, and individualized instruction along the way.
  • Lessons are completed chronologically. Access to each lesson is dependent upon successful completion of the prior lesson. Independent progression forward is an option.
  • Assessment of assignments is delivered by the instructor at set times.
  • Social interaction with other Seminar learners is an integral and ongoing part of the course.
  • Upon successful completion of the course, learners receive a Certificate of Completion for record keeping.
  • Live Connections are times in which the instructor or content expert interacts with learners in real time, integrating online and in-person elements.
  • Parent consultations about academic skills, as well as individualized pre-assessments are available upon request prior to enrollment.

Support for Independent Learners

Live meetings with the instructor are optional. Students who prefer to work independently can watch the video lectures and complete the assignments on their own. If a student attends one Live Connection meeting, he is not obligated to attend others. He may utilize these meetings as a time to get needed information or encouragement at any point as he completes the coursework mostly on his own.

During live meetings students can ask questions about the learning materials and assignments and discuss the required reading for this course, which is The Intellectual Life, by Sertillange. 

The Google Meeting link is available on the first page students see upon entering the course, along with a link to a Report Card and access to the social group exclusive to registrants of the course and the instructor. 

For a minimal fee, an optional consultation is available twice during the course for parents who want to monitor more closely a student’s progress and to receive  advice and tips for improving specific skills in writing, grammar, speaking, reading fluency, and comprehension.

Students who choose NOT to attend the Live Connections will receive feedback on assignments and will have access to the instructor through the Idea Exchange group, through email, and through the course components themselves. Feedback on assignments is an integral part of this course, whether a student attends the Live Connections or not.

Required Reading

Students will read the book, The Little, Brown Handbook (Fourteenth Edition), as well as articles and additional sources provided by your instructor at no extra costs.  

The Little, Brown Handbook (14th Edition)

Grade Level Expectations

The content in the courses is appropriate for advanced middle school students and high school students. Students write sourced papers that utilize secondary texts and include a Reference page.  

Completion Certificate

Each lesson begins with a step-by-step content guide and a point value indicator. Students who successfully complete 80% of writing assignments and quizzes earn a Certificate of Completion to add to their transcripts, academic profiles, or curriculum vitae. 

Technical Requirements

Students need a reliable Internet connection. Live class meetings are conducted in-person. The physical address of the meeting location will be sent through email. Students have the option of attending the meeting through Google Meet to allow added flexibility. Students who choose to attend class via Google Meet are expected to have a functional camera and microphone and to keep cameras and mics on for the duration of the class meeting unless otherwise instructed. Course materials are shared through the Artos Learning virtual classroom and typically include videos, pdf files, and website links.

Tuition

The regular tuition for this course is $215.00. Because Artos Academy is in a beta phase, the tuition is currently $25.00.

Students may withdraw from a course up to ten days before the start date with a 50% refund. No refunds are offered within ten days of a course start date.

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