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Creative Writing
CREATIVE WRITING
This Creative Writing is an academic elective. Creative Writing is open to juniors and seniors who would like an opportunity to write in a variety of creative forms: short stories, pieces of novels, personal narratives, poetry and/or plays. The class is run as a workshop at which students read their pieces to a supportive audience of other writers. Each student will create a portfolio of writing, submit something for publication (if he or she would like) and participate in creating a literary magazine.
Objectives:
Students use descriptive, narrative, expository, persuasive and poetic modes. Students prepare, publish and/or present work appropriate to audience, purpose and task. Students write using standard language structures and diction appropriate to audience and task. Students use standard English for composing and revising written text.
Essential Questions:
How do written stories mirror reality? What are the challenges of re-writing? What are the limits of written expression?
Grade Level Expectations
Listen to or read a variety of genres to use as models for writing in different modes. Determine purpose, point of view and audience, and choose an appropriate written format. Apply the most effective processes to create and present a written piece. Cooperatively revise texts for organization, elaboration, fluency, coherency, and clarity. Read, listen to, and tell stories from a variety of cultures, and identify the similarities and differences in the way language is used. Use sentence patterns typical of spoken and written language to produce text with a focus on using logical order and transitions. Evaluate the impact of language as related to audience and purpose. Recognize the difference between standard and nonstandard English and use language appropriately. Publish and/or present final products in a myriad of ways, including the use of arts and technology. Demonstrate proficient use of proper mechanics, usage and spelling skills. Develop rich characters. Produce text that “shows” emotion or mental state rather than telling about it. Create effective and believable dialogue appropriate for the character and setting.
Instructional Strategies Evidence of Learning
Oral presentations Teacher modeling Writing mini-lessons Note-taking Process writing Free-writes Graphic organizers Generating topics Guided writing lessons Collaborative writing Shared writing School-wide Rubrics Focused peer editing Peer/teacher conferences Model texts Sharing of student writing Oral presentations Writing workshops Writing drafts Timed writing Various compositions
Grade Level Expectations
Instructional Strategies Evidence of Learning
Develop a cohesive and logical plot progression. Recognize and employ genre conventions.
The following matrix is a breakdown of the scope and amount of typical writing and literary experiences as well as the shared benchmarks that all teachers of similar classes will implement.
Homework Expectations Major Topics Major Assessments
Developing Life-Like Characters Creating Logical and Engaging Plots Understanding the Nature and Importance of Conflict Understanding Audience Needs Creating Dialogue that Supports Plot and Character Workshop Presentations Workshop Critiques Rough Drafts Literary Journal
Three page drafts during each quarter 2-3 workshops each quarter (2-3 pages in length)
