Creative Writing

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS

Respecting Diversity of Background Expanding Interests

Developing Imaginations Discussing Vigorously
Listening Perceptively Experimenting with Language
Reading for Information and for Pleasure Communicating Clearly and Honestly
Preserving the Tradition of Free Thought

Examples Of INSTRUCTION: The following concepts and skills will be emphasized so that students can successfully progress to
Interlocking The the next level of learning.
Curriculum Within
The Organic Stages of Writing Types of Writing Techniques Criticism
Component Prewriting Free writing Economical use of words Learning principles of
Writing Description Authentic voice constructive criticism
Drama:
Evaluating and revisions Poetry Words that put the reader there Practicing self-criticism
Performing student- Proofreading and Fiction Element of surprise Submitting work for
written plays
Performing poetry publishing Essay Strong repetition publication:
scenarios Drama Powerful rhythms School literary/art magazine
Writing a newspaper Humor Strong verbs, nouns, adjectives Writing contests
for a school play Journal Revealing freshness, accuracy, Local, state, and national
program Commercials and invention in language publications
Role-playing in
character study CONNECTIONS: The following activities/assignments are examples of how this subject will connect knowledge within
and across the disciplines.
Music:
Writing music Generating writing Developing descriptive Telling truths Opportunities may
Writing ballads topic vignettes Learning figurative writing include:
Responding to music Studying models Describing colors Understanding methods of Written and oral
Art and Brainstorming Using dreams/daydreams character portrayal evaluation by
Photography: Using resources Portraying character Appealing to the senses teachers and peers
Role-playing Practicing parts of Tightening writing skills Individual student-

Essentials of the Curriculum

Writing Prose and
Poetry responses point of view the short story Experimenting with teacher
to art Thinking and writing Experimenting with free verse rhyme and meter conferences
Drawing and writing
caricatures Composing and and traditional poems: Working with short story Group sharing with
Taking photographs discovering Japanese Haiku elements peers
for play program Developing a Image Recording childrens Hosting Writers-
Sending finished critical eye Lyric remarkable statements in-Residence
products to
periodicals and Giving and Cinquain Filing free writing for later Attending lectures
contests receiving help Portrait revision and conferences
Focusing and Sonnet Experimenting with character-
English/History: building for Ballad centered conflict situations Activities may include:
Writing portrait improvement Writing feature stories Describing a scene for Keeping a journal
poems as
introduction to Reflecting Interviewing a unifying effect Collaborative learning
reports, Reading work aloud Writing one-act plays Writing parodies of authors Keeping a list of
biographies, etc. Performing in class Experimenting with humor: styles and/or works commonly
Writing a book Submitting work for Parody Developing a sense misspelled and
response as
another form of publication Satire of the comic misunderstood
book report Celebrating Tall tale words
Making essays more success Caricature
interesting Reviewing plays, music, etc.
Giving extensive
practice in writing LIBRARY SERVICES: Information resources and support services will be maintained for students and staff in print
fiction, nonfiction,
and poetry and in a variety of digital formats. Wherever possible, both information and access to support
Keeping a journal services will be provided at the user's worksite or workstation using the district's
telecommunications infrastructure.

TECHNOLOGY: Technology offers students new and versatile tools that expand knowledge and foster exploration.

Note: This summary reflects the major areas of content which most students in Henrico County Public Schools learn at this level. 1997-98
 The basic task of education is the care and feeding of the imagination...The growth of the imagination demands windows--
windows through which we can look out at the world and windows through which we can look into ourselves.
(Paterson, Katherine. The Spying Heart. New York: Lodestar Books, E.P. Dutton, 1989.)

QUICK GUIDE TO CREATIVE WRITING: Creative writing is the process of inventing, EDITING SYMBOLS
of molding uniqueness. It requires a writer to think critically, to reshape what is known
into something that is original. The following chart should be used as a guideline for = Capitalize.
writing creatively: l.c. Lowercase a capital.
^a Insert.
The Beginning: Creative writing commences when the writer asks, "What can I create
Change a letter.
out of a certain feeling, image, experience, or memory?" Replace a word.
The Purpose: Creative writing fulfills a writer's compelling desire to imagine, invent, Omit.

( )( )
explore, or share. Writing satisfies the creative soul. It often takes on a life of its own; Omit and close up.
the writer merely follows along. Close up space.
change letter order.
The Form: Any form using a writer's imagination is suitable for creative development tr Transfer.
of some element of fiction. Some of the most common types of creative writing are Begin a paragraph.
poetry, myths, character sketches, short fiction, anecdotes, play scripts, songs, . Add a period.
parodies, reminiscences, historical fiction... ^, Add a comma.
The Audience: A specific audience may not be known in the beginning, and each (^)# Add a space.
^:
situation is different. However, if the finished piece has a universal meaning, the story ^ Add a colon.
will speak to a wide range of readers. ^; Add a semicolon.
The Style: A writer's style comes from a series of choices that results in the sole =^ Add a hyphen.
Add an apostrophe.
ownership of the finished product. The key to attaining a unique style is focused
stet Keep crossed out material.
control. The writer shows rather than tells. As a result, the reader will see, hear, smell,
taste, and feel specific things.

HOW TO BE CREATIVE GATHERING DETAILS

C omb your sources for seeds to plant your story.
R eview your journal for topics and
entries that focus on your experiences.
E stablish a simple plan that contains a
few characters, a basic setting
and one problem that will be resolved.
A ctivate the plan and write your first draft.
T ake time to revise for basic flow of story.
E valuate character development,
conflict, suspense.
Tips for Gathering Images for a Poem or Song Lyrics
To help you write a poem or song lyrics, list images that describe
how your subject looks, sounds, feels, tastes, and smells.
Tips for Using Similes and Metaphors
One way to make your images stand out in your audiences
memory is by creating similes or metaphors. A simile is a
comparison between two unlike things, using the word like or as. A
metaphor also compares two unlike things but does not use the
word like or as.

EDITING AND PROOFREADING CHECKLIST

Sentence Structure Capitalization
Did I write clear and complete sentences? Did I start all my sentences with a capital letter?
Did I write sentences of different lengths? Did I capitalize nouns that name specific people, places, and
Did I begin my sentences in different ways? things?
Punctuation Usage
Does each sentence end with an end Did I use powerful verbs, specific nouns, and colorful modifiers?
punctuation mark? Did I use the correct word?
Did I use commas in a series? Spelling
Did I place commas before connecting words
in compound sentences? Did I check for spelling? Did I use the spell checker on my
Did I punctuate dialogue correctly? computer?