***THIS IS NOT AN ART CLASS. It is a creative writing class.*** 

Being able to paint a picture in the reader’s mind is the beginning of great descriptive writing. In this live interactive ongoing class with weekly stand-alone lessons, learners will engage in a colorful power point presentation and discussion where they will use words, instead of paint and a brush, to make the picture in our mind come alive for others to see and experience. Each week we will focus on a creative writing "P.A.I.N.T with your Words" element, then apply it to our writing. In class, learners will engage in an interactive slide show presentation where everyone is expected to participate verbally. We will practice the concepts through writing exercises which will culminate in a fun, creative writing or poetry assignment. Students will be given an opportunity to share what they've written before the class lecture ends. 

Ongoing Course Description:

Each lesson is a stand alone. Below are P.A.I.N.T. element topics we will rotate using different writing prompts each time so reviewing a P.A.I.N.T. technique will be new each time. Each class will start with a general introduction to the concept of P.A.I.N.T. with your words and how to use words to be descriptive so that the reader will see the same picture in their head that we see. Then an interactive lesson will be taught where learners will be asked to practice the elements verbally, then written in a prompt. Students will get to read their writing at the end of class if they choose. 

Each lesson is a stand alone and students can jump in anytime, however content does build in the sense that the elements are all required the best descriptive writing possible. We will rotate through each P.A.I.N.T. element with different writing prompts so each element will give the learner a chance to create something new. 

Lesson 1:  Learners will be introduced to what syntax is and why it's important in writing. Then we will review the 8 parts of speech and how to write strong sentences using various sentence structures. Poetry assignments will be given to reinforce the 8 parts of speech.

Lesson 2: Students will learn the difference between active and passive writing and how to use descriptive writing so their words  paint a picture in the reader's mind. Through examples and writing prompts, and they will practice active writing to P.A.I.N.T. with their words.

Lesson 3: We will review active and passive writing, adding a new technique called "showing and telling." Writing exercises will be given to practice this element of descriptive writing. 

Lesson 4: We will review show, don't tell and learn how it's used in a personal narrative paragraph. 

Lesson 5: Students will be introduced to mood and how we use it in storytelling. 

Lesson 6: Learners will identify the five senses and learn how to use them in their descriptive writing of setting. Creative writing sensory homework will be given so learners can experience the five senses for themselves and use it in their writing.

Lesson 7:  We will continue work with 5 senses and active writing to write descriptive sentences and paragraphs about different settings. 

Lesson 8: We will review the 5 senses in descriptive writing and learn how active writing helps the setting come a live. 

Lesson 9: We will continue to practice all the techniques we've learned using different writing prompts aided by detailed photos. Students will write their own descriptive paragraph or story based on the prompts in class. 

Lesson 10: Students will learn about strong nouns, verbs, adjectives, and when and when not to use adverbs. We will learn various types of Japanese (syllable) poetry that emphasize the importance of nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Lesson 11: We will continue to practice using strong active verbs instead of adverbs. Emphasis will be placed on adding colorful adjectives to change the meanings of sentences. Japanese (syllable) poetry will emphasize the importance of nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Lesson 12: Using different sentence prompts students will practice using synonyms and antonyms to choose the precise word for the image they want to create. Lantern poetry will emphasize the importance of using precise colorful words. 

Lesson 13: Students will learn about figurative language, specifically similes and metaphors. They will practice them through writing exercises which will include all the previous techniques to bring a photo to life with words.

Lesson 14: Students will learn about figurative language and practice writing with  idioms, onomatopoeia, alliteration, and hyperboles.  
 

Lesson 15: Students will learn about personification. They will practice using personification through writing personification stories. The story process will be taught. 

Course Requirements:
•  Learners should have a grasp on the basic 8 parts of speech.
•  Learners should be able to write sentences and paragraphs, though they do not have to have mastered paragraph structure. 
•  Learners should be able to type (or have someone type for them) to submit completed writing via email or google docs.