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Writing Power (Style, Flow, Clarity, and Revision)
Deposit Due at Time of Registration:
$82.50
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In order to communicate effectively through writing, we must learn to craft sentences that are clear and grammatically correct. Join us this semester to focus on understanding sentence structure and using that understanding to fine-tune and correct any writing assignment!
This class is for three types of students:
- students who write well-developed papers but struggle with editing and revision,
- students who have completed countless grammar worksheets without understanding how grammar concepts connect to their own writing,
- students who have had negative experiences–or little experience at all–with grammar so far.
Don’t let the word grammar scare you! Grammar is a tool that writers use to make sense of their language, and the best writers understand how to use this tool with excellence. This one-semester class is interesting, interactive, and incredibly beneficial for helping students use grammar to improve their own writing, to better analyze the writing of others, and even (as a bonus) to conquer the English/writing section of the SAT and ACT.
Rather than suffering through pages of grammar exercises, students will think deeply about the structure of the English language, focusing on how all grammar concepts connect at the sentence level—because that is where basic editing takes place. Each week, students will learn/review grammar concepts in context, and they will practice using their understanding of grammar to improve their own writing in terms of style, usage, punctuation, and even content.
Along the way, students will look at some of those seemingly trifling rules of grammar and writing such as when to spell out numbers, whether to use affect or effect, and how to avoid passive voice (or even to use it for rhetorical effect); and they will weigh in on some of the ever-changing rules of grammar such as whether or not it okay to split an infinitive or to start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction.
Please note that this course is designed for students who already know how to write well-developed paragraphs with topic sentences, support, and concluding sentences. The focus is on improving and editing paragraphs rather than on learning to write paragraphs.
Please view prerequisites and required supplies below.
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Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss (ISBN-13: 978-1592404889)
Painless Grammar by Rebecca Elliott (ISBN-13: 978-1438007748)
$10 materials fee for access to a Daily Grammar Practice digital workbook
Dawn Burnette is truly excited to be part of the Excelsior family as an English teacher! Dawn holds a B.A. in English Education/Journalism from Lenoir-Rhyne University and an M.A. in English Education from Georgia State University. She has also earned National Board Certification and gifted endorsement. While teaching English at a public high school for 15 years, Dawn served as English department chair, coached a nationally ranked dance team, and won a few local, state, and national teaching awards. Dawn loves sharing her passion for reading and writing, and she works tirelessly to help students reach their academic potential and to glorify God in all pursuits. Soli Deo Gloria!
When it was time for their children to start school, Dawn and her husband Rod moved the family from an Atlanta suburb to the North Georgia mountains, acquired way too many animals, and spent the next 12 years homeschooling. Their daughter Ansley recently graduated from Samford University with a double major in English and Theatre and works at Sight & Sound in Pennsylvania, and their son Beck is a Communication major on a golf scholarship at Lee University.
Check our calendar for start dates
2 reviews for Writing Power (Style, Flow, Clarity, and Revision) (5.00/5 stars)
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J.D. –
Hello Friends! I am one of the students from this class – Writing Power by Mrs. Burnette.
First of all, Excelsior is an amazing program to sign up for. Personally, though I understand that there are also a plethora of other amazing courses, this one, for me, has been by far, the best. Excelsior offers a diverse variety of classes with some of the most outstanding, Biblical-teaching instructors who enforce Biblical principles as well as encouraging, but faith-challenging words that any student will experience every week. In addition, there are even clubs and fun social events for any age to experience. From Bible classes or fun trivia to an online school lock-in event, students couldn’t possibly not be having fun. It’s absolutely amazing! I realized I really love this course after a year of making close connections not only with the teachers, but also with the students that I am surrounded with. I even met an online student in person once! However, don’t get me wrong, even though Excelsior offers some of the most amazing experiences a student could ever experience, the teachers offer challenging courses with clear and simple instruction in the Excelsior classes as well as in the week-to-week homework assignments.
Secondly, this class, Writing Power with Mrs. Burnette, has literally upgraded my writing skills above and beyond what I thought she could. Mrs. Burnette is certainly one of my favorite teachers for so many reasons including: how kind and caring she is to all of the students, how she encourages writing skill as well as a closer relationship with God, how she includes a touch of humor and fun every week, and so much more. This is my second year with Excelsior and, even though Mrs. Burnette is a one-of-a-kind English teacher, all of the teachers, hands down, are absolutely amazing. In every class, there is also a discussion every week in Excelsior to chat with the other students. Also, of course, with parental permission, we could even exchange emails! I am so grateful I got to experience that, especially, when the teachers encourage godly goals as well as friendships. Frankly, to put it lightly, Mrs. Burnette has truthfully encouraged me to be a greater student striving after God’s glory and I know that that makes Him proud :). Thank you, Mrs. Burnette (for all of your hard work)!!!
P.S. Honestly, it’s hard not to love this program lol.
Tony Taylor –
This class has improved my writing tremendously. While helping me write clearer sentences, Writing Power also helped me develop my points. I would definitely recommend the teacher. This year I learned how to write my papers without a point-by-point guide. Last year in her class, Building Confident Writers, Mrs. Burnette taught us to answer questions to build our papers. I would definitely recommend that class too. This is my second year with Mrs. Burnette. She is overly considerate… Mrs. Burnette also helps students with their homework if needed. Before starting class, she always reads a scripture verse and prays for her students. She doesn’t overload us with homework. This year we turned in three\/four homework assignments every week. The homework is due the day before the next class. Prior to starting classes, you should order the necessary books for this course. Mrs. Brunette has more than one course, so check them out.