Pre-Rhetoric and Progymnasmata

Description

Pre-Rhetoric and Progymnasmata: A Curriculum Exploring Ancient Greek and Roman Oratory Rhetorical Devices and Writing is now available from Lutheran author Marie MacPherson, of Into Your Hands, LLC. This curriculum consists of 12 lessons, which are intended to be taught one every 2-3 weeks for an entire school year.

Organization

Pre-Rhetoric and Progymnasmata is organized into 12 lessons, each consisting of four main sections. This instruction guide is meant for scripted teacher use; a separate printable includes a student notebook for use during class and can be copied for a single classroom for one year. Instructors know their students best and can adapt the curriculum for simplicity in the family or classroom, or tailor it for a specific student. Aim to complete a lesson approximately every 2-3 weeks of the school year.

Please note that this curriculum is not a comprehensive language arts curriculum. I recommend adding grammar and literature to this curriculum. A comprehensive curriculum in Language Arts might be supplemented by this curriculum, using one day a week dedicated to Pre-Rhetoric and Progymnasmata, with the instruction of this lesson plan during week one, and students writing and delivering multiple versions of the progymnasmata step in the second and third weeks.

If the instructor chooses formal assessment through the provided rubric in Appendix A, or another means, it is suggested that the teacher specify the length expected for the writing examples. Suggestions:

• 100-250 words for grade school.
• 250-500 words for middle school.
• 500+words for high school.

It is also handy if the teacher requires the students to underline or otherwise mark their choices of rhetorical devices in the writing samples that they turn in, so the instructor can quickly and easily grant credit for their inclusion.

Supplies Needed

The teacher should have this teacher’s guide, as well as a whiteboard or place to write and display examples. Students should have copies of the student notebook and pencils. Technology to view a few of the speeches is helpful, but not required. Pronunciation for rhetorical devices can be found at Silva Rhetoricae (rhetoric.byu.edu).

Student Prerequisites

Prior to taking this course, students should already have a foundation in the basics of grammar and handwriting. If they are already used to being able to write a paragraph (younger range of students) or a five-paragraph essay (older range of students), they should be able to be successful in progymnasmata.

Copyright

Rights are given for one family unit (not extended family) to use this PDF without limitation, or one classroom teacher to this unit for one year. Please inquire at Into Your Hands, LLC for multi-use licenses for co-ops or schools.