This in-depth class gives students a chance to delve into elements of story writing in order to develop a strong story. Students will learn about the difference between fiction and nonfiction, creating characters, establishing setting, plotting a story, point or view, conflict, theme, tone and showing not telling. By the time they finish this class, they will have created and developed two stories from start to end.  

Class 1: What is a Story?
Students learn about different types of books including: fiction, non-fiction and various genres. They will talk about different types of stories that they like.  They will also learn the steps of the writing process. 


Class 2: Developing Characters
Students will learn about ways to describe characters physical traits and personality traits and they will learn the fundamental elements of creative writing - Show Not Tell.  


Class 3: Establishing Setting
Students will learn what a setting is, how to identify setting in various stories and how to create a strong setting.  


Class 4: Plotting a Story
Students learn the various elements of a plot and start plot and create the outline of the plot using the various elements of plot.  

Class 5: Drafting
Students will learn about paragraphing, how to use quotes and add description and then begin writing their stories. 


Class 6: Drafting 2
Students will learn about similes and metaphors; describing emotions and the use of the five sentences and continue drafting.  


Class 7: Drafting 3

Students will learn revision and editing strategies using the ARMS and the CUPS method.  They will practice revising and editing sentences and paragraphs and then take these skills to their own work.  

Class 8: Critiques
Students will share their work as they feel comfortable and then take the remaining time in the class to revise their work based on the feedback.  

Class 9: Revisions and Editing
Students will share their completed work with their teacher who will work with them one on one.  

Class 10: Planning
Students will plan a story's setting plot and characters on a topic.  

Class 11: Drafting 
Students will work on writing their story. This story will be shorter than the first.  

Class 12: Critique Group and Revising
Students will work in critique groups and then work on feedback.  


Class 13: Editing
Students will revisiting editing and work with the teacher one on one for help editing their work.  

Class 14: Share
Students will share their stories and end with a fun review game about the topics and vocabulary from the course. 


This class is also offered in a once a week for fourteen weeks format.