On occasion, older students visit classrooms to share their past work. In addition, students write for audiences outside of the classroom, submitting work to publications and contests. Care is taken to select literature which is appropriate to the age level of students and which complements other offerings in terms of theme, historical time period, and gender and ethnic balance. Students not only acquire knowledge and appreciation of literature but also the tools to analyze new texts in a variety of forms and genres. The rhetoric segment of the program begins with the study of the sentence, paragraph, and short essay in the subfreshman year, advances to basic rhetorical strategies in sophomore and junior years, and moves in the senior year to the difficult and sophisticated debate form of argument.
Composition is taught with a strong emphasis on process and revision.
Students are taught to pay particular attention to organization, thesis, and use of evidence for both persuasive and expository modes. Research techniques are taught and research papers or projects are required in all five years. Formal Standard English usage and proofreading skills are developed. Composition is based on logical classification. Additionally, students participate in speech-giving, creative dramatics, and oral reading of poetry.