Welcome to Creative Writing 9

In the past this course was a 9/10 course, it has now been changed to a one term grade 9 class. The course is condensed which means students will have to work hard to get through a number of writing assignments. It also means we may not be able to get through  as much material. This class provides a fantastic opportunity for individuals to develop their creative skills. NO TESTS, JUST LOTS OF WRITING! Stay posted for the course outline and expectations.

Term 4 begins as does Poetry

This term has begun with students learning the toolkit of poetic terms.
Link to Poetic Terms

We then began with an 8 line poem that had a simile and an example of personification in it. The second poem was an issue poem which was to deal with a big world issue like: poverty, politics, war, suicide etc. Our third poem assignment, and probably the hardest,was to write a metaphorical poem. The idea was to choose a theme and focus the entire poem around the concept. Example poem could be on death, greed, love etc. Next came the envelope poems where students were given paper and asked to write 10 words on the paper. The idea with this type of poem is to try to create a poem from the random words one is given.

Rules for Envelope poems

• You do not have to use all 10 words only the ones that work, but try to use at least 6 of the words
• Derrivatives of the words are allowed  ex. travel travelled travels
• Don't compromise meaning for rhyme or to fit the words in, meaning always comes first
• Try to find creative ways to use the words ex.  peacock might be the word and an example of how it might be used is "peacock coloured imagination"

Students are to complete two envelope poems and two choice poems. The choice poems can be on any theme and in any style.

Matt Radar and other Writers come to Isfeld during Humanitities Week

Link to Matt Radar

Update of Assignments for term 3

The following is a list of assignments required to be completed for term 3. Please make sure you have all work in by the first week back after the break. A reminder, that students can use X - Block on Wednesdays to get help with any of their work, or to complete any outstanding assignments.

1. Story about object: completed in class. marks:10
2. Brainstorm: should include 5 very brief story ideas about your life. Most people have completed this work in class. marks:10
3. Short story: This piece involves writing a personal naarative from an individual experience. This piece should have been edited by the teacher prior to be handed in for marks. marks: 25
4. Setting/ Fav. place in BC: You were to write describing a favourite place in BC. Your writing should focus on the elements of setting ( time, place, etc.) as well as using Show not tell in your writing. Try to paint a picture in the reader's mind of the place you are describing. marks: 10
4. Me as character: In this assignment, you are to describe yourself as though you are a character in a book. You may find it easier to write from third person or from the perspective of an all knowing narrator. This may well be one of the most difficult assignments of the term. marks: 15
5. Girl/guy: This was an in class assignment about giving advice to the opposte sex. We read these out in class and I laughed a few good laughs. marks: 5
6. Contest Assignment: DoritosWrite the Ending/Conversation with Famous Person: Regardless of whether you enter the contests or not, you need to choose one of these assignments to complete for class, and hand in to me. marks: 10
7. Fictional Character Description: Create your own character and write about them using Show not Tell. Have fun! marks:10
Example: instead of saying: She has red hair and is about 5'4''. (TELL) try this: Her fiery locks hung down over her delicately exposed shoulders. (SHOW)
8. Dialogue: Remember to move plot or develop character through your dialogue (marks 10)
9 Conflict: You do not have to write an entire story... just remember that conflict is what moves a story along. Conflict can take many forms such as internal, character vs. character, character vs. nature etc.  (marks 10)

ALL OF THESE ASSIGNMENTS SHOULD BE COMPLETEDAND HANDED IN
 BY FRIDAY APRIL 9

First Assignments Writing

1.Brainstorm some childhood-to present day experiences that fall into the following categories.

Adventurous/Fun
Sad/Disappointing
Happy/Great Day
Embarassing
Other (Satisfying)
Total 10 marks

2. Hmwk next class (Tues.) Bring in an object to tell a story to the group about. The object can be anything, but there has to be a story attached to it.
Total 10 marks

Interview with Natalie Goldberg at Creativity Portal

Check out the Interview by clicking on the link. Interview Natalie Goldberg

Welcome to Creative Writing 9/10 Semester 2

“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."