Creative Writing
Each class we will focus on a different aspect of creative writing. You will be given time to complete each creative writing entry. At the end you will choose one piece that you would like to develop and edit. This piece will be evaluated for a grade. These tasks are meant to help you prepare for the Original Composition part of the exam.
Creative Writing # 1 -- Descriptive Paragraph
-Pick a moment to describe
-Write a paragraph where you focus on diction (word choice) and detail.
-Potential topics:
-getting up in the morning
-a first date
-an argument
-any other topic you want
Creative Writing # 2 -- Character Sketch (2 paragraphs)
-Describe yourself or another person you know well
1) Describe yourself from the outside, using the third person.
- Look back at yourself as an observer, and notice first your physical characteristics.
- Describe your facial features and your body—size, shape, weight, manner.
- Don’t forget hair, skin, eyes—especially eyes.
- Focus on including specific details and using the senses to create the image (imagery)
2) Describe your behaviours, gestures, personality traits.
-Now describe everything that is not physical -- behaviour, gestures, personality traits.
- Think about characteristics or kinds of actions or activities.
eg. “She can always be found on the outside of a circle, observing carefully but not getting involved”
- Use specific examples of gestures, actions, and show how these exemplify the whole person.
-Focus on including specific details and using the senses to create an image (imagery)
Creative Writing # 3 -- Dialogue
-Write a dialogue between two characters. Your piece should include both narration and dialogue.
-Focus on following proper dialogue rules and using dialogue to add to the piece.
-Focus on creating a specific tone in your piece.
-Topic:
-Pick a specific situation
-First date
-An argument
-At the hairdresser
-At the bank
-A Christmas party
-Any other topic of your choice
Creative Writing # 4 -- Creating an engaging hook
-Write two different openings to a story based on the following prompt.
-Prompt: Keeping an open mind allows for growth
-Choose 2 of the 4 options on the OC hooks page to start your story
-Practice using them to create an engaging opening to your story
-You should brainstorm the full plot of your story before you start -- how will it answer the prompt?
-Then think about the best place to start your story
Creative Writing # 5 -- Manipulating syntax
-Choose one of the pieces you have already written (CW # 1-4) and manipulate the syntax of the piece. Remember that syntax = sentence structure.
-This could mean:
-varying sentence length
-varying how your sentences start (remember sentence openers sheet)
-adding some more sophisticated punctuation (colon, semi-colon, dash) -- make sure you use them correctly!
-etc.
Creative Writing # 1 -- Descriptive Paragraph
-Pick a moment to describe
-Write a paragraph where you focus on diction (word choice) and detail.
-Potential topics:
-getting up in the morning
-a first date
-an argument
-any other topic you want
Creative Writing # 2 -- Character Sketch (2 paragraphs)
-Describe yourself or another person you know well
1) Describe yourself from the outside, using the third person.
- Look back at yourself as an observer, and notice first your physical characteristics.
- Describe your facial features and your body—size, shape, weight, manner.
- Don’t forget hair, skin, eyes—especially eyes.
- Focus on including specific details and using the senses to create the image (imagery)
2) Describe your behaviours, gestures, personality traits.
-Now describe everything that is not physical -- behaviour, gestures, personality traits.
- Think about characteristics or kinds of actions or activities.
eg. “She can always be found on the outside of a circle, observing carefully but not getting involved”
- Use specific examples of gestures, actions, and show how these exemplify the whole person.
-Focus on including specific details and using the senses to create an image (imagery)
Creative Writing # 3 -- Dialogue
-Write a dialogue between two characters. Your piece should include both narration and dialogue.
-Focus on following proper dialogue rules and using dialogue to add to the piece.
-Focus on creating a specific tone in your piece.
-Topic:
-Pick a specific situation
-First date
-An argument
-At the hairdresser
-At the bank
-A Christmas party
-Any other topic of your choice
Creative Writing # 4 -- Creating an engaging hook
-Write two different openings to a story based on the following prompt.
-Prompt: Keeping an open mind allows for growth
-Choose 2 of the 4 options on the OC hooks page to start your story
-Practice using them to create an engaging opening to your story
-You should brainstorm the full plot of your story before you start -- how will it answer the prompt?
-Then think about the best place to start your story
Creative Writing # 5 -- Manipulating syntax
-Choose one of the pieces you have already written (CW # 1-4) and manipulate the syntax of the piece. Remember that syntax = sentence structure.
-This could mean:
-varying sentence length
-varying how your sentences start (remember sentence openers sheet)
-adding some more sophisticated punctuation (colon, semi-colon, dash) -- make sure you use them correctly!
-etc.