In this dedicated composition course, students analyze and discuss real-world writing to provide an engaging and accessible context for developing their own writing to a high school level. By studying good writing, students will learn processes and techniques of good writers and then apply their insights to their own writing projects. By analyzing well-constructed sentences for grammar and style, students will develop their own confident individual writing “voice.” Students will perform in-depth analysis of interesting written works — including book reviews, journal articles, persuasive essays, and each other’s writing — and then apply these insights to explain and defend their own writing choices. Every assignment is designed to show young writers how a particular audience and purpose provides the motivation to write and guides the writing process. By the end of this course, students will have a solid understanding of the key elements of good essay writing at the early high school level, and will be confidently prepared for high school writing.
Note: This course is for grade 8 or higher students whose writing is less developed due to a late start or earlier lack of direct instruction. It is suited for students from a literature-based humanities (e.g., “classical”) background who want to develop their writing with an expert teacher. It is also suited for reluctant writers who have basic skills but lack confidence. It is not suited for younger students seeking to accelerate their writing development.
Note: The Confident Comp courses are not a complete English Language Arts course. Students seeking a complete English Language Arts course should enroll in the appropriate level TPS English Lit Analysis and Comp course instead of the Confident Comp course.
Note: Students needing to strengthen their Grammar foundation are encouraged to take TPS Grammar Foundations for Elementary and Middle School Writing in the summer before this course.
Note: To get an additional boost in writing improvement, students are encouraged to take TPS Writing for Middle School in the summer before this course.