Writer's Block

COURSE OVERVIEW

Students will explore their imagination and creativity by investigating different forms of writing and becoming published authors.

Some of the activities, concepts and ideas you will undertake in this course include exploring the different forms of fiction writing, focusing on: 1. Action - Movements that characters undertake in the story. 2. Character - Used to progress the plot and establish inner or outer conflict. 3. Conflict - Challenges, suspense, and uncertainty about whether the goal will be achieved. 4. Dialogue - A verbal exchange between characters. 5. Pacing - The speed at which a story is told. 6. Plot - The sequence of a story's events. 7. Scene - Dramatic sections in a story within a specific time and place. 8. Setting - Time and location in the narrative. 9. Suspense - The anticipation of an outcome or plot. 10. Theme - Central topic or message of a narrative. 11. Tone - The narrator's attitude toward the subject matter. 12. Voice - The manner of expression.

Students will also have time to develop their own personal writing, attend Writers’ Workshops with visiting authors and use different stimuli to get them started on their writing projects. They will submit pieces to a range of HK writing competitions for publication, submit pieces to the Imaginings magazine for publication, create a professional portfolio of their writing and write a story aimed at a specific audience that will be published on the English website.

COURSE OUTCOME

By the end of this course, students will produce a professional, multi-genre writing portfolio that demonstrates mastery of key narrative elements (action, character, conflict, dialogue, pacing, plot, scene, setting, suspense, theme, tone, and voice)

REAL WORLD APPLICATION:

This course is designed to bridge the gap between classroom creativity and professional writing practices. Students engage in project-based learning that directly prepares them for real-world writing careers, academic pursuits, and creative industries.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

None

Course Competencies

Creativity

Students will experiment with writing across a variety of genres, examining the stylistic elements associated with each text type and emulating these styles in a creative context.

Communication

Students explore the competency of Communication by mastering written narrative craft (voice, tone, dialogue, and pacing), tailoring their work for real audiences (competition judges, magazine readers, and website visitors), practicing oral feedback and presentation skills during peer critiques,, writing reflective author's statements, and adapting stories for Hong Kong's multicultural readership—ultimately communicating not as students but as emerging published authors

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1: Finding Your Voice

Free-writing from sensory prompts; creating a "Voice Journal" with 3 distinct narrative tones

Week 2: Character & Conflict

Designing a character profile (wants, flaws, stakes) and writing a "character vs. obstacle" scene

Week 3: Setting & Scene

Describing the same location (e.g., a Hong Kong rooftop) at two different times of day to show mood shifts

Week 4: Plot & Pacing

Mapping a 5-scene story arc on a "pacing graph"; rewriting a slow scene to build tension

Week 5: Dialogue That Works

Writing a conversation where characters avoid saying what they really mean (subtext practice)

Week 6: Action & Suspense

Crafting a 250-word chase scene using short sentences, then revising with varied pacing

Week 7: Theme & Tone

Rewriting a fairy tale in two different tones (e.g., hopeful vs. ominous) to reveal the theme

Week 8: Writers' Workshop (Visiting Author)

Receiving live feedback on a draft-in-progress, participating in a Q&A about publication

Week 9: Revision & Peer Critique

Using a structured feedback form, performing "surgical edits" on a partner's scene

Week 10: Submissions Prep

Formatting a piece for Imaginings magazine and a Hong Kong writing competition

Week 11: Audience-Focused Story

Drafting a 500-word story for a specific audience (e.g., children, teens, or adults)

Week 12: Portfolio Curation

Selecting 3-5 best pieces; writing an author's statement reflecting on growth

Week 13: Digital Publishing

Formatting the final story for the English website, designing a simple cover image

Week 14: Final Assessment Prep

Peer-reviewing portfolios using the "What? So What? Now What?" model

Week 15: The Writers' Expo

Showcasing portfolios, published stories, and competition submissions to peers and families

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