Why writing is important....

Term 2 Assignments

WRITING RUBRICS Click on this link to see how your writing will be evaluated.

The following assignments need to be completed for your term 2 report.

1. 8 line poem: on theme, includes a simile or metaphor (10 marks)
2. Envelope poem: using 6 words from the envelope  (10 marks)
3. Your choice poem: make sure it is on a theme (10 marks)
4. Issue poem: written on a modern day issue (10 marks)
5. Portfolio: Between 1-6 quality pieces of writing that have been edited and revised. I will only accept edited pieces in this portfolio. Due the last day of classes before exams. Students can pick up their portfolios during the exam week. (50 marks) Please refer to writing rubric for how the portfolio will be marked.
6. Effort: Evidence that class time is used to be working through the writing process (10 marks)

Don't forget the following assignments from earlier these include the following: mood, monologue, and a short story of your choice. If you have more than three pages on your story you can hand in a in progress piece.

Writing Assignments to date

1. Description of self as though you are a character in a book. ( 1-2 paragraphs)
   10 marks
2. Personal experience brainstorm: involves 5 short paragraphs of different stories about yourself (adventure, embarassing, scary, etc.) 10 marks
3. Personal Experience story ( personal narrative format, 1-2 pages) 20 marks
4. Character descriptions (2): You are to do two of these. Your characters should be described through action. Use show not tell. 10 marks each = 20 marks
Example: Bob had red hair and stood 6 feet tall (TELL)
               As Bob sauntered into the room, all eyes were on his lanky 6 foot frame
               and flaming red hair.  (SHOW)   
5. Dialogue: the purpose of this assignment is to use dialogue to develop/reveal character or move plot  
( it should be a minimum of 10 lines long) 10 marks
6.  Setting: Choose a favourite place in British Columbia and describe it through show. Put a character into a setting if necessary to reveal the setting. Remember when you write, it is like you are unwrapping a present with your words. Choose your words carefully. Feel free to really put the senses into your writing. (SIGHT< SOUND< SMELL<TOUCH<TASTE) 10 marks
7. NEW ASSIGNMENT TODAY : Conflict: Write a one page piece deveoping conflict between any characters in a story. The confict only has to begin, you do not have to resolve it. 10 marks

First Week's Assignments

Assignment #1 : Description of self as though you are a character in a book. Much of our focus this semester will be based on trying to get you to use show not tell in your work. This assignment focuses on this idea right away. A typical description of self would include a physical description with some likes and dislikes...boring! So instead describe yourself how Stephen King might write about you in one of his horror stories. Imagine how you would be described in a Twilight novel. Write about you the way a writer would see you. The easiest way to do this is to put yourself into a situation, and use the situation to describe yourself. Sounds a little complicated...well it is. I'm not expecting perfection....we will continue to work on this assignment in class.
Marks: 10

Assignment #2 : Special Object. Find an object at home that has some special significance to you for any reason. You are to bring in this object to tell us a story about it. Why is it special, important, significant, how/why do you connect with the object. The purpose of this assignment is to learn more about each of you and to see how well you can tell a story.
Marks 10

Welcome to Creative Writing 9/10

“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” - E.L. Doctorow

Creative Writing is a course for students who enjoy stretching their minds in new directions. Students will experiment with a variety of genres including: fairy tales, personal narratives, short stories, journal entries and poetry. The first part of the course focuses on developing technique and style through writing exercises and journal activities. Students will be expected to share some of thier work with the class.

During the second half of the course, students will have the freedom to work on their own writing in a relaxed work environment. Students will produce an individual portfolio on their work that they will be very proud of. it is my hope that we will find a way to publish student's best work so that others might enjoy their creations.

It is expected that all students will use the computer to keep all of their work organized and allow for multiple drafts of their work. Purchasing a  4gb jump drive would be helpful for students to bring their work home to work on and bring it back to class the next day.


Marking Criteria: Student assignments will be graded on the following: develpoment of content and style, ability to meet the individual criteria set out in each assignment, vocabulary, develpoment of a writer's voice, and evidence of editing of their work. Each assignment will be weighted for its complexity. Most of the assignments will be marked out of 10.

So go forth young writers and in the words of Wordsworth..."Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."