Writing & Rhetoric Series

Name: Writing & Rhetoric Series
Brand: Classical Academic Press

by Classical Academic Press

ElaGrades 4–12

Writing & Rhetoric Series: Classical Progymnasmata-Based Writing Program

The Writing & Rhetoric Series is a 12-book classical writing curriculum based on ancient progymnasmata exercises, teaching students to write by working from exemplary models. Students progress from narrative writing through expository, descriptive, and persuasive forms while developing public speaking skills across grades 4-12.

Best for

Homeschooling families and classical schools seeking systematic writing instruction for grades 4-12, particularly those following classical education principles and wanting structured, teacher-led writing development

Evaluation Criteria

5 strengths · 1 concern · 2 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Text ComplexityStrength

The curriculum uses age-appropriate complex texts that increase in difficulty, though they are primarily excerpts rather than full works.

The series progresses from simple fables to complex persuasive essays, with later books becoming 'increasingly challenging' and the last books appearing suitable for 'high school students'

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum includes comprehensive teacher guides with detailed instructions, suggested answers, and teaching notes, making it accessible for inexperienced educators.

Teacher editions include 'complete student text with overprinted suggested answers, notes on the purpose of each lesson, dictation sentences, examples of responses for writing assignments' and are 'very user-friendly, even for inexperienced parents'

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum facilitates direct instruction with clear lesson structures, teacher guidance, and explicit skill-building exercises that require teacher interaction.

Lessons are 'very easy to follow' but 'aren't designed for independent study and the material does need to be presented by a parent or teacher'

Vocabulary BuildingStrength

The curriculum includes systematic vocabulary development through dictionary work, word study, and morphological analysis within the context of writing exercises.

Skills include 'expanding vocabulary' and exercises require students to 'circle and look up the meanings of unfamiliar words' and work with 'vocabulary, grammar, main ideas, word usage'

Writing InstructionStrength

This curriculum provides highly structured, systematic writing instruction using the classical progymnasmata method, teaching students to write by imitating exemplary models.

Students learn writing 'by working from exemplary models rather than by dreaming up their own ideas' and develop skills including 'outlining, writing dialogue, providing details to support an opinion, amplification, summarizing, creating a story plot'

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsConcern

The curriculum uses excerpts and shorter texts rather than whole books, working with fables, narratives, legends, and myths as models for writing instruction.

Students work with 'fables, narratives, legends, myths, and other excerpts' and audio files feature 'reading of the fables, narratives, legends, myths, and other excerpts presented in the books'

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum incorporates some historical content through its chronologically arranged writing models, but knowledge-building appears secondary to writing skill development.

Models are 'loosely connected to historical periods in a chronological fashion' from ancient Greece through the Great Depression, and discussion questions 'relate to Scripture, current events, or other readings'

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes some elements of review through narration exercises and memorization components, but lacks systematic retrieval practice.

Students engage in 'narration, retelling the story in their own words' and starting in Book 6, 'students memorize a quotation related to a lesson theme' in the 'Memoria' section

Systematic PhonicsInsufficient Evidence

Phonics instruction is not applicable as this curriculum is designed for students in grades 4-12 who already have basic reading and writing skills.

Students 'need to be able to identify and write complete sentences' and 'identify subjects and predicates' before beginning the first book

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com