Ichabod Crane Central School District

 Mr. Werthner's Web Page

Creative Writing

 

Creative Writing is an one-semester elective course that may be taken during the sophomore, junior or senior year. Students will write creative nonfiction, short fiction, and a variety of poetry styles. Students will do daily journal writing as well. This course emphasizes the process of writing: generating ideas, journal writing, creating first drafts, peer editing, and revision.

Students will share their work with each other on a regular basis. Typically, we will write in our journals for at least fifteen minutes, then form a circle and read aloud. This is not a performance, but rather a chance to get comments on one's writing while it is in a preliminary stage. Reading aloud is a challenge to some students, but it becomes easier as trust is established in the group. Students may ask others to read their writing aloud as well.

Here are some assignments that make up a typical Creative Writing course:

  • Creative Nonfiction
  • Syllabic poetry (haiku and tanka)
  • Limerick poetry
  • Sonnets
  • Villanelles
  • Free verse poetry
  • Odes
  • Personification piece
  • Short stories (one or two)
  • Extended metaphor
  • Radio play
  • Independent writing project
  • Reader responses to various readings
  • Occasional quizzes on techniques and elements
  • Portfolio (in place of a final exam)
  • Anthology (composed of writing from everyone in the class)

 

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