In this course, your student will learn the many types of non-fiction and fiction writing, including descriptive writing, reviews, how-to articles and instructions, news articles and journalistic reporting, types of business writing, speeches, creative/expressive story writing (songs, plays, and other forms of story), and the kinds of writing found in the bible (epistles/letters, genealogical writing, historical narratives, laws and statutory writing, parables, poetry, and proverbial writing). Special emphasis will be placed on knowing the characteristics of each kind of writing and how to identify different types of writing. Your student will also experiment with and practice writing within most of the forms. Your student will use all of the skills of writing learned to this point in the Essentials and Simplified Writing courses for middle school students.

Class 1: Types of Writing Overview, Purpose and Audience, Nonfiction and Fiction Writing
Class 2: How-to Writing and Instructional Writing
Class 3: An introduction to Journalism and News Reporting
Class 4: Expressive Writing – Forms of Story and Expression
Class 5: Descriptive Writing
Class 6: Business Writing
Class 7: Writing Reviews and Speeches
Class 8: Forms of Writing in the Bible

Total Number of Classes: Eight (8)
Prerequisites: Because courses in the program are sequential, for your student’s success, it is recommended that your student takes the 6/7 Series courses and the 7/8-1, 7/8-2, and 7/8-3 courses before joining the final 7/8 Series course. If the student is unable to take the previous courses LIVE, then it is acceptable to (at a minimum) watch the recordings on Unlimited Access. Special permission may be granted for attending this course without prerequisites. Please contact [email protected] to discuss permissions.
Required Materials: If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE. All other learning materials are provided FREE.
Suggested Credit: When combined with the 7/8-3 Course, this course is worth a full semester’s credit of middle school writing.

Live, Interactive Courses

During the week, multiple course sections, times, and instructors are offered for this course. Sign up for the time and the instructor that best meets your needs. Click here to see the days and instructors for the LIVE course offerings — and to sign up for a LIVE course.

Recorded, Independent-Learning Course

When you sign up for Unlimited Access and take this recorded course, your instructor is the designer and Director of Aquinas Writing Advantage, Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA (aka author EB Conroy/Erin Brown Conroy).