Level 2: Thinking on Paper (High School IEW Composition)
Having mastered the foundational writing skills of Level 1, students progress to the essential writing model, the essay. The 5-paragraph essay structure is employed and practiced with numerous essays.
The first semester is focused on research essays, utilizing a technique for analytic reading of sources. Students complete the “Planning for Success” essay as a model, while also learning about two important principles of success: the “Do Hard Things” and the “10,000 Hours” principles.
They then practice the research and essay skills while writing an essay on a subject of their choosing. Second semester essays include “Writing from the Brain,” literature, personal and impromptu timed essays. Students also learn a new set of style techniques, which are added to the Level 1 techniques that they continue to use. (8th-12th, meets every other week)