Creative Writing for Middle School (Semester)
In this 6-week class, students will learn how to take their fiction writing to the next level. We will cover the different elements of storytelling, while the students work on their own short stories.
Erica Sirratt
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(267)
What's included
6 live meetings
5 in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
There's nothing more fun than expressing yourself through creative writing! Each week, students will begin class with a creative writing exercise and finish with writing by applying what they've learned. We will cover different elements of fiction and non-fiction writing. Students will get to take their own unique ideas and write stories. Students will be encouraged to work on their stories outside of class and submit them for personal feedback. Week 1: Writing warm-up Genres and Tropes What are the different sub-genres of fiction? What are tropes and are they bad? Discuss the six types of conflict (man versus man, man versus self, etc...) Discuss how all story plots can be simplified down to these different conflicts Writing activity: Choose a genre, trope, and conflict and start brainstorming story ideas Week 2: Writing warm-up Why is the setting so important? Discuss good descriptive words Creating a unique setting for your story Importance of creating character/world history Start brainstorming about characters Writing activity: Work on the back story/setting and start brainstorming character ideas Week 3: Writing warm-up Different types of characters - Protagonist, antagonist, foil, dynamic, static, round, flat Look at different kinds of "stock" characters How to use evolve those characters into deeper, round characters Tips for making realistic characters Writing activity: Start working on creating the characters for your story Week 4: Writing warm-up Constructing families for characters Personality types, birth order, careers, and other ways to make characters believable Verbal and non-verbal communication Plot diagram Writing activity: Start working on a plot diagram and timeline of events for your story Week 5: Writing warm-up Types of scenes How to start and finish the first scene How to add details to your writing Writing activity: Start writing the story Week 6: Writing warm-up Important literary devices - flashback, foreshadowing, irony, suspense Creating a suspense and flashback scene Writing activity: Work on creating a suspense or flashback scene for your story
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
4.8
267reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from University of Central Arkansas
I have a bachelor's degree in writing and journalism. I worked as a journalist for over five years and won several awards during my career. A large portion of my college years was spent studying creative writing. I have self-published a few fiction books and I am currently working on another. I have taught in homeschool co-ops and taught my own children to read and write. Before changing my degree to writing, my study focus was on how to teach writing.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$75
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
50 min
Completed by 6 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-13
3-6 learners per class
