COURSE TITLE: CREATIVE WRITING A - B COURSE NUMBER: 0650 DEPARTMENT: English / Language Arts LENGTH OF COURSE: One or two semesters CREDITS PER SEMESTER: 5 GRADE LEVEL(S): 9-12 REQUIRED OR ELECTIVE: Elective (This course meets the "F" elective requirement for UC/CSU) PREREQUISITES: None BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPTION: February 26, 2002 COURSE DESCRIPTION Creative Writing is a seminar-style course for students interested in writing. Through whole class instruction, small group work, and individual instruction, students will develop their own voices and styles in writing, and gain skill and confidence in utilizing a writing process in a variety of genre. Students will read a variety of literary selections to use as models and stimuli for writing. (This course is aligned with the MDUSD Language Arts Content Standards.) COURSE OUTLINE 1. MAJOR GOALS 1.1 To develop a sense of voice and style (Grade 9 Writing Applications, 2.1, 2.2) 1.2 To contribute to a publication of student work (Grade 9 Writing Strategies, 1.6) 1.3 To develop understanding of a variety of literary styles and genre (Grade 9 Writing Applications, 2.1, 2.2) 1.4 To develop discernment and discrimination in taste (Grade 9 Writing Strategies, 1.6) 1.5 To respect and nourish the imaginative and creative strengths of oneself and others (Grade 9 Speaking Applications, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4; Grade 12 Speaking Applications, 2.3) 1.6 To develop critical thinking skills (Grade 9 Literary Response and Analysis, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7) 1.7 To explore creative processes (Grade 9 Writing Strategies, 1.6; Grade 12 Speaking Applications, 2.3) Page 1 of 5
1.8 To develop a motivation to write frequently for oneself (Grade 9 Writing Strategies, 1.6; Writing Applications, 2.1; Listening and Speaking 1.3) 2. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES 2.1 Identify distinguishing characteristics of a variety of genre, including but not limited to the following: 2.1.1 Poetry 2.1.2 Short story 2.1.3 Essay 2.1.4 Journal 2.1.5 Letter 2.1.6 Drama 2.2 Write in a variety of genre, selected from but not limited to the following: 2.2.1 Poetry 2.2.2 Short story 2.2.3 Essay 2.2.4 Journal 2.2.5 Letter 2.2.6 Drama 2.3 Develop the following writing skills and/or strategies which: 2.3.1 Organize ideas 2.3.2 Tighten focus to enhance effect 2.3.3 Employ precise diction 2.3.4 Use literary and rhetorical devices 2.3.5 Create characters Page 2 of 5
2.3.6 Create monologue and dialogue 2.3.7 Use descriptive narration 2.3.8 Use active and passive voice appropriate to purpose 2.3.9 Employ journaling techniques 2.3.9.1 Unsent letter 2.3.9.2 List 2.3.9.3 Altered point of view 2.3.9.4 Dialogue 2.4 Recognize and use a writing process in preparation for publication 2.5 Read a variety of works of literature as models and stimuli for writing 2.6 Respond to the writing of others 2.7 Present writing orally for dramatic effect 3. CONTENT OUTLINE Lessons to the whole class or small groups are given on the following as appropriate: 3.1 Samples of a variety of literary genre 3.2 Literary and rhetorical devices 3.3 Emulation of writing in a variety of genre 3.4 Organization of ideas 3.5 Focus to enhance effect 3.6 Diction 3.7 Dramatic forms including stage directions and character descriptions 3.8 Writing process for publication 3.9 Response to writing Page 3 of 5
3.10 Presentation of writing MT. DIABLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 3.11 Recognizing and creating a short story using a variety of narrative techniques 3.12 Organizing and writing a variety of essay forms 4. TIME ESTIMATES Lessons developing form or style such as those listed in section 3 last from several days to a week or more and are repeated as needed. 5. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS 5.1 District-adopted textbooks 5.2 Literature samples 5.3 Supplemental materials 5.4 Videos/films 5.5 Technology 6. EVALUATION OF STUDENT PROGRESS 6.1 Portfolio of student work samples 6.2 Participation 6.3 Performance 6.4 Publication Semester A- foundations of writing Semester B- follows format of Semester A with focus on performance and publication Committee Members: Jan Bergamini Post Retirement Dent Center Mattie Ignacio Vice Principal Clayton Valley High School Julia Kelly Teacher Ygnacio Valley High School Marialana Knorpp Teacher College Park High School Patrick McPhee Teacher Mt. Diablo High School Evie Groch Curriculum Specialist, Dent Center Page 4 of 5
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