Creative Writing - Semester Overview:

      The Creative Writing elective provides students with an outlet for their thoughts and ideas through the various forms of written expression. We will explore a variety of writing styles including poetry, short fiction, screenwriting, and creative non-fiction over the course of the semester. Each student will experiment with these styles in order to find and develop their personal voice and expand on the tools that they have available for self expression and story-telling. The students’ writing will be shared in class in a workshop atmosphere where they will have a chance to get feedback on their work from both peers and the instructor. The writing process, methodology and terminology will be addressed on a regular basis in class along with relevant examples from a variety of established authors, poets and screenwriters.

      After a brief survey of each writing style, the students will have the opportunity for an independent study where they will write, revise, and finish a work of their own. These independent studies will take the form of poetry chapbooks, full-length short stories, graphic novel excerpts, and one-act plays.  A final published portfolio will be used to organize the writing and culminate the progress of each student at the end of the semester.

First Nine Weeks:

~ The writing and revision process

~ Workshop and critique

~ Poetry

     ~ literary devices

     ~ structure

     ~ writing strategies

     ~ independent study

~ Creative non-fiction

     ~ literary devices

     ~ structure

     ~ writing strategies

     ~ independent study

~ Publishing opportunities

Second Nine Weeks:

~ Fiction

     ~ character development

     ~ dialogue and narration

     ~ point of view

     ~ descriptive writing

     ~ action sequences

     ~ independent study

~ Screenplays

     ~ screenplay format

     ~ framing and film cues

     ~ film critique

     ~ independent study

Please see the assignments page for more information on what we are currently covering in class and any work/resources that are available.