Creative Writing course syllabus

Syllabus

Creative Writing

Hour: 8:30 AM-12:05 PM
Teacher Name: Ms. Amber Fontenot
Room Number: 332
E-mail Address: amber.fontenot@ocsi.org
Blog Address: http://ocsi-humanities.blogspot.com
School Phone Number: 958-3000
The best time for parents to call me is: from 1:10-4:00 PM

Number of Credits: ½ credit

Course Description: This course is primarily aimed towards honing the skill of writing in a variety of genres: poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction. Students will gain background information about genres, forms of writing, style, and technique, then apply this knowledge by drafting, revising, and collecting samples of their work into portfolio form.

Class Activities: The majority of class time will be spent writing: freewriting, responding to writing prompts, drafting, participating in peer review, and revising. Other activities will include study of genre and authors, reading and discussing writing samples, and hearing and reciting works aloud.

Course Objectives:
• Students will recognize the role of God’s truth both in reading and writing; students will participate in the process of re-presenting old truths in new and fresh ways.
• Students will draw on personal experiences to write nonfiction essays and sketches about themselves and their surroundings.
• Students will write both realistic and imaginative fiction in the form of short stories.
• Students will write poetry in a variety of forms, traditional and non-traditional, with and without meter and rhyme. Forms may include blank verse, ballad form, sonnets, haiku and tanka, and free verse.
• Students will understand the revision process as an opportunity to make large-scale changes; students will participate in peer review to give and receive feedback.
• Students will gain a basic understanding of the origin and conventions of forms such as the personal essay, short story, and various forms of poetry.
• Students will recognize and use meter and rhyme schemes. Students will utilize concepts such as stress, enjambment, and line break when composing poetry.
• Students will enhance their writing through literary devices such as personification, imagery, figurative language, and sonic devices.
• Students will gain an appreciation for the oral aspects of poetry by hearing poetry read aloud and by reciting poetry.




Materials you should bring to class every day:
- A notebook (B5) for in-class writing exercises
- Loose-leaf paper OR a second notebook for drafting
- A folder for handouts; a folder for your final portfolio
- Pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters

Grading:
Writing assignments 60%
Creative nonfiction, short stories, and poetry.
Quizzes 20%
Quizzes will be given with a frequency of about once per week. There is one required poetry recitation, which will count as a quiz grade.
Portfolio 10%
A portfolio containing pieces selected from your work during the course, revisions, and a reflection assignment.
Class participation and notebook 10%
Participation includes on-task work during individual and group work time, peer reviews, and demonstrating engagement in class activities by asking and answering questions, commenting during class discussions, etc. The notebook grade will include all freewrites, writing prompts, any other in-class writing assignments, and some homework assignments.

Expectations:
- Come to class with a positive attitude and be ready to learn and to write.
- Be in your seat and working when the bell rings; begin bellwork immediately at the beginning of class.
- Assignments are expected to be turned in on time; 10% or one letter grade will be deducted per day from writing assignments handed in late, at the teacher’s discretion.
- Maximize your use of class time by taking notes, participating in discussions, participating in peer review exercises, and by writing.
- Writing assignments must be submitted typed and in hardcopy. On some occasions, you will be asked to print multiple copies (up to 4-5) for the purpose of peer review.

Class Rules:
- Respect: Respect each other, your teacher, and all school rules.
- Expectations: Come with an open mind and a positive attitude; be ready to explore, create, and ask questions.
- Materials: Come to class prepared—you should have all necessary materials and assignments when the bell rings.

Class Schedule:

Week 1: creative nonfiction
Week 2: short story
Week 3: poetry
Week 4: poetry, revision, final portfolio