Description

Basic Composition & Academic Writing is designed to give students the essential building blocks of English writing and the tools to write a paper. Writing is one of the most essential—and often most intimidating—skills for students to master. This course is designed to walk your student through every stage of writing, from understanding the work of a sentence to revising a full-length argumentative paper. Whether your child is a hesitant writer or already crafting paragraphs, this class builds confidence, clarity, and skill.

The course is divided into two main blocks: Basic Writing Concepts (covering grammar, sentence structure, and writing principles) and Application of Concepts (focusing on essay writing and revision techniques). By the end of this class, students will not only understand essential grammar rules but will also have completed multiple drafts of an argumentative paper.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define and understand basic grammar rules and apply them consistently
• Construct clear, effective sentences using proper structure and varied styles
• Write a complete, well-organized argumentative paper
• Apply principles of concision, clarity, and effectiveness in their writing
• Integrate quotes and sources appropriately into academic writing
• Revise and edit their work using systematic principles and techniques
• Maintain a personalized master checklist of editing principles for future use

What’s Included

• Weekly live instruction covering grammar, composition, and writing techniques
• Individual office hours for personalized feedback and guidance
• Peer review groups for collaborative learning and feedback
• Multiple paper drafts with instructor feedback throughout the writing process
• Mini exercises to reinforce each writing principle
• Comprehensive final exam combining practical and theoretical knowledge
• Personalized editing guide creation for future writing projects
• Final grade submitted to parents for their records

Who This Class Is For

This course is perfect for students who:

• Have never written an argumentative paper or only written book reports
• Have written a few papers but lack confidence in their writing skills
• Have never taken a formal grammar or writing class
• Understand basic grammar but find writing papers difficult and discouraging
• Want to learn thorough editing and revision techniques

Class Details

Credit: Half Credit in High School English/Language Arts

Recommended Grade Range: 7th-11th Grade

The class will meet weekly over Zoom on Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 AM Central Time according to the schedule below. The format will include interactive lectures, writing workshops, peer review sessions, and individual conferences with the instructor.

About the Instructor

Camille Floyd holds a B.A. in English from Lipscomb University and recently completed postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. With experience as a Teacher’s Assistant in Advanced Composition and a writing tutor, she is passionate about helping students grow in confidence and find their unique voice. Camille brings insight from varied academic settings to support well-rounded, effective writing instruction.

Required Materials

All course materials will be provided by the instructor, including:

• Selections from famous essays, writing textbooks, and academic papers
• Grammar and writing exercises
• Academic paper examples for analysis
• Writing workshop materials and revision checklists

Students should have:

• Computer or laptop with reliable internet connection
• Word processing software (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or similar)
• Notebook and writing materials for planning and note-taking

Schedule of Class Meetings

All Thursdays, all scheduled from 10:00-11:00 AM Central Time.

Block 1: Basic Writing Concepts

1. Sep 4 – Course Introduction, Syllabus, Learning Objectives, Student Goal Setting
2. Sep 11 – Lesson 1: SVO, Work of a Sentence
3. Sep 18 – Lesson 2a: Parts of Speech
4. Sep 25 – Lesson 2b: Parts of Speech
5. Oct 2 – Lesson 3: Effectiveness & Correctness
6. Oct 9 – Lesson 5: Concision
7. Oct 16 – Lesson 6: Clarity
8. Oct 23 – Fall Break
9. Oct 30 – Recapture Week: Mini exercises to review each principle

Block 2: Application of Concepts, Essay Writing, Principles of Revision

10. Nov 6 – Work/Structure of an Essay, Formulating a Claim
11. Nov 13 – Work of a Paragraph
12. Nov 20 – Quote Integration
13. Nov 27 – Thanksgiving Break
14. Dec 4 – Paper Writing, Principles of Revision (Individual Office Hours)
15. Dec 11 – Paper Writing, Principles of Revision (Peer-Review Groups)
16. Dec 18 – Final Exam: Paper Submission and Comprehensive Exam

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t attend the live Zoom sessions?

All the sessions will be recorded and posted for enrolled students to watch at their convenience. You can use the recordings to review or catch up if you missed a session.

Students who can’t make the schedule above can still participate in the class assignments and group discussions by watching the recordings and communicating in the group on My Compass Classroom.

What kinds of assignments and assessments are included?

Assignments include grammar exercises, mini writing tasks, multiple drafts of an argumentative paper, peer review activities, and a comprehensive final exam. All assignments are designed to build systematic writing skills and confidence.

Will my student receive a final grade?

Yes! Camille will provide a suggested final grade based on student performance on assignments, paper drafts, class participation, and the final exam. Since this is a live homeschool course, the parent has the final authority and may use this grade as part of their student’s official transcript or records.

Is there a minimum enrollment required?

All live classes are subject to minimum enrollment in order to hold. If minimum enrollment is not reached before the first scheduled session, all students will be notified and refunded completely.

Do you offer refunds on live classes?

We think you will love this class. If you don’t, you may request a refund but must do so no later than before the second scheduled class after your enrollment (purchase) date. This gives you the chance to experience an entire live class session to make your decision.

How long will I have access to the class?

Recording access expires 6 weeks after the last live session. Students are free to continue working through the course on their own during this time. However, no submissions will be graded after the final class meeting, or as directed by the instructor.