Creative Writing Workshop: Writing Exercises for High Schoolers

Does your child recoil in horror at the mere mention of writing? It's likely due to an imbalance of academic and creative writing. I'll let you in on a secret: this class is like the hidden veggie puree you mix into the mac and cheese or chocolate muffins. The students will think they're having fun writing creatively, but all the while they're learning different styles and techniques that great writers use. 

This ongoing class focuses on creative writing in order to remind students of the joy they once felt while writing creatively. This workshop style class provides different exercises each week to get that creative brain muscle moving. Each class is unique in nature which allows students to join at any time. 

Each week I will present an example of a technique or style using mentor texts. A mentor text is a text that provides an excellent example of a specific technique or style; they can provide an avenue for new ideas--especially for students who say they don't know what to write about. 
For example, students may read a poem in which the author focuses on a specific literary device and uses a unique style of delivery; students will think of their own topic and write an entirely new poem in the same style/format. 
Another example is to read a page/paragraph of a book in which the author portrays an exceptional example of imagery. After reading the excerpt, students will write their own short piece that focuses heavily on imagery. 

This workshop will push students out of their writing comfort zones through creative formats, formulas, techniques, and styles they can emulate. 
Students will write during class and are encouraged to share their writing with the group. If a student writes something highly personal and does not wish to share, they are not required to share. I will keep track of sharing time so that each student has the opportunity to speak. Some writing activities are completed by the individual and others are a "round robin" sort of writing where students write for a set amount of time and then trade pieces to continue writing someone else's story. I will provide feedback to each student during the class. 

There is no required experience or knowledge other than being able to read and write in English. This class is not grammar focused, but if there is a specific literary technique I will provide an explanation and example. 


Week of March 6th Sensory Imagery and Details and prompt
Week of March 13th Show Don't Tell and prompt
Week of March 27th Rhetorical Questions
Week of April 3rd Golden Shovel with 6 Word Memoirs
Week of April 10th Writing Prompt Round Robin
Week of April 17th Circular Writing
Week of April 24th Personification
Week of May 1st Perception