Veni, Legi, Scripsi: On Writing in the Elementary Latin Sequence

Hotly contested debates about the vices and virtues of Latin composition at the elementary level have a long history. In this essay, I describe the ways in which low-, mid-, and high-stakes writing assignments are woven into the elementary Latin sequence as opportunities both to work in the language and to make apparent the inherent links between language and culture. A final composition project offers a particularly integrative model by which both the instructor and the students can review, assess, and reflect upon the semester’s work and learning.