Welcome to Creative Writing
Creative Writing is, of course, a writing class. In this class you will explore how the written word can be used to effectively communicate your written “voice”. By using and practicing the steps of the writing process, and your own ideas and opinions, you will create a collection of writing.
Success in this class will be had by following the guidelines listed below
- Write every day. In order to become proficient at any activity, you need to practice every day. Therefore, we will write every day. This daily writing will be worth 5 points a day, and may be either in a written journal or a blog format. Each day when the bell rings, you should be in your seat and writing on the topic on the board or one of your own choosing. We will spend anywhere from five to fifteen minutes writing on a journal topic each day. You should add to these entries on your own time, especially if your in class writing was minimal. You need to date each entry and write the topic from the board before you begin writing. If you miss class, you need to find out what we wrote about and get it done. I will collect these writings every week to grade. These entries will be very valuable, Not only do they give you a chance to begin getting your voice on paper, but they often provide you with topics for other assignments.
Write according to a process. While every person approaches writing in a different way, the basic process is the same. Early in the semester we will go through the basic steps of the writing process and you will be expected to follow this process in the production of your final products.
MECHANICS. As with anything the mechanics of the process make an impact on your product. Therefore, we will spend time each week working on some editing skills. You will have practice assignments on this material.
Write in a variety of forms. Good writers are knowledgeable of many types of writing. Therefore, you will try your hand at a wide variety of creative writing formats. Through the course of the semester you will develop a portfolio of your work including, but not limited to, the following pieces: a short story, several forms of poetry, a piece of descriptive writing and a character sketch. The portfolio requirements also allow for you to include some writings of your own choosing.
Write and rewrite and rewrite and rewrite. James Michener said, “I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.” No good writer publishes a first draft. Even Dr. Seuss was known to revise his writing. Therefore, you will be required to go through several drafts of many pieces for your final portfolio. We will do in class editing for both content and mechanics. Also, I will conference with each of you and give you guidance for revision of your pieces. Both the process and the product you create for your final portfolio will be considered in its final grading.
Click here for grading info.