This summer course offers an introduction to the new edition of The Lost Tools of Writing Level II, led by CiRCE-Certified Master Teacher Jacob Douvier.

Building on the persuasive essay learned in Level I, we will explore the judicial address. Over six sessions, this class for adults will model the mimetic teaching process, strengthen the foundation laid by Level I, and refine previously learned skills and ideas.

This short course will address the purpose and nature of LTW II, along with common difficulties that students and teachers sometimes experience.  We will focus on the different invention process that begins in JA 3 and is required by judicial addresses.

Working through sample lessons in each two-hour class will provide opportunities for us to grow in understanding this material, to ask questions, and to discuss the ideas.

We will work through the Special Topics of invention used to generate ideas for the judicial address and practice refining some arrangement elements from Level I. (Since our time is so short, most schemes and tropes will be included only as answers to your questions.)

Join us in deepening our understanding of the judicial address!

Prerequisites: Attendees should know the three canons of rhetoric practiced in LTW I: Invention, Arrangement, and Elocution. In addition, knowing the Common Topics and the pieces of the outline will help. Further, if you have internalized the thinking skills of Level I first, approaching Level II will be a delight.

Required Reading: To prepare, please purchase your LTW Level II resources (complete set, teacher’s guide, or student workbook). The LTW II Student Workbook will be used during class sessions. Reading, writing, and/or teaching individual lessons during the class weeks will also prove helpful.

Assessment Option

If you choose the assessment option, you are committing to submit weekly assignments in a timely manner for feedback and assessments. You may receive feedback from more than one assessor on your assignment. The fee for assessment is not based on how many assignments you submit. If you choose the assessment option and do not submit assignments, the fee is not reduced or refunded. We expect that the weekly reading and writing assignments for this course will require about 2-4 hours of work outside of live class sessions. Transfers and refunds are not available after the first week of the intensive. Certificates are issued by email for participants who complete all six assignments successfully. Please allow 2-4 weeks after the end of the intensive course to receive your certificate of completion.

Class Times:

Thursday, June 5, 2025, 2-4pm ET

Thursday, June 12, 2025, 2-4pm ET

Thursday, June 19, 2025, 2-4pm ET

Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2-4pm ET

Thursday, July 3, 2025, 2-4pm ET

Thursday, July 10, 2025, 2-4pm ET

Teacher: Jacob Douvier, Lead Teacher

Course Suggested Syllabus

Note: Syllabus is subject to change based on the pace of students in this class.

Session 1
-Introductions (experience with LTW)
-Expectations for class & HW; how to ask Q’s
-Level I review
JA 1
Inv: Character Bias
Arr: Refining Narratio
Elo: A- Personification, B- Apostrophe
Session 2
JA 2
Inv: Intro. Special Topics
Arr: Refining the Exordium
Elo: A- Terminating Sentences
Session 3
JA3
Inv: Justice, a Quale sit topic
Arr: Refining the Amplification
Elo: A- Compound Sentences, B- Complex Sentences

Session 4
JA4
Inv: Evidence
Arr: Refining the Refutation
Elo: from JA 2B- citations
Session 5
JA5
Inv: Laws I, Laws II (JA6 Inv), Quale sit (quality of action)
Arr: Refining the Case
Elo: If possible, we’ll discuss: A – Synecdoche & Litotes
Session 6
JA6: Catch up and review