The student will explore and practice every step and element of the writing process, including brainstorming, editing, revising, peer editing, sentence/paragraph/essay structure, descriptive language, and word choice.

Class will consist of instruction, learning activities, writing exercises, and workshops.

Homework will consist of writing and editing the current writing assignment.

Weeks 1- 4: Narrative Writing
During weeks 1-4, the student will learn about narrative writing.  They will read and analyze examples of narrative writing.  They will write, workshop, and edit their own Character Sketch, Autobiographical Incident, and Short Story.

Weeks 5 - 8: Expository Writing
During weeks 5-8, the student will learn about expository writing.  They will read and analyze examples of expository writing.  They will write, workshop, and edit their own Introduce Yourself!, Process Essay, and Compare and Contrast Essay.

Weeks 9 - 12: Persuasive Writing
During weeks 9-12, the student will learn about persuasive writing.  They will read and analyze examples of persuasive writing.  They will write, workshop, and edit their own Letter for Social Change, Personal Essay, and Analysis of a Short Story.

Weeks 13-16: Creative Writing

Weeks 17-20: Research Writing

At the end of the twenty weeks, students will have a writing portfolio of at least twelve different pieces (Character Sketch, Autobiographical Incident, Short Story, Introduce Yourself!, Process Essay, Compare and Contrast Essay, Letter for Social Change, Personal Essay, and Analysis of a Short Story). Not only will students have a solid writing foundation for their future academic endeavors, they will have written communication skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.