Writing Fiction
**Please note that our curricula are under constant review and may be adjusted to suit the needs of our students. These changes may take place more quickly than can be reflected on this site at a given moment in time. We will update periodically.
Writing Fiction, Grades 11-12:
Writing Fiction, Grades 11-12:
Writing Fiction is a fiction writing workshop for upperclassmen in which students will develop a substantial portfolio of original work in the genre of fiction. There will be weekly word count benchmarks to be met in pursuit of this goal. Students will collaborate both online and in person, perform pieces in small groups and in front of the class, publish a substantial amount of work in an on-line portfolio and, hopefully, the school's literary magazine. The culminating activity (final exam) for the course is a "Book Release Event" in which our newly published authors will perform a selection of their work in front of the class and discuss their writing process and style. The goal is to introduce them--and include them--in the community of writers that is thriving in the real world. To that end, most of the authors we will read in class are currently publishing authors, many of whom live in the surrounding communities or the region. Whether they are first-time or experienced writers, students will be encouraged to go beyond what they ever thought they could accomplish. By the end of the term, they will have surprised others---and themselves.
Writing Fiction is a fiction writing workshop for upperclassmen in which students will develop a substantial portfolio of original work in the genre of fiction. There will be weekly word count benchmarks to be met in pursuit of this goal. Students will collaborate both online and in person, perform pieces in small groups and in front of the class, publish a substantial amount of work in an on-line portfolio and, hopefully, the school's literary magazine. The culminating activity (final exam) for the course is a "Book Release Event" in which our newly published authors will perform a selection of their work in front of the class and discuss their writing process and style. The goal is to introduce them--and include them--in the community of writers that is thriving in the real world. To that end, most of the authors we will read in class are currently publishing authors, many of whom live in the surrounding communities or the region. Whether they are first-time or experienced writers, students will be encouraged to go beyond what they ever thought they could accomplish. By the end of the term, they will have surprised others---and themselves.
Enduring Understandings:
Enduring Understandings:
Students are a part of the community of writers that is thriving in the real world.
Students are a part of the community of writers that is thriving in the real world.
Creative expression is something everyone is capable of accomplishing given the right circumstances.
Creative expression is something everyone is capable of accomplishing given the right circumstances.
Writing is a way to understand ourselves and the world.
Writing is a way to understand ourselves and the world.
We are all capable of way more than we thought just yesterday.
We are all capable of way more than we thought just yesterday.
Week One: Perspective
Week One: Perspective
Week Two: Structure
Week Two: Structure
Week Three: Characterization
Week Three: Characterization
Week Four: Tone
Week Four: Tone
Week Five: Setting
Week Five: Setting
Week Six: Mechanics
Week Six: Mechanics
Week Seven: Narratology
Week Seven: Narratology
Week Eight: Revision
Week Eight: Revision
Weeks Nine and Ten: Portfolio
Weeks Nine and Ten: Portfolio
*note: the order of these units is fluid
*note: the order of these units is fluid
Grading:
Grading:
Portfolio Assessment
Portfolio Assessment