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Getting ds ready for college writing...


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My ds will be a senior next year and is still a very weak writer (obviously my fault since he has been homeschooled all the way!) What, in your opinion, would be the quickest/most effective tool to get his writing up to speed? Mostly, I think the problem is that he doesn't fill in any details. In other words, he can come up with an outline, but then his paper looks like his outline, with nothing added!:tongue_smilie:I've been toying with the idea of using The Elegant Essay, SWI-C, or Lost Tools of Writing (but I'm not sure I have the time to figure this one out, based on other posts I have read...) I have 3 other children to homeschool, so time is valuable. He has taken a couple of on-line courses (Home2Teach, Write@home) and his papers look a lot better for them than for me (and they actually get completed)...so maybe I need to shell out more money for an on-line course? If so, any suggestions for an on-line course? Is the Memoria Press LTOW Class any good? What about the Laurel Tree Tutorial class? Any help out there for me? Thanks.

 

Martha

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My two cents? I would consider having your student take Advanced Composition from the Potter's School.

 

I have put both of my teens through that course, and think it is excellent. Both girls had Mrs. Troxells, but I think her sections are full for next year. I have had good experiences with various Potter's School English classes over the years, so I'm sure the other teachers would be excellent as well.

 

HTH. :)

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Thanks for the replies, Lynn and Michelle. The Potters School class requires approval by the teacher since he hasn't had a previous class through them...I wonder if he could even qualify. It does sound rigorous! Michelle, we have the Lively Art of Writing. He supposedly read it when he took one of his on-line classes. The problem is, he never seems to apply his knowledge (including his knowledge of spelling rules :glare:). sigh...I think I need a miracle. I'm still open for suggestions...

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Thanks for the replies, Lynn and Michelle. The Potters School class requires approval by the teacher since he hasn't had a previous class through them...I wonder if he could even qualify. It does sound rigorous! Michelle, we have the Lively Art of Writing. He supposedly read it when he took one of his on-line classes. The problem is, he never seems to apply his knowledge (including his knowledge of spelling rules :glare:). sigh...I think I need a miracle. I'm still open for suggestions...

 

What about trying for a different class? Or he could take the placement test for Advanced Composition and just see what happens. I had one friend's son take a Potter's School placement test and they just placed him in a slightly different class than the one he had originally applied for.

 

Intro to Literature would also be an excellent choice. Mrs. Troxell has Adventure Literature still open (the book list looks great, especially for boys). Other good choices might be the Fantasy/Science Fiction combinations.

 

Not to sound like I work for the Potter's School; I don't! :) But it sounds like one of their classes might be a great transition to get your son ready for college.

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Martha, What is your goal for this year? To do well on essays for college applications or SAT/ACT or to round out his writing in general? I would second the recommendation for Potters School or if it's for a college test have you considered the IEW High School Essay Intensive? Our dd couldn't write an essay in 25 minutes - more like hours. She went to an ACT test prep class and they showed the DVD. She sat down and wrote an essay with 5 minutes to spare and it was good! I'm sold on it and and going to purchase it myself.

 

He has taken a couple of on-line courses (Home2Teach, Write@home) and his papers look a lot better for them than for me (and they actually get completed)...so maybe I need to shell out more money for an on-line course? If so, any suggestions for an on-line course? Is the Memoria Press LTOW Class any good? What about the Laurel Tree Tutorial class? Any help out there for me? Thanks. Martha

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DragonAcademy, would MCT's Advanced Academic Writing 1 be the right place to start?

 

Holdoll, I think what I am looking for is something that would improve his writing in general so that he could comfortably write any paper assigned to him AND I would like wriing to not be such a chore for him. I'm not sure if he just needs to learn how to think more about what needs to be included in his paper (which is why LTOW appeals to me), or whether he just needs guidance on how to flesh out a paper better (i.e., adding quotations, personal experiences, etc.). In the immediate future, I would love to see his SAT writing score improve (it was no surprise to me that he got a 6 the first time, but I honestly don't see that score improving without some major intervention right now!). I can help him edit his papers for flowability and grammar, but I don't know how to help him with his content.

 

I really appreciate everyone's input so far.

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Might I suggest MCT's Advanced Academic Writing. I recommend this book to my comm. college students who require help with their writing. It covers everything that students will need to know to write strong academic papers.

 

I would love to make AAW a required text for my courses.

:iagree: This was going to be my suggestion as well.

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