CurriculumResearcher

College-Ready Writing Essentials

by BetterRhetor Resources LLChttps://collegereadywriting.com/home-edition-writing-instruction/

ElaGrades 9–12

College-Ready Writing Essentials: Classical Essay Writing Course for High School

College-Ready Writing Essentials is a five-week online writing course designed to teach high school students how to write college-level persuasive research essays. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, argumentation, and classical rhetorical principles through video instruction and structured assignments.

Best for

High school students (grades 9-12) preparing for college-level writing, particularly those in homeschool settings or unable to access college-prep writing classes

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 3 neutral · 3 insufficient evidence

Text ComplexityStrength

The curriculum aims for college-level writing complexity and includes sample essays of varying quality.

Course focuses on college-level essay writing with sample essays provided to demonstrate different quality levels

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum uses direct instruction through video and written lessons with guided practice.

Each lesson includes video and written instruction by Dr. Bryant, with assignments that build necessary skills and sample essays for analysis

Writing InstructionStrength

The curriculum provides structured, explicit writing instruction with clear progression through the writing process.

25 lessons walk students through writing process, mechanics, argumentation, MLA formatting, and includes peer review exercises with structured feedback forms

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and transforming knowledge rather than building systematic domain knowledge.

Dr. Bryant states students need to 'transform knowledge by teasing out new insights, bringing ideas together in new ways' and 'adding perspective that can change the way people think'

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes peer review exercises but does not emphasize systematic retrieval practice.

Students engage in peer review of introduction, body, and conclusion sections with guided questions, but no mention of spaced review or recall exercises

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsNeutral

The curriculum focuses on essay writing rather than reading whole books or excerpts.

The course teaches students to write a three- to five-page persuasive research essay, with sample essays provided for analysis

Teacher TrainingInsufficient Evidence

No specific teacher training materials are mentioned in the curriculum description.

Review indicates this is a student-facing online course without mention of teacher guides or professional development resources

Systematic PhonicsInsufficient Evidence

Not applicable for this high school writing curriculum.

Course is designed for grades 9-12 and focuses on essay writing skills

Vocabulary BuildingInsufficient Evidence

Vocabulary instruction is not explicitly mentioned as a curriculum component.

Review focuses on writing mechanics, argumentation, and essay structure without specific mention of vocabulary development

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com

Review Sources

cathyduffy

Cathy Duffy

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Key Facts
GradesGrades 9–12
SubjectEla
PedagogyClassical
Visit Publisher Website →

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: cathyduffy