Course Description

This self-paced online middle school essay writing class is designed to introduce young students to the basics of academic essay writing. Students have through August 25, 2023 to complete this course. Recorded lectures replace the live class element.

The basics covered include structure and organization, evaluation vs. summary, and developing specificity. We will practice writing in four basic academic essay modes: expository, descriptive, narrative, and argumentative. All student writing will receive instructor feedback, and students will have the opportunity to discuss writing in a group format in our web forum and live meetings. This class is designed to help students develop the writing confidence necessary for high school English classes.

Course Structure

Homework will be posted on Monday mornings and due Friday evening. Weekly student homework may include the following:

Reading handouts and resources provided by instructor.
Watching the recording. The recorded material each week will guide students through every step of the essay genre/prompt at hand and discuss strong writing strategies. See a sample lesson handout
Reading a short nonfiction memoir, argumentative prompt, short story prompt, or other material.
Writing a short essay or a second draft of an already drafted piece from this class. We will explore four essay formats: expository, descriptive, narrative, and argumentative.
Students may expect to spend 5-6 hours a week on coursework.

Who should enroll?

Rising 7th-9th graders

Technology Requirements

High speed, broadband Internet

Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)

Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures

Evaluation and Feedback

I will provide detailed critiques on all essay submissions. Students will have the opportunity to submit multiple drafts in order to receive the strongest grade possible. My critiques will take Structure (Organization), Content, and Clarity into account; I provide detailed rubrics for each essay assignment so students know what to expect.

See sample 1 of instructor feedback

See sample 2 of instructor feedback

Communication

An application is not necessary to join this course; you may register at your convenience. I will contact parents within 1-2 days of their registration being processed. Weekly check-in emails will be sent to both parents and students.

Required Texts

Course materials provided by Instructor. I will provide all handouts, presentations, online resources, prompts, and short reading passages.

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Instructor Bio

Lili Serbicki

Lili Serbicki is an experienced Advanced Placement English instructor with a professional background in writing, media, editing, and advertising. She is a 2009 graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville with a BA in Communication Arts and a Minor in Philosophy. She has over ten years of experience teaching high-level online courses, including AP Literature, AP Language, Creative Writing, poetry composition, argument and debate, and advanced test preparation classes. She has many years of experience providing student tutoring in areas of writing and mechanics as well as experience in small print publication, editing, and writing workshop leadership; she is a published author of poetry, fiction, nonfiction essay, and creative memoir across multiple literary journals. Over the past decade her students (including all course and tutoring students) have won many Silver Keys and Gold Keys in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at both the regional and national levels. In 2018 Mrs. Serbicki received recognition from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards as “an educator whose dedication, commitment, and guidance are represented by student work selected for national honors.” Contact: lserbicki[at]aimacademy.online

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All classes taught by Lili Serbicki