Words Matter: How Words Shape Thought, Influence Society, and Frame Reality

Course Description:
Words Matter is a high school seminar series for students who want to think more deeply about the language shaping public life. Each session explores a small set of culturally powerful terms—like rights, democracy, fairness, and empathy—and examines how these words influence politics, law, media, and worldview.

Through weekly Socratic discussion and close reading, students will strengthen their logical reasoning skills, explore how language is used and misused in public discourse, and gain the tools to speak clearly and listen thoughtfully in complex conversations.

Fall 2025 Structure: Three Mini-Units

  • The fall session of Words Matter is 12 weeks long and divided into three thematic units, each focused on four foundational words. Students can register for one unit at a time or reserve their seat for the full term in advance.

    Unit 1: Rights, Democracy, Fairness, Empathy
     Weeks 1–4

    Unit 2: Facts, Truth, Propaganda, Misinformation,
    Weeks 5–8

    Unit 3: Values, Ethics, Morality, Justice
     Weeks 9–12

    Each unit builds on the last but can also be taken independently.

What Your Student Will Learn in Unit 1

  • The difference between democracy and a republic

  • How words like fair and rights are misused in appeals to emotion

  • The difference between empathy and compassion, and the importance of emotional boundaries

  • How to analyze political language and media messaging with logical reasoning

  • How to express ideas with clarity and confidence in civil discussions

“After reading Orwell’s essay on how English is misused, I cannot read anything ever again without thinking, Is this good writing? Does it get its point across well?
”
— Delphinia G, Summer 2025

Why This Course Matters:
Words are powerful tools — for good or for harm.
In Words Matter, students gain the awareness, discipline, and courage to use language wisely, to recognize manipulation, and to defend truth with clarity and conviction — essential skills for scholars, citizens, and leaders alike.

Session Details and Tuition

  • For: High school students (Grades 9–12)

  • Format: One 60-minute live Zoom class per week

  • Length: 12 weeks total, divided into three 4-week units

  • Class Size: Maximum of 8 students per section

  • Tuition: $45 per week, billed weekly through TutorBird

  • Minimum commitment: 4 weeks (one unit)

Students may register for one unit at a time or simply continue participating from unit to unit. Those registering one unit at a time should be aware that space in future units is not guaranteed unless re-registered before the next unit fills.

Units will cycle back around in the spring, starting with Unit 1.