Creative Writing: This course will explore creativity in writing and build confidence in the fundamentals of fictional writing. The genres that will be explored include script writing, story-telling with dialogue, and poetry. Students will learn how to organize ideas, format for various literary styles, and edit for publication.
The course focuses on the importance of having fun with writing. Exploration of the cornerstones of creative writing—observation, imagination, and language.
Main Projects for Quarter Two:
Project #1------Narrative Story
Topic Options:
scary story--- Tell a story that could scare your classmates using a strange ending, a character finding a strange object, using noises and description of the wilderness to make the imagination wonder, a tombstone has gone missing, a person is missing, a camping trip, mysterious packages, pirates and a treasure map, etc.
fantasy story--- portal to another world, talking animals, magical objects, character looking out a train window, Aztec object gives a character powers, scavenger hunt to visit the Greek ruins, utopia / dystopian society, time travel, teleportation device, etc.
historical fiction---- ghost towns, significant object from the USA, retell a familiar story with a twist such as Washington chopping down a cherry tree, Lincoln living in a log cabin, T. Roosevelt and the western states, the development of the telephone, the development of the camera, original ideas for the automobile, etc.
Project #2----- Narrative: Three Scenarios (Choices)
Maya Angelou said “I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way s/he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”
Tell a story in which a character has to deal with one, two, or all three of these scenarios. How does your character respond?
Project #3------ Script
Script: The final product needs to be several pages in length.
Think 1 page = 40-60 seconds for a cast on stage.
Use your outline and your first pages of written dialogue to polish up your script. Revision is particularly important when writing scripts. As you’re writing, keep in mind those elements of good TV episodes (quick, witty dialogue, excellent voice, lively debates, ending with a lesson OR message) that you’re trying to incorporate.
Questions:
Are the characters agreeing too much? arguing too much? Is it realistic?
Is the script showing enough different points of view? Are there other ideas that could enhance the dialogue?
Do the characters have distinct voices or have they begun to sound the same?
Write a dialogue of at least 20 lines = 60-90 seconds of talking
Dialogue's Role in a Script:
Provide Information
Describe a Place or Character
Create Suspense or Conflict
Move the Story Forward
Reveal a Character’s Thoughts
Project #4---- Newspaper Articles
Current Event---- sports teams, school events, special events (band concert, choir concert, Owl Store, Owl Star Assemblies, class field trips, dances, assemblies, field days, basketball-- girls and boys, flag football, and cheerleading)
Interviews--- teachers with approval
Current books, movies, TV shows with approval----- G and PG rated shows only
Product Reviews---- toys for younger students, electronics, clothing, school supplies