Rhetoric

9th - 12th Grade

Our students' worldview education continues in high school with instruction in Christian doctrine, comparative religions, and apologetics. Biblical worldview thinking must not begin and end within the confines of Bible class. Morning Star Academy's classical Christian approach equips students with the necessary knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to apply the truths of God's word to all aspects of their lives.

Rhetoric Stage of the Trivium

Within the classical Christian approach, students in high school (9th through 12th) are entering the third phase of the Trivium, which is the rhetoric stage. We have learned that high school students are interested in expressing ideas. Once students at Morning Star Academy have learned the basic facts and know how to think and reason well, they are then ready to sharpen their communication skills in the rhetoric stage. Through formal training in the art of rhetoric our students learn to speak and write persuasively.

Senior Thesis

The pinnacle of their career at Morning Star Academy is a senior thesis, a year-long project that culminates in a 15 to 20 page paper and a 15 minute presentation and defense before a faculty panel and audience.

2024-2025 senior thesis topics:

  • Carson Bohonek - “A Vaccine Paradox: The Hidden Nature of Vaccine -Induced Illinois”

  • Luke Bosch - "How Movies Influence Society: Ratings, Censorship, and a Christian Response”

  • Javen Dean - “Victimhood: Virtue of Vice?”

  • Josh Brady - "Taekwondo: The Remedy to Society’s Disrespect”

  • Angelique Drew - "Al’s Effect on Artist"

  • Emily McClure - "ADHD: Why Therapeutic Strategies Beat Short Lived Relief"

  • Elsie McClure - "Living With Dignity: An Argument Against Assisted Suicide"

  • Itzel Mariscal-Roque - "The Bible Role in History and Literature"

  • Annabella VonMuenster - "Bigger Isn’t Better: The Underrated Advantages of Small Farms"