“On plenty of days the writer can write three or four pages, and on plenty of other days he concludes he must throw them away.” ~ Annie Dillard
Course Description: Creative Writing is designed for students who wish to experiment in self-expression through writing. Students are encouraged to explore and develop their own ideas, and different ways of conveying meaning through writing. Writing emphasis is placed on imitating models, pre-writing techniques, examining various publishing venues and exploring different forms. Students study advanced writers and will write daily, keep a journal, and participate in readings of works. The course will include writing and reading intensively, focusing on difficult works, analyzing and discussing them, and then learning to work the many literary techniques studied into their own unique style.
Items for Evaluation: ~ Conferencing ~ Meeting deadlines ~ Constructive criticisms ~ Peer editing/evaluation ~ Daily work/homework/class participation ~ Performance/effort ~ Focused concentration areas/goals for achievement ~ Portfolio w/all work in file in class ~ Following the steps in the writing process ~ Projects ~ Handing in all assignments on time ~Rubrics ~ Improvement ~ Self-evaluations
Expected Levels of Achievement: · Attend and participate regularly in class · Complete assignments on time and satisfactorily · Read/discuss both your work and the work of your classmates
Methods of Instruction: This will depend a great deal upon the student effort, overall class ability, and individual needs. Do your best always - this will allow me to enhance your skills and modify instruction accordingly to provide the best instruction for each of you. This year we will also utilize concepts from the Masterclasses of Margaret Atwood and Joyce Carol Oates.
Workshops: Workshops will happen with most of the stories we write in class so that students get an idea of how their story is going and have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their own work.
Lecture: The class will consist of some lecture in the beginning, but this will lessen throughout the semester. This is a VERY student-led class, so be prepared at all times to work independently researching, writing, or editing your piece or assist with a peers' writing. This means your Chromebook needs to be charged - OR you have your own charger available, you understand the requirements for the piece you are working on, have a list of questions prepared for class, or have your work saved somewhere you can easily access it.
Class discussions: During class discussions, students are expected to contribute feelings and knowledge on the story selected, whether published or a work from a classmate. Yes, there will be peer editing.
Group work: Group work will be expected from time to time.
Writing: A majority of your grade will be based on individual, original writing.
Readings: The students will be analyzing various genres of writing in class and will be expected to read and comprehend the selections. Discussions will include specific concepts and elements the author could have developed more thoroughly, whether the character(s), the believability of the plot, or other similar topics.
Units of Study: Short Fiction, Children’s Book, Poetry or Song Lyrics, Creative Nonfiction, and Memoirs
** These units of study are merely suggestions. Because this is an elective course, you have a say in where we go and what we do. It is my responsibility to develop and direct the creative process, but it is yours to have a vested interest in how you’re learning and what you’re writing. This being an elective course does not negate the rigor with which I will instruct, nor should it be a “gauge” for your effort. This class will require you to work, but I hope it will be enjoyable in the short term and meaningful for the duration. **
General Course Guidelines: 1.) Organization: Organization is vitally important. It will help you document your growth as a writer throughout the course. Have loose leaf paper readily available so that you can take notes and write journal entries when needed. Journal entries will be periodically collected and graded. Anything you do in the course should be readily retrievable. Come to class prepared each day: composition notebook, loose leaf paper, a thin three ring binder, a writing utensil, and whatever additional materials you need to bring to ensure your success.
2.) Late Work and Absences: Students are responsible for all missed work, even with a legitimate, excused absence. Computer problems are not a legitimate excuse for late work or tardiness to class. Students receive no credit for in-class work missed to invalid absence(s). In accordance with OA-BCIG’s attendance policy, there will be a one-day grace period for a one-day absence; two days for a two-day absence. Arrangements can be made for long-term absences.
3.) INTEGRITY: Notice it is not posed as a question. You are expected to have it. Unless an assignment is designated as a collaborative one, you are required to work on each individually. Using any type of shortcut is a dead end and much more likely to get you in trouble than help you. You chose this class to write, produce and express your own thoughts and feelings. If you use others’ expressions as your own writing, it is considered cheating. Remember, if you can find it on the internet, so can I. Plagiarism (see student handbook) will be dealt with severely.
4.) Keys to success: The primary goal of this course is to deepen your skills in written expression. Honing these skills will broaden your abilities as an editor and academic writer as well. Keep up with assignments and plan ahead. Writer’s block can sometimes rear its ugly head at inopportune times, especially in the middle of the creative process. If you do have a writer’s block, please refer to the writing prompts given on the weebly website or within the classroom – if in doubt, please ask - I am here to help! Communicate with me after school or via email about problems and concerns. Actively think about and react to your and your classmates’ writing each day in class and make correlations to the reading assignments. Consciously work on your writing skills by learning from your mistakes and successes. 5.) In-class behavior expectations: All members of the school community are expected to be respectful of each other. Negative comments about anyone’s race, nationality, religion, physical appearance or ability, intellectual capacity, gender identity, sexual orientation, work ethic, or character are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Students are encouraged to discuss any concerns with me or a preferred school official. In short, follow the Golden Rule.
“To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the words make.” ~ Truman Capote
I sincerely hope you are able to grow in skill and confidence as a writer. Because writing is a complicated process, often graded subjectively, I will do my best to take into account the impetuses behind your expression and grade with a clear mind. Essentially, I will listen to the music you create with your words.