In this semester course, students and I will work to improve their ability to write an immersive short story by studying writing techniques, collecting beneficial writing exercises, and building good writing habits. Because of this, students should have an understanding of creative writing before joining this class. 

Is this class a good fit for my student?
If your student understands how to create a sentence, what a story is, basic grammar and punctuation rules, and vocabulary words such as plot, characters, conflict, subplots, dialogue, and setting, then they will succeed in this class. 
If you aren’t sure, please feel free to reach out! 

What to expect in this class?
Students and I will meet for class time once a week. In these classes, we will discuss the weekly topic. Then, I will give the story assignment and journal entry topics. 
Journal entries will be turned in together at the end of the semester (please see Journal Portfolio Project for more information on this). 

What is expected from students?
Each week students will be expected to complete a short story (at least two pages long, two journal entries, and participate in class meetings. The story assignments will be due the following class period. I will provide feedback on every story, usually in less than two weeks. Students will be required to submit their pieces in MLA format. I will provide a template to show students how to write in this format and discuss it in the first video for this class.

Journal Portfolio Project 
Students will be expected to keep a writing journal throughout the semester, writing at least two entries in it per week. One of these entries will be a free write, the other will be something to help them complete the next short story. At the end of this semester, students will be asked to type their journal entries into a portfolio to submit to me. They will be required to turn in 20 entries total, allowing them to pick the work they are most proud of to submit. 


Below is a week-by-week description of assignments, expectations, and topics that will be discussed.  

Week 1 
In class: Outline class expectations, Cover how to write in MLA format, Talk about Journal Portfolio Project, Talk about the first assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, Practice activity for the next story (lyric story), and Give journal entries. 
The first assignment is a free-write story. Journal entries include a free write and a list of favorite songs or song lyrics. 
Discussion Topic: What do you like to write? Describe your writing style. What would you like to get out of this class? 

Week 2
In class: Talk about second assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, Talk about/practice techniques to build characters, and Give journal entries.
The second assignment is called the Lyric Story. In this story, students will write a piece in which they try to naturally weave lyrics into their story. 
Journal entries will include a free write and a brainstorming exercise for characters. 
Discussion Topic:  Character Building. 

Week 3
In class: Talk about third assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, Images and Show don't Tell Exercise (How to write and to workshop images), and Give journal entries.
The third assignment is to flesh out their character, then practice writing images to "show" those character traits rather than "tell" them. 
Journal entries will be a free write and to brainstorm a story for the character they created last week. 

Week 4
In class: Talk about fourth assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, Practice describing a setting/picture with images, and Give journal entries.
In the fourth assignment, students will use the character and image planning from last week to create a story, using at least four images. 
Journal entries are a free write and an entry describing a travel destination using only images. 
Discussion Topic: World Building. 

Week 5
In class: Talk about fifth assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, and Give journal entries.
For the fifth assignment, students will write a story where characters experience some type of coincidence. 
Journal entries for this week include a free write and an entry about an experience when they discovered something new. 
Discussion Topic: Coincidence in stories. 

Week 6
In class: Talk about sixth assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, and Give journal entries.
For the sixth assignment, students will write a story in first person pov.
Journal entries for this week include a free write and a brainstorm on the scariest situation they can come up with. 
Discussion Topic: First Person POV. 

Week 7
In class: Talk about seventh assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, and Give journal entries.
For the seventh assignment, students will write a story of change. Whether the change is in the character or in the plot, it needs to be significant and clear.
Journal entries for this week include a free write and a list of their favorite books along with an overview of one. 
Discussion Topic: Favorite Book 

Week 8
In class: Talk about eighth assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, “Quote as a writing exercise” Writing Exercise, and Give journal entries.
For the eighth assignment, students will write a story in the style or setting of their favorite book.
Journal entries for this week include a free write and making a list of their favorite quotes. Discussion Topic: Favorite Quote.

Week 9
In class: Talk about ninth assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, Observation practice exercises, and Give journal entries.
For the ninth assignment, students will use their favorite quote to inspire their story. 
Journal entries for this week include a free write and an observation exercise.
Discussion Topic: Observation Exercises and the importance of clear word choice.

Week 10
In class: Talk about tenth assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, and Give journal entries.
For the tenth assignment, students will write a story in third person pov.
Journal entries for this week include a free write and a favorite childhood memory.
Discussion Topic: Third Person point-of-view and Writer’s Block
 
Week 11 
In class: Talk about eleventh assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, “Write a memory” exercise, and Give journal entries.
For the eleventh assignment, students will write about a character who experiences something for the first time or remembers experiencing something for the first time.
Journal entries for this week include a free write and a list of superhero powers.
Discussion Topic: How to write memories into stories and Superpowers.

Week 12
In class: Talk about twelfth assignment requirements, Teach/Discussion, Image Workshop, and Give journal entries.
For the twelfth assignment, students will write a story about a superhero, including their back story and what they chose to do with their powers. 
Journal entries for this week include a free write and image practice.
Discussion Topic: The use of superpowers/magic powers in stories and character arcs.

Week 13
In class: Talk about Journal Portfolio Project, Teach/Discussion, and Setting writing exercise.
Instead of a story, students will have this week to finish typing up their 20 chosen journal entries and submit that. 
Journal entry: reflection. How has your writing process, skill set, or brainstorming process changed over the course of this class? What has challenged you in this course? What skills would you still like to develop further? 
Discussion Topic: Journal keeping/habit developing after class.

Week 14
In class: Talk about the final assignment, Teach/Discussion, and Magic system writing exercise.
The last assignment is a free-write story about anything they would like. This is their opportunity to showcase how much they have learned over the semester.