El Club de Escritura: Escritura creativa, vocabulario y recursos literarios

Each week the class focus and challenge will be different, but the format will be similar, and the goal remains the same: To foster in students a love of writing while developing critical writing and communication skills. Each class is stand-alone and can be taken as a one-time class. 

An example class might be as follows: The challenge is to write a persuasive letter from an elephant's point of view about why he/she should be allowed to take a vacation from the zoo. Students should attempt to use the vocabulary words adjacent, majority, and splinter in the letter. Students should also include one example of alliteration. 

A standard class would begin with a warm-up game or activity, followed by instructor demonstration and explanation of the literary device and vocabulary words (adjacent, majority, splinter). Then, the instructor will give examples and explain persuasive writing, and students will engage in a mini-challenge related to the writing style (for example, writing strong, stronger, and strongest persuasive sentences). Finally, students will use class time to work on their main challenge assignment. 

Sample of literary devices (will differ from week to week): allusion, alliteration, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, emotional appeal, sarcasm, rhyme scheme, tone, voice, foreshadowing, etc. 

Each class will include three middle-grade vocabulary words (such as optional, repugnant, reduce, obsolete, hirsute, designate, irate). The instructor will demonstrate the usage and give definitions of each. 

The final challenge will encourage students to use the week's literary device as well as the vocabulary words in the writing assignment. 

Creative writing styles might include poetry, journaling, alternating points-of-view, letters, dialogue, expository, descriptive, fantasy, and many more. 

Learners will improve their writing skills, learn and practice literary devices, study vocabulary words, and have fun in each class!