Rhetoric in the Classical School
Emphasis on the Trivium sets classical Christian education apart from all other school models. Each phase of the Trivium — Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric — is critical to the formation of the ideal PCS graduate who is fully equipped to impact his or her culture for Christ.
In high school, the Rhetoric phase is when students not only synthesize all that they have learned in their previous schooling, but they also gain a nuanced and complicated understanding of the material that they are studying and learn how to communicate that understanding effectively. Students learn the art of persuasion and how to speak and write winsomely. They also become perceptive and discerning listeners.
As most adults were not classically educated themselves, we encourage parents to learn all they can about this final phase of the Trivium. Read more about the teaching of Rhetoric in the classical school in this article from the Spring 2020 edition of The Classical Difference Magazine.
Click here to read “Speaking Freely?!” by Kevin Clark.
About the Author: Kevin Clark is the founder and president of The Ecclesial Schools Initiative, an organization that supports the growth and mission of the church by partnering with local congregations to found a network of affordable and truly accessible classical Christian schools. Kevin is co-author of The Liberal Arts Tradition available through Classical Academic Press. He and his wife Taryn have four Christian classical school students of their own—Aubrey, Caedmon, Naomi, and Eleanor.
Did You Know?
The Classical Difference magazine and The Classical Difference blog are available to read online! You can also subscribe to the magazine to have issues delivered straight to your home. We encourage families to stay “in the know” about what’s happening in classical Christian education today.
Read the PCS blog for more on classical Christian education at Providence Classical School.
