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Creative Writing 2015-2016

Ms. Cates

Preferred contact: Katherine.cates@cms.k12.nc.us

Website:

Available hours: I am available after school on Tuesdays from 2:30-3:30 by appointment

Course Overview:

Creative Writing is a composition course that will introduce students to processes and techniques aimed at developing the creative process. Students will experiment with expressive and poetic modes of writing, including the writing of fiction and poetry. Class readings will expose students to different writing styles and provide examples of the strategies used by successful authors. Students will concentrate on developing proficiency with new strategies for prewriting, drafting, revising and peer editing. Our objective is to dig within ourselves and work to improve our own writing. This is not a course where we want to quickly churn something out and say, “Here—it’s finished.” Some assignments will be more structured than others. They will include poetry, narratives, fiction, and other smaller assignments. Students will be asked to submit work to the literary magazine and enter a variety of contests. Students will also work on portfolios each semester.

Course Activities and Objectives

The Creative Writing curriculum is aligned with the Common Core standards, many of which will be emphasized throughout the entire course. These ongoing objectives include:

Text Analysis

• Read and analyze the work of published authors and support responses with evidence from the text.

• Analyze how an author’s ideas or claims are developed and refined by his organizational and rhetorical choices.

• Analyze how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness or beauty of the text.

Writing

• Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to task, purpose and audience.

• Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a variety of specific tasks, purposes and audiences.

• Use the writing process to generate ideas, draft, revise, edit, publish and present texts.

• Utilize different prewriting strategies to explore ideas for developing creative texts.

• Create multiple drafts while moving through the writing process.

• Utilize appropriate peer-revision strategies to offer criticism and constructive feedback.

• Utilize feedback and criticism to improve texts.

• Establish, develop and maintain a writing portfolio for publication, reflection and self-evaluation

• Use technology to produce, publish and update individual or shared writing products, using technology to display information flexibly and dynamically.

Speaking & Listening

• Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on a variety of topics, texts and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing ideas clearly and persuasively.

Language

• Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.

• Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and capitalization rules.

• Demonstrate an understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

Materials:

• Required: Composition notebook for reading responses and reflections (Have this by Thursday, August 27)

• Recommended: Binder or folder to keep drafts, writing utensils, handouts, directions

Prospective Assignments:

Unit 1- Power of Observation

Freewriting prompts

Art, word, and music connotation

Quote narrative

Peterman Catalogue (major assignment)

Unit 2- Traditional Poetry

Famous poets and poems

Exemplary writing styles

Poetic vocabulary

Poetic exercises

Midterm: Poet study group project

Unit 3- Alternative Poetry

Bio Poems

Magnetic Poetry

Blackout Poetry

Slam Poetry

Found Poetry

Freeform

Shrink-lit

Remix-Mash-Up

Alternative poetry portfolio (major)

Unit 4- Short Stories

Short story starts (major and minor)

Characterization activities

Dialogue activities

Study of professional examples

Creative nonfiction narrative (major)

Unit 5- Scriptwriting

T.V. show analysis

Professional script examples

Character sheet review

Spec script structure

Final script (major)

Final Exam: Writing Portfolio (online or print)

Grading:

• Major Assignments 70%

Assignments will be graded on a traditional 100pt. scale.

• Minor Assignments 30%

This grade will include participation in whole class and group discussions, as well as student initiative, effort and focus in working through the writing process during class as well as overall preparedness.

• Final copies of writing assignments must be typed (unless specifically stated). Handwritten selections are not accepted, and assignments turned in late will suffer deductions in accordance with the late-work policy.

Late Work/Make-up Work:

Each student is responsible for completing all work missed during any absence from class according to the MPHS Homework policy. Late work is subject to a reduction in the overall grade according to the MPHS late work policy. If absent, it is the student’s responsibility to check the homework calendar on the website before returning to class.

*Note: A field trip/school initiated absence or ISS does NOT justify late work. If a student is going to miss class, he/she should make arrangements with me prior to the absence to make up work that will be missed, and to turn in assignments that will be due on that day. ISS assignments are still due the day of, and students should make up any in-class work missed.

Additional Classroom Expectations:

ALL MPHS rules and procedures are in effect, including those regarding food, drink, tardies, attendance, and electronic devices. Other reminders include:

• Students are to be prepared for class and engaged in on-task behavior throughout the period. This includes being seated and working at the tardy bell, and not packing up before dismissal. A deviation in this standard will result in a loss of class participation points.

• Respect others. Raise your hand to be recognized during full class discussion.

• Cheating will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic zero, along with a referral to the administration.

• Please be on time. Sadly, if you are late without an acceptable pass, you will be sent to lockout, and an absence will be recorded.

*Please sign and return the following page by the next class period.

Student Name (print):

____________________________________________________________________

My signature below certifies that I have read the guidelines and expectations outlined in this document.

Student: __________________________________________________ Date:______________

Parent: __________________________________________________ Date:______________

Parent email address: _______________________________________________________________

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