We’ve moved on to study the Enlightenment with all of the new ideas it brings on man, God, government, religion and philosophy.  One of James’ first lessons was about the literature of the Enlightenment period and the arrival of periodicals, newspapers and the first modern novels. James learned that Writing Circles were very popular in the 18th century.  His writing assignment was the following:

“Writing circles were very popular in the 18th century. Form your own modern day writing circle! First write an advertisement to attract fellow writers. What qualities are you looking for in your writing colleagues? Next, how would the first meeting go? What will be the purpose of your writing group”?

WRITING CIRCLE ADVERTISEMENT: YOUNG TEEN LOOKING FOR INTERESTED WRITERS TO JOIN WRITING CIRCLE. BEST WRITING HAS CENTERED AROUND CURRENT EVENTS. ALL INTERESTED SHOULD BE WELL INFORMED. AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE RESPOND VIA EMAIL.

MEETING: ALL MEMBERS INTRODUCE THEMSELVES, INCLUDING THEIR INTERESTS AND AFFILIATIONS. THEN, WE DISCUSS ON A LIST OF TOPICS. MOST TOPICS WILL BE POLITICAL. ALL PARTIES WILL BE HEARD. EACH PERSON CAN LEAD THEIR OWN TOPIC. WE WILL WRITE INFORMED COLUMNS FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PEOPLE.