Persuasive Writing and Classical Rhetoric

Practicing the Habits of Great Writers


This is a 36-week language arts curriculum for students in grades 9-12. Students will learn how to write persuasively through the framework of classical rhetoric and by practicing the habits of great writers: writers write, writers read, and writers think. While the focus is on writing, students will also read and interpret great works of non-fiction and learn about style, including correctness in grammar and clarity in sentence structure. Use this curriculum by itself for language arts credit or as a supplement to hone student writing skills. ​

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Available in both Digital and Print Editions

At Silverdale Press, we understand how hard it is for parents to teach writing. That’s why we’ve made this curriculum easy to use. We, along with the world’s greatest writers, take care of the instruction. Daily and weekly schedules keep you organized and on track. The answer key and persuasive writing rubric make giving feedback simple. This course prepares students for writing in college and professional life. 

What students will learn and do:
  • Students will learn how to choose a subject, research and take notes, invent a claim and appeals, organize and outline, and revise a persuasive essay for correctness, clarity, ornamentation, and propriety.  
  • Weekly exercises help students build a final, persuasive essay step-by-step.
  • Each lesson includes an in-depth profile of a great writer or rhetorician from history. 
  • Students will read classic works by Patrick Henry, Daniel Webster, Rachel Carson, William Wilberforce, Antonin Scalia, Ida Tarbell, Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill, Dorothy Sayers, Thomas Clarkson, William Strunk, Jane Austen, Augustine, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, John Locke, and more! 
  • Students will answer review questions that reinforce lesson concepts and enhance reading comprehension.
  • Each week, students will write persuasive essays, based on an engaging prompt we provide. 
  • In the final section, students will polish, pitch, and submit their writing for publication. 

The curriculum package includes everything you need:
  • Lesson Book (235 pages)
  • Workbook (consumable, 202 pages)
  • Reader (111 pages)
  • Answer Key (68 pages)

Other features:
  • Lessons include pro-tips from the curriculum authors, who are published and professional writers
  • Inspiring quotes about the writing life are sprinkled throughout