Creative Writing

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Text:  Writing Fiction

Grading:  Each student will write daily in journals/story spinners/Write-Brain activities and on assignments. Each will be working at his or her own pace; however, there will be deadlines for assignments. Each quarter will have approximately ten graded assignments along with a grade for daily writing activities. There will be a final portfolio assignment during the last two weeks of the second quarter.

A final exam is required since this is an academic elective. There are no other tests.

***Students must understand that Creative Writing is a writing class and that they will jeopardize their chances for earning an "A" if they choose to talk and otherwise disturb the "writing atmosphere of the class. They must write daily, working on journals and other assignments.

Requirements:  Daily class participation and a positive attitude. Willingness to share writings with the class. Submission of at least one piece of writing for publication in outside resources. Submission of at least one piece to McNicholas Reflections.

Creative Writing II students will concentrate on their strong points in form and technique. Each student will create a showcase portfolio, work independently, and submit work for publication. During second semester, Creative Writing II students have the additional responsibility of helping with the publication of Reflections, the school literary journal.

Grading Requirements: **Grade on Edline will fluctuate to meet the following requirements!

For an "A": -complete all assigned writings
                    -complete all daily activities each week
                    -willingly read work to the class
                    -turn in all assignments, journals, and revisions on time
                    -submit at least one piece to McNicholas Reflections
                    -submit at least one piece to an outside publication                   

For a "B": -complete all assigned writings
                   -complete all daily activities each week
                   -willingly read work to the class
                   -turn in all assignments (no more than two late assignments)
                   -submit at least one piece to McNicholas Reflections
                   -submit at least one piece to an outside publication

For a "C": -complete assigned writings, possibly having one/two
                        incomplete assignments
                   -complete three of the five daily activities each week
                   -hesitate at reading work to the class
                   -occasionally turn in assignments after the due date
                   -submit one piece to McNicholas Reflections
                   -submit at least one piece to an outside publication

For a "D": -complete assigned writings, possibly having three
                        incomplete assignments
                   -complete three daily activities each week
                   -seldom read work to the class
                   -submit one piece to McNicholas Reflections
                   -submit at least one piece to an outside publication        

 First Quarter Plan (tentative):                                     Due Date: See Edline
     Daily activities (keep current; checked randomly)                               
     All About Me                                          
     Horoscope activity                                   
     Poems: Cut-up or Collage poem              
                 parent poem                                                                   
                "I Remember"                                        
                definition poems (level 1 and 2)                
                "I Do Not Understand"     
                 Twenty Actions poem                        
     story from sentence prompt                      
     Mysteries of Harris Burdick story                            
                                                                                     

Second Quarter Plan:                                  Due Date: See Edline
   Daily activities (keep current; checked randomly)                                     
   Poetry Booklet:                                          
               - "Just Because" poem                           
                - Bull Durham credo                      
                -  10 additional original poems  
   Jumble Story                                              
   Horror story                                                            
   Choice piece                                                                                                      
   Modern Fairy Tale                                                                                                                      
   My creative monster                                                                                                          
   submission to outside publication              
   submission to Reflections                                                                 
   Creative Writing Binder