Creative Writing for Young Adults (Flexible Schedule)

This is a flexible schedule course that meets asynchronously for 7 weeks. Learners will design and develop a creative writing piece from the ground up. Learners are expected to respond to discussion questions, respond to other students and submit writing assignments online at least once a week. The teacher will post a weekly video/written lecture and log into the classroom at least 3 times a week to respond to student questions and submissions. All genres of writing are welcome!

Week 1: The Elements of Literature
What is your favorite piece of literature? Why do you love it? What are the key elements that make you connect to the story? 
This week we will learn about the fundamentals of literature and how we will structure our writing moving forward. The goal is to have a fully completed writing piece at the end of 7 weeks.

Week 2: Plot Development
We will discuss the elements of plot and how we can use the plot as a map for our story. Learners will free write using the provided prompts and submit a plot outline rough draft.

Week 3: Character Design
Writers often underestimate the importance of fully developing their characters before writing. We will spend two weeks exploring our characters and how they function throughout the plot. Learners will engage in discussion regarding character motivation, fatal flaws, and character traits.

Week 4: The Importance of Setting
Setting is an important character in your story! We will explore how the setting influences both characters and plot. We will focus on using descriptive words to express where our characters are in physical space and time.

Week 5: Rough Draft 1/Peer Edit for Content/Re-Write
It's finally time to write a first copy! Learners will complete a rough draft during this week and share it with the class. Learners will peer edit for content (not grammar) at least one other student's work and all students will re-write their first copy. This is an important phase in the writing process, as writers often want to write a single copy and call it finished. 

Week 6: Rough Draft 2/Peer Edit for Content, Grammar, and Mechanics/Re-Write
This is similar to week 5, but this time we are looking at the whole piece of writing. Learners will peer edit other's work and look for issues with content, continuity, grammar, and mechanics. The peer editing process is integral to developing key writing skills, as new writers are often too emotionally attached to their own work and cannot see potential errors.

Week 7: The Final Copy!
Learners will submit a final copy to share with the class. Each student will receive an in depth reading and written commentary provided by the teacher. The teacher will make note of successes, as well as areas for growth.