Creative Writing 521

1. Creative Writing 521 Winter/Spring 2013

2. Course Outline • Ms. McKenna hbmckenna@edu.pe.ca • Course Description • Students will be expected to: • develop their abilities to write creatively and expressively • demonstrate the behaviours of effective writers • write fluently, confidently, and creatively for a variety of purposes and audiences • understand writing as a constructive, meaningful process • demonstrate the attributes of creative writing in the four major genres. • read and analyze text and demonstrate behaviours of effective reading, • demonstrate behaviours of effective speakers and listeners Your marks are based on Course Outcomes

3. What to Expect: Course work • In class writing assignments and quizzes on conventions, writing technique, grammar and mechanics, and reading/reader response • Journal writing/free writing • Small and large writing assignments • Portfolio • ***Sometimes assignments require whole class or small group presentations. Speaking and Listening are components of this course. You will be asked to share your work, sometimes with the whole group.

4. Materials • A writing 521 binder for notes and hand-outs • A writer’s notebook (ONLY used for journals, brainstorming and pre-writing) • Pens, pencils and anything else you need for writing. • Suggested materials also include: flashdrive, markers/pencil crayons/art supplies)

5. Grading • Disclaimer!!! I will only be here until March. The Curriculum followed will not change; however, adjustments may be made to the weight of particular units as well as to the course structure as a day-to-day process. • Basic grading structure • 1 not meeting standard 2 approaching standard 3 meeting standard 4 surpassing standard

6. Our Day-To-Day • Journaling and free-writing 2-3 times a week. Free writing is your own selected topics, while Journals will be more specific to a technique or topic we are currently exploring • Direct instruction. There will be times that I need to explain new information. These instruction times will include various writing techniques, conventions, devices, and literary history. • Silent/independent reading • Peer and teacher conferencing • Writing (exercises and assignments) • Portfolio organization

7. Creative Writing VS. EnglishHow do they compare? • In creative writing we will explore what exactly it takes to be an effective writer. • To do this we will have to read, discuss, argue, listen, write, edit…edit…edit…revise…publish and reflect. • The emphasis really is on you and your writing. Your marks do NOT only consist of your final product, but rest heavily on the process involved in getting you there.

8. That being said… • There is a difference between ‘good’ writing and ‘bad’ writing. • Unlike English particular grammar and mechanics may not be explicitly taught; however, you are still held to a 521 standard of grammatical writing (ie, basic editing, spelling, paragraphing ect) Lessons on conventions will develop from common errors made among the class.

9. Objectivity– Widely Accepted Criteria for ‘Good’ Writing • Ideas that are interesting/important/original • Structure that is logical and effective • Voice that is individual/appropriate • Language that is specific, fluent and expressive • Conventions that are correct and communicative ***For every convention there is someone breaking them on purpose to affect their style, tone, message ect. Rule for writing 521 you can break a convention if you understand it, and know why you are breaking it!

10. Subjectivity – Personal Preference • Genre – elements that make up a predetermined formula • Subject – what the book is about (intrigue, character...) • Style – how the book is written (language, narration...) • Era – when the book was written & the perception of the times • Social influences – recommendation, prizes, movies...

11. Point Being…. • Simply writing does not necessarily mean it will be perceived well by peers or other readers. You MUST accept the fact that sometimes it is their personal preference and that’s okay, but many times it does need to be revised. Sometimes it’s simply not very good! This happens to ALL writers. • We need to be open to constructive criticismand work with others to really help our own writing.

12. Comments, Questions, Concerns?