Jan 28-April 29; No Class Feb 18, April 15

This class is typically for students in 9th-12th grade, often ages 14-17.

This well-known classic mystery writer takes her readers on an intriguing adventure, full of twists and turns, on a high speed rail. This “who done it” will give our students pleanty to consider when studying the story AND the author’s craft. Students will deepen their skills in the writing concepts to complete full length 5-paragraph essays, focusing on the advanced stylistic elements high essays need to shine. The writing topics will include MLA formatting instruction, intro to APA standards, advanced grammar skills, and high-school level prompts.

Reading and essay writing (advanced)

Skills Needed to Succeed in this Class

• Prerequisite: Advanced Writing Foundations for ALL new students.

• Able to read complex novels with challenging vocabulary and mature content

• Practices the following study skills: 

  ○ Novel annotations and charting 

  ○ Summarizing 

  ○ Note-taking 

• Familiar with literary analysis writing and correctly weaving quotes into essay

• Shows a degree of mastery writing a 3 body paragraph essay and is ready to consistently write 5 paragraph essays 

• Ready to learn how to write a research paper 

• Shows evidence of time management skills 

• Able to complete 5-6 hours of homework weekly

Skilled Learned in this Class

• Fully developing a topic by writing multiple paragraphs 

• Following the essay format of an introduction with a hook, a strong thesis, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph 

• Providing specific examples from the novel to support assertions

• Explaining the examples with insightful literary analysis, using concrete details and supporting commentary sentences 

• Creating quality sentences by including many stylistic elements including strong vocabulary, varied sentence structure and length with proper punctuation, and adding figurative elements. 

NOTE: At the Advanced Level, at least one semester each school year, students will be required to write a research paper for their enrichment project. The research paper will in some way be related to the novel they are studying.

Other Class Details

12 weeks

Class meets for 2 hours per week. 

Maximum class size 15 students.

Supplies: pencil, paper, class novel (see Study Book), TWJ Writing Foundations Handbook

Gmail account to access Google Classroom and communicate with instructor

Murder on the Orient Express

by Agatha Christie

ISBN-13 : ‎ 978-0062073501

(Click to purchase novel on Amazon)

As one of the most well-known classics with many adaptations in film and script, this novel by Jules Verne takes readers on an adventure through many cultures, modes of transportation, and wild imagination. We will consider deep concepts in possibilities, tenacity, and loyalty. The rich vocabulary and text allows high school students an opportunity to explore the historical settings and days-gone-by, while still looking at the wonder of science and exploration. Our enrichment projects will afford students the options well suited to discovery!

For families that pay out-of-pocket for homeschooling classes, The Write Journey, LLC offers a discount of 10% for those classes. Use code “PRIVATEPAY” during check out to apply discount. This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts. The reduced rates for private-pay individuals may be used by students enrolled in charter schools, but only if the family chooses to pay for the goods or services out-of-pocket.

Venmo, PayPal, or Check? Use code “PERSONAL” during check out to change the class cost to $0. After you complete the registration process, please send us your payment. Venmo @TheWriteJourney-Cordell PayPal (Friends & Family) – info@thewritejourney.net

Paying with Charter School Funds? Use code “CHARTER” during check out to change the class cost to $0. After completing the registration process, contact your charter school to order vouchers/purchase orders in three one-month payments. Contact us for assistance if you plan to use charter funds and do not find The Write Journey (or Writing with Kris or Kris Cordell) on your charter school’s vendor list.

To pay with a check, contact us at 916.696.1759.

Cancellation Policy:

Due to the administrative costs and preparations of The Write Journey team to prepare classes and offer reasonable class sizes of 8-16 students, we must charge a cancellation fee. Teachers typically begin communication 2 weeks before classes begin, and class schedules must be finalized in order to offer the correct number of spots open for families. 

A $25 cancellation fee will be charged up to 2 weeks prior to the start of the ordered class. Any time after 2 weeks prior to the start of class, the cancellation fee is one full month’s charge. For private pay families with more than 2 children, a flat rate of $50 will be charged.