Introduction

Beginning the 2012-2013 school year, we are implementing a classical writing curriculum called the Progymnasmata. The name is derived from the Greek meaning “the before exercises.” It’s a structured program for 4th-10th graders that is designed to teach students how to write and to prepare them for the Rhetoric years. As Jim Selby, Dean of Faculty at Whitefield Academy, has said, “The Rhetoric teacher will find a group of skilled, competent writers who are ready to turn their attention specifically to understanding the needs of the many audiences they will engage in the future. From five paragraph essays, academic articles, and thesis papers to poems, journals, and extemporaneous speeches, students are equipped with the basic ability to invent an unending stream of relevant ideas and the skill to craft the ideas to a form most suited to a particular, contemporary audience.”

Articles for further reading:

The Vertical Integration of Aphthonius’ Progymnasmata

Aphthonius’ Progymnasmata as a Means to Preparing Innovative Communicators

Classis Article “A Classical Approach to Writing Instruction: The Progymnasmata”