Ms. Carpenter
CW II-IV
Creative Writing II-IV
Week 1: January 29-February 6,
2015
Objectives: TSWBAT:
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9.4/10.4 The student will read, comprehend, and
analyze a variety of literary texts including narratives,
narrative non fiction, poetry, and drama.
9.6 The student will develop narrative, expository and
persuasive writings for a variety of audiences and
purposes.
9.7/10.7/11.7 The student will self and peer edit
writing for correct grammar, capitalization,
punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and
paragraphing.
Day 1: Thursday, January 29th, 2015
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Course introduction
o Writing Interest Inventory
o Go over syllabus
 Found online at: http://kghsmscarpenter.wordpress.com
o Outline Notebook Assignments
o Course overview/Classroom Procedures
Alphabet Writing Prompt: Write a story where every sentence starts with a new letter of the alphabet. You
may go in forward (ABCD) or reverse order (ZYXW…). If you want a challenge: one sentence must be
only one word long, one sentence is one hundred words long.
o Be prepared to share with class on Friday
Day 5: Friday, January 30th, 2015
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Check notebooks – 15pts.
Share ABC stories.
Begin Elements of Fiction PPT
o Define fiction
o Discuss forms
Read : Best American 350 Word Story by Barry Lopez
o Dissect elements of the story: character, plot, tension, conflict, etc.
o How does the author employ the senses?
o Show the story: How does the author use language to describe the setting/character?
Day 1: Monday, February 1
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Check notebooks – 10/15 pts. / Collect drawings
Prompt: Write a 350 word story (40 minutes of class time)
Ms. Carpenter
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CW II-IV
o Be prepared to share and revise on Friday 9/5
Discuss workshop rules
Read “Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott from Bird By Bird
o Discuss why we need to revise
Reread your 350 word story.
o Highlight all the forms of be: am, is, are, was, were, have, has, had
 Delete half of them
o Circle all adverbs: words that modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs (usually end in –ly)
 Delete 1/3 of them
Bring in a revised copy of your story (a clean copy, no edit marks) for Friday.
o Draft should be double spaced, either typed or CLEARLY handwritten
Day 2: Tuesday, February 2
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Warm Up: What is your best piece of writing advice?
Check notebooks- 5/15 pts
Begin workshop on 350 word story
o Revised draft due on Tuesday September 9 (40 points)
 Student MUST attach copy of rough draft to revision in order to receive credit.
 Any revised draft that does not include significant revisions will result in a 0
Read Flash Fiction piece: “Why We Never Talk About Sugar” by Aubrey Hirsch
o Discuss Hirsch’s use of form; 2 Paragraph response
Day 3: Wednesday, February 3
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Journal Prompt: Why is form important in fiction? What do all stories need? Is there a specific structure
that ought to be followed?
Discuss Elements of a story: focus on PLOT: Discuss Chapter 2 of Burroway
Watch “Paperman” Pixar short
o What story elements are included in this short piece?
 Chart plot diagram- identify tension/conflict
Read “The Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams; in partners work on reading guide
Day 4: Thursday, February 4
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Finish “Use of Force” WS (15 minutes)
Flash Fiction PPT
Read examples of flash fiction by Sherrie Flick, TBA, and Chelsea Kindred: “Chewing”
o Write 2 Paragraph response
Day 5: Friday, February 5
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Collect 350 Word Essay
Read “Love and other Catastrophes: A Mix Tape” by Amanda Holzer
o http://artistperil.blogspot.com/2006/06/love-and-other-catastrophes-mix-tape.html
How can a plot diagram resist conformity?
Writing Prompt: Write your own mix-tape story (at least 15 songs)
o 40 minutes of writing time (Orange cow)