The central subject of the rhetoric stage is Rhetoric. This subject will teach the tool of the rhetoric stage.
Rhetoric is essential because it teaches how to communicate, both in writing and in speaking.
But Philosophy provides the subject matter that gives our children something of substance to communicate. Therefore these subjects are the heart of the rhetoric stage curriculum, again, having Biblical studies as the backbone of both. Maximum time should be allowed in the curriculum for these subjects, along with Great Books Literature and History. Other subjects can be added as the homeschool mom has the time, desire, and ability, or as is required by state homeschooling laws. Please see the introduction to the Dialectic scope and sequence for more on streamlining the secondary curriculum.