ENGLISH CLASS

Creative Writing

 

To quote Nathaniel Hawthorne, “Easy reading is darn hard writing.” The Creative Writing Course is designed to give students an introduction to the creative writing process through the production of poems, drama, and fiction. Various writing exercises to stimulate the imagination and hone writing skills are also part of the course. Students are expected to work hard, but to also have some fun with the creative process.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students must write approximately 50 pages of original prose, poetry, creative essay, screenplays, one-act plays, or even comic strips.  All material must be original or the student will not receive credit for the course.  Students must complete all writing assignments and demonstrate mastery of literary elements through discussion or a course test to receive credit for the course. All material must be typed and double-spaced.

 

Course Materials

• Rubric for Creative Writing

• A 5-minute video about the elements of a narrative (story)

  • ​This video gives you some important vocabulary that I will use in your course. It also describes what a story should include.

 

​Useful Writing Tools

• Comic Creator - A useful brainstorming tool for visual thinkers; Use a comic strip format to map your story.

• Hero's Journey Story Map - This will help you to create a story with mythological elements.

• Literary Elements Map - This is a great one to use in prewriting to insure that your story has all the key elements of quality writing (well developed characters, setting, and plot)

• Plot Diagram - This is a visual way to see your story take place and identify the climax

• Printing Press - Would you like to write creative newspaper or tabloid articles? Go for it!

 

Creative Writing Prompts

• The Whitefish Review submission page - Maybe you'll even be published! 

• The Sun Magazine Readers Write page - Scroll down and choose a topic for some creative non-fiction inspiration.

• Thought-provoking ideas - Use this website with caution because many will generate journal ideas, but you must write complete stories, screen plays, creative essays or poems for course credit.