This late spring course offers an introduction to the The Lost Tools of Writing Level II, led by CiRCE-Certified Master Teacher Patty Bianco.

Over six sessions, those adults who would like to continue their learning path with The Lost Tools of Writing can encounter the judicial address. Our journey will begin with a review of the ideas, skills, and information learned in the persuasive essay from Level I. Together we will work through sample lessons in each two-hour class that will provide opportunities for us to grow in understanding of this material, to ask questions, and to discuss the ideas.

In this short course, we will build on the foundation of the three canons of classical rhetoric learned in LTW Level I. Through mimetic lessons, Patty Bianco will model the special topics of invention used to generate ideas for the judicial address, how to refine our arrangement tools to explore both sides of our issue, and show some key elocution elements to help with transitions within our paragraphs and new schemes and tropes to express our case.

Participants can choose to attend live sessions or watch recordings with the non-assessment option. For those looking for deeper understanding and practice, you can choose the assessment option to attend weekly and complete six weekly assignments which will be assessed and feedback provided in a Canvas course.

Looking forward to seeing you in class to where we can deepen 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, or teacher’s guide and student workbook). While there is no pre-reading necessary before the first class session, reading and practicing the lessons throughout the class weeks will 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 refundable. We expect that the weekly assignments for this course will require about 2-4 hours of work outside of live class sessions with reading and writing requirements. 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:

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 pm ET
Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 pm ET
Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 pm ET

Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 pm ET
Tuesday, June 25, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 pm ET
Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 pm ET

Teachers: Patty Bianco, Lead Teacher

Course Suggested Syllabus

Note: Syllabus is subject to change to the pace of this class.

Session 1
-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
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)
Arr: Refining the Case
Elo: A – Synecdoche (Litotes- session 5 or session 6)
Session 6
JA6: Catch up and review