District Name : Okanagan-Skaha
District Number : 67
Developed by : Cherrie Wells
Date Developed : September 2005
School Name : Summerland Secondary School
Principal’s Name : Bill Bidlake
Board/Authority Approval Date :
Board/Authority Signature :
Course Name : Creative Writing 11
Grade Level of Course : 10-12
Number of Course Credits : 2
Number of Hours of Instruction : 60
Prerequisite(s) : English 9
Special Training, Facilities or Equipment Required : computers, dictionary set, thesaurus set, subscriptions to creative writing journals, class library of writing books
Course Synopsis :
This introductory course offers students the opportunity to explore various forms, genres and approaches to creative writing. Topics include plot, character, prose techniques, poetry techniques, dialogue and appropriate levels of style, as well as how to outline a piece of writing, logical development, balance and pacing, and the various forms available to writers. Students will compile a portfolio of their writing and also present selected pieces at a ‘coffee house’.
Rationale :
The ability to communicate effectively in written form is an important skill to possess in today’s world. With the shift from a resource-based economy to a more information-based economy, the individual who can effectively communicate his/her ideas can motivate, inspire and challenge others.
Creative writing also provides students with an important outlet for their own thoughts, feelings and opinions. This course would provide young writers with a forum to hone their writing skills and discuss their craft with other like minded individuals.
BAA [Creative Writing 11] Framework 1

Organizational Structure :
Unit/Topic Title
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Time
Unit 5
Total Hours
Unit/Topic/Module Descriptions :
Unit 1 : Overview: In this unit, students will review the writing process and explore the various ways one can begin to write. Students will have the opportunity to brainstorm a potential topics list and complete a number of guided writing activities to support this list. In addition, students will explore how different stimuli (music, prompts, pictures, quotes, etc.) assist in the writing process.
Curriculum Organizers and Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:

Brainstorm a number of potential writing topics

Analyze how different stimuli impact the writing process

Review and internalize the writing process
Unit 2 : Overview: In this unit, students will learn how to self edit and peer edit all types of writing. Students will be provided with examples of editing to guide them. Students will be provided with descriptive feedback on their editing abilities. The editing process will be an ongoing process throughout the entire course.
Curriculum Organizers and Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:

Effectively self edit

Provide specific and descriptive feedback to peers on their work

Reflect on the qualities that are required in a piece of writing

Comment on both the strengths and areas that could be improved in a piece of writing
Unit 3 : Overview: In this unit student will explore all aspects of writing prose. Main focuses will be on characterization, developing plot, establishing point of view, selecting appropriate setting, and stylistic features such as dialogue use, literary elements, diction, and show, don’t tell. Ultimately students will develop their own voice as a writer. Prose writing will include both fiction and creative non-fiction practice.
Curriculum Organizers and Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:

Create characters, settings, and plot lines appropriate for a variety of pieces

Experiment with a variety of methods to begin a piece of prose

Explore and refine a variety of stylistic features in his/her writing

Write a variety of different types of prose – short stories, plays, monologues, creative non-fiction pieces, narratives

Use correct and appropriate grammar in his/her writing.
Unit 4 : Overview: In this unit students will focus on experiment on writing a variety of different types of poetry.
They will be introduced to the different types of poems, study the background and form of poetry and experiment with writing their own poems. Topics such as poetic structure, diction, imagery, figures of speech and use of punctuation and line breaks will all be discussed and explored.
Curriculum Organizers and Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
BAA [Creative Writing 11] Framework 2


Identify and explain use of figures of speech, structure, and word choices in published poems

Write a variety of different types of poem

Reflect on own writing and use different stylistic methods to improve his/her work

Experiment with different stylistic methods
Unit 5 : Overview: In this unit students will organize their work for presentation – both in a publishable form and for an audience. Students will take pieces to best copy and bind them into a portfolio. Students will also select pieces to present to an audience during a ‘coffee house’. Students will also be encouraged to submit pieces for publication in various creative writing journals and to writing contests.
Curriculum Organizers and Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:

Select and edit pieces for his/her portfolio

Create an appropriate portfolio to house his/her work

Select pieces and present them to an audience

Rehearse pieces and practice effective public speaking techniques
Instructional Component :

Lecture

Mini-Lessons

Internet tutorials

Peer teaching

Brainstorming

Group work

Guest speakers

Analysis of published works
Assessment Component :
Course evaluation would be based on:


Writing assignments
Portfolio

Writing Journal
40%
40%
20%
Learning Resources :

Variety of writing texts (individual copies, not class sets)

Subscriptions to a number of creative writing journals

Class set of dictionaries and thesauri (school currently has these sets)

Guaranteed access to computers
Additional Information : Currently, there is no such class at SSS to meet the needs of students who are interested in writing. As such, this course would fill a huge void for students who are wishing to explore either their own writing or a career in writing.
BAA [Creative Writing 11] Framework 3