Creative Writing Hermeneutic

Course Description
Creative Writing is designed for advanced students who wish to experiment in self-expression through
writing Emphasis is placed on imitating models, pre-writing techniques, developing style and structure, and
collaborative peer editing.

I sincerely hope you are able to grow in skill and confidence as a writer. Because writing is a complicated process,
often graded subjectively, I will do my best to take into account the impetuses behind your expression and grade
with a clear mind. Essentially, I will listen to the music you create with your words.

Classwork & Homework (25% of total grade)

This category might include all work begun and/or completed in class, warm-ups, class discussions, group activities,
Socratic Seminar sessions, student journals, participation and other assigned tasks. Class notes also serve as
Classwork assignment – students are expected to take notes in Cornell format. In order to encourage this
method’s widespread use, extra credit will be awarded to students who use this method in other classes as well.

Assessments (35% of total grade)

This category is includes each successive draft of the final essay, with changes made from earlier consultations as
well as the new skill applications.
.
Final Project or Exam (40% of total grade)
This category deals with the final comprehensive project or exam, including any performance, written, or other
project-specific tasks throughout the class, such as benchmark assessments.

Methods of Instruction
Workshops: Workshops will happen with most of the stories we write in class so that students get an idea of how
their story is going and has a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their work.
Lecture: The class will consist of some lecture in the beginning, but this will lessen throughout the year.
Class discussions: We will have discussions during which students are expected to contribute feelings and
knowledge on the story, whether a published or work from a member of the class.
Group work: During class we will work in groups from time to time.
Writing: A majority of your grades will be based on writing.
Readings: The students will be analyzing all genres of writing in this class and will be expected to read and
understand the works. Discussions will include how the author could have improved it, the characters, the
believability of the story, and other similar topics.

Course Guidelines
Organization: Organization is vitally important. It will help you document your growth as a writer throughout the
course. Have loose leaf paper readily available so that you can take notes and write journal entries. Journal
entries will be periodically collected and graded as a quiz. Anything you do in the course should be readily
retrievable. Come to class prepared each day: binder, a writing utensil and whatever materials you need to bring.

Late Work and Absences: Students are responsible for all missed work, even with legitimate, excused absence.
Computer problems are not considered a legitimate excuse for late work..
 INTEGRITY: You are expected to have it. Unless an assignment is designated as a collaborative one, you are
required to work on it individually. Using any type of shortcut is a dead end and much more likely to get you in
trouble than help you. You chose this class to write, produce and express your own thoughts and feelings. If you
use others’ expressions as your own writing, it is considered cheating. Remember, if you can find it on the
internet, so can I.

In-Class Behavior Expectations

All members of the school community are expected to be respectful of each other. Negative comments about
anyone’s race, nationality, religion, physical appearance or ability, intellectual capacity, gender identity, sexual
orientation, work ethic, or character are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Students are encouraged to
discuss any concerns with me or a preferred school official.

Creative Writing Scope and Sequence

* Characteristics of Good Writing
Section One
*Character Arc and Development
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.A Engage and orient the reader by setting
out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple
point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a
smooth progression of experiences or events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.9.A Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literature
(e.g., "Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of
events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious
works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered
new").
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.E Provide a conclusion that follows from and
reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of
the narrative.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.B Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue,

pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop
* Figurative Language experiences, events, and/or characters.
*Imagery CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.C Use a variety of techniques to sequence
Section Two
*Sensory Details events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole.
* Point of View CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.D Use precise words and phrases, telling
details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences,
events, setting, and/or characters.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.A Engage and orient the reader by setting
out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple
point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a
smooth progression of experiences or events.
*The Short Story CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.A Engage and orient the reader by setting
*Theme
Section Three out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple
*Setting
*Plot point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a
smooth progression of experiences or events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.B Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue,
pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop
experiences, events, and/or characters.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.A Engage and orient the reader by setting
out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple
point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a
smooth progression of experiences or events.
*Using Structure to Reflect Theme
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.B Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue,
Section Four *Descriptive Writing
*Symbolism pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop
experiences, events, and/or characters.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.C Use a variety of techniques to sequence
events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.D Use precise words and phrases, telling
 details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences,
events, setting, and/or characters.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing
on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.9.A Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literature
(e.g., "Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of
events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious
* Mythology and Epic Storytelling
works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered
Section Five *Fables
*Fairy tales new").
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing
on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.9.A Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literature
(e.g., "Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of
events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious
*Comedy and Tragedy works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered
Section Six
*Social Commentary Through Fiction new").
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing
on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.