Cleveland - Writing & Critical Thinking

The Writing & Critical Thinking Program is an innovative and rigorous course of study designed to enhance verbal, written, and critical reasoning skills. Directed, designed, and implemented by the VP of Academic Affairs, Cleveland’s unique curriculum systematically targets argument deconstruction and delivery, stylistic and grammatical fluency, semantic accuracy, thesis research and development, and academic paper preparation. Students are required to complete online examinations licensed through the Foundation for Critical Thinking, submit weekly written assignments, develop papers for national essay competitions, engage in debates on current affairs, critique audio-visual materials, and develop oral presentation skills. Our small instructor-to-student ratio affords prompt, thorough, and customized feedback from a close-knit team of instructors committed to academic excellence. Upon the completion of the program each fall, students receive ongoing written guidance from the Minds Matter Writing Council whose expert writing consultants ensure students employ the skills they have learned to produce highly competitive essays for summer program applications.
 
Students have enjoyed much success and documented score improvement. For instance, one of our students won a coveted Gold Key Award from the Alliance for Young Writers and Artists ranking in the top 1,300 out of 140,000 applicants nationwide for his essay.