Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

How does a classical approach to writing benefit your child? Today on Home School Heartbeat, Mike Farris talks with Lene Jaqua about the answer to that question.

Michael Farris:
Lene, when we talk about classical education we usually think of "great books" programs, logic, rhetoric, and Latin. Describe the classical approach to writing.

Lene Jaqua:
We analyze how that theory's used in the best pieces of writing we can find. For instance, how are the words used, how are their sentences constructed, what arguments do they use? And then we imitate that writing. For example, we'll rewrite a famous poem in prose, or maybe we'll write a speech on a different subject, using the structure of the Gettysburg Address. Finally, we practice writing—lots of writing—all the time.

Mike:
What does a classical writing program provide that other methods don't?

Lene:
A classical education is based in ancient tradition, and it asks the questions of "What is truth, what is beauty, and what is goodness?" To us Christians, that is a pursuit of God, because He embodies those attributes. At the beginning of the modern age, they sought to emphasize the individual, and at that point, classical education was gradually lost. Writing became more about me and how I feel about myself. But in contrast, the classical approach to writing would have its goal to ask the big questions of life in pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness.

Mike:
Lene, thank you so much! Listeners, we're to continue our discussion about classical writing tomorrow. Please plan to join us. I'm Mike Farris.