Hone your writing and critical thinking while mastering over 350 vocabulary words from college and graduate word lists and Advanced Placement (AP) writing, and learn top study skills for remembering vocabulary (and more!). 

Instructor Access (optional grading support) is available for Unlimited Access or Single Access. 
See the sidebar to the left for signup information!

NOTICE: This is an older course recorded with Adobe Connect and/or Vimeo recordings. We are currently working to replace the recordings with new Zoom recordings.  Please don't hesitate to email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com with any questions.

Note: This is Part One of a 2-part course. Each part can be taken independently or together, in any order; however, your student may prefer taking Part 1 before Part 2.

Total Classes: 14
Suggested grade level: 10th grade or high school students who meet the prerequisite requirements
Suggested credit: One (1) full semester Vocabulary & Writing, Writing, or English
Prerequisites: Required: High School Essential Writing 1: Punctuation and Grammar I (HS 9-1) and High School Simplified Writing 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills (HS 9-2)

Recommended: High School Essential Writing 2: Excellent Paragraph and Essay Writing (HS 9-3) and High School Simplified Writing 2: Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay (HS 9-4).

Prerequisites can also be taken as a recorded course through Unlimited Access. An alternative to the prerequisite: a passing Punctuation & Grammar Assessment (only) from the Aquinas Writing Advantage Assessment service.

Course Description: In this course (the first of two successive courses), your student will learn over 350 upper-level vocabulary words related to writing that are needed for high school advanced writing, Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition courses, the ACT and SAT, advanced writing courses, and all of college writing—and an introduction to the concepts associated with the terms.  Because vocabulary is the number one indicator of success on college entrance testing, if you want your student to not only score well on testing but also be able to be prepared for college writing and vocabulary, this course is for you. Coursework will be focused on the critical thinking and writing practice needed for your future success, and each week, you’ll learn tips and how-to’s for learning the words with comprehension and memory, giving you comprehension methods that can be used in any course.

Course Outline:

• Class 1: Writing for a Purpose and Audience

• Class 2: Worldview, Critical Thinking, & Passive/Active Voice

• Class 3: Writing Effective Sentences; Diction & Syntax

• Class 4: Writing Effective Paragraphs: Structure; Linear Writing; Active writing; Transitions and Connectives

• Class 5: Punctuation and its Effect on Writing

• Class 6: Grammar, Usage, & Mechanics for Clarity

• Class 7: Types of Writing

• Class 8: Point of View, Tone, & Voice

• Class 9: Style

• Class 10: Techniques & Devices of Organization for Coherence

• Class 11: More Techniques & Devices of Organization

• Class 12: Composing Methods

• Class 13: Characteristics of an Effective Argument

• Class 14: Research Methods

Course Materials: Required Book: EB Conroy’s Simplified Vocabulary Guide may be ordered at http://amzn.to/2FKGXDC. Microsoft Word or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document is required. If you do not own Microsoft Word, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.

Homework: LIVE course and Instructor Access students will have weekly writing assignments with grading and direct feedback from the instructor. Recorded course students will complete the same work, and parents not using Instructor Access will grade the Recorded course students' work. There is an estimated four (4) to five (5) hours per week for homework outside of class time that includes reading, activities, writing assignment(s), studying for the quizzes, and responding to instructor feedback.