Rhetoric - Seattle Academy The Hub Rhetoric The Seattle Academy Department of Rhetoric thrives at the intersection of high-level academics and the Culture of Performance . Fundamentally, the program seeks to provide all students with a foundational understanding of Rhetoric. The ability to write and speak effectively and persuasively is necessary for the development of responsible citizenship and is essential in the professional world. All Seattle Academy students take a trimester of Rhetoric in 7th grade. In the Upper School, students may choose from any course in the Rhetoric department to meet their graduation requirement. These courses provide students the opportunity to practice their public speaking, argumentation, and presentation skills. Beyond required coursework, SAAS students participate in and excel at the State and National levels in a range of Rhetoric-based extracurricular activities, including Speech and Debate Mock Trial Ethics Bowl Model United Nations , and Youth Legislature MEET THE Rhetoric FACULTY Middle School In the Middle School, all 7th graders are required to take Rhetoric 7. As with Intro to Rhetoric in the US, this course is meant to provide students with a foundational knowledge of rhetorical appeals and introduce them to different speech formats. MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM GUIDE Upper School In the Upper School, students have a variety of Rhetoric courses they can select to meet their graduation requirements. Students with minimal to no public speaking experience are encouraged to take Intro to Rhetoric which provides students with a foundational knowledge of rhetorical devices and appeals, as well as different speech formats. Students who have prior public speaking experience or who wish to challenge themselves further can sign up for either Speech, Debate, or Mock Trial. These courses function as both classes and academic teams that require students to participate in interscholastic competitions outside of SAAS. All of our courses are designed to accommodate speakers of all experience levels. Upper School Curriculum Guide Debate The Seattle Academy Debate Team provides high school students with a highly competitive and rigorous elective and extracurricular program. Learn More About This Program Ethics Bowl The SAAS Ethics Bowl team participates in respectful and rigorous discussion of ethics among high school students across the state of Washington and Nationwide. Learn More About This Program Mock Trial Mock Trial encourages SAAS students to participate in the judicial branch of our government while they acquire leadership, team building, and public speaking skills. Learn More About This Program Model United Nations Seattle Academy Model United Nations (MUN) offers students opportunities to simulate countries, organizations, or individuals in a highly collaborative and competitive environment with students from across the area, state, nation, and even the world. Learn More About This Program Speech The Seattle Academy Speech Team team offers the opportunity for students to be part of a competitive and supportive team, regardless of experience level. Learn More About This Program Youth Legislature Youth Legislature helps students develop their abilities in the types of leadership, critical thinking skills, and public speaking that will help them to become active participants in our modern democratic society. Learn More About This Program Which courses can I take to meet the Rhetoric graduation requirement? When do I need to complete my Rhetoric requirement? Is Intro to Rhetoric a freshman-only course? What types of speeches or presentations will I have to give in Rhetoric 7? What types of speeches or presentations will I have to give in Intro to Rhetoric? If I took Rhetoric 7 in the Middle School, do I have to take another Rhetoric course in the Upper School? Students may choose from any of the following courses to meet the graduation requirement: Intro to Rhetoric, Speech, Debate, or Mock Trial. Please note that Intro to Rhetoric is a one-trimester course, and the remaining courses are two-trimester courses that take place over Fall and Winter Tri. Any time before you graduate! However, most students choose to complete their Rhetoric requirement during their freshman year. Intro to Rhetoric was originally called Rhetoric 9 and was a freshman-only course. However, since graduation requirements for Rhetoric have changed, this course is now open to any Upper School student. With that said, the class still largely remains a course that is taken by freshmen. Students in Rhetoric 7 will present both a persuasive speech and a mini TED Talk on a topic of their choosing, in addition to a short personal story in our Storytelling unit. Students in Intro to Rhetoric present both an informative and persuasive speech on a topic of their choosing. Yes. Every Upper School student is required to take one Rhetoric course to meet their graduation requirement. While there are concepts and terms that are taught in both Rhetoric 7 and Intro to Rhetoric, the courses are not the same and students will be acquiring new information in addition to building upon what they learned in the Middle School course.