program plan
program plan
Program Overview
Program Title: Introduction to Creative Writing
Target Audience: This program is designed for beginners with no
prior creative writing experience. It can be adapted for high school
students, adults, or a mixed group.
Program Duration: 8 weeks, with 2-hour sessions each week.
Program Description: This program will introduce participants to the
fundamental concepts and techniques of creative writing. Through
exploration of different genres, writing exercises, and constructive
feedback, students will develop their writing skills and discover their
creative voice.
II. Learning Objectives
Define and identify key elements of creative writing (plot, character,
setting, theme, point of view, genre).
Craft clear and concise sentences using strong verbs, vivid vocabulary,
and varied sentence structures.
Develop engaging descriptions through sensory details and figurative
language.
Utilize effective storytelling techniques like conflict, suspense, and
pacing.
Identify and analyze the characteristics of different creative writing
genres (fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction).
Write short pieces in different genres, experimenting with form and
style.
Brainstorm and develop creative ideas through various techniques
(freewriting, prompts, mind maps).
Structure and revise creative work, focusing on clarity, coherence, and
flow.
Incorporate constructive criticism to improve writing and develop a
personal voice.
Share work confidently and provide constructive feedback to peers.
III. Curriculum Outline
Week 1: Foundations of Creative Writing
Learning Objectives:
Define creative writing and its elements (plot, character, setting, theme, etc.)
Identify different genres of creative writing.
Start developing a writer’s toolkit (strong verbs, figurative language).
Activities:
Class discussion: What is creative writing?
Genre exploration activity: Introduce different genres and their characteristics.
In-class writing exercise: Focus on strong verbs and descriptive language.
Reading assignment: Short excerpts from various genres (poetry, fiction, etc.).
Week 2: Building Characters
Learning Objectives:
Understand character development techniques.
Create believable and engaging characters.
Practice writing in first and third person point of view.
Activities:
Lecture: Techniques for creating well-rounded characters (backstory, motivation, etc.).
Character creation workshop: Develop characters through description and dialogue.
Point of view exercise: Write a scene from different character perspectives.
Reading assignment: Short story focusing on character development.
Week 3: Crafting Worlds: Setting and Description
Learning Objectives:
Understand the importance of setting in creative writing.
Use sensory details to create vivid and immersive settings.
Develop descriptive writing skills.
Activities:
Discussion: The role of setting in storytelling.
Sensory details exercise: Engage all five senses to describe a location.
Setting creation challenge: Build a world based on prompts or images.
Reading assignment: A passage rich in descriptive language.
Week 4: Plotting and Conflict
Learning Objectives:
Identify different plot structures.
Understand the importance of conflict in storytelling.
Develop a basic plot outline for a creative piece.
Activities:
Presentation: Common plot structures (Freytag’s Pyramid, Hero’s Journey, etc.).
Conflict creation activity: Brainstorm different types of conflict for a story.
Plot outline exercise: Develop a simple plot structure for a short story.
Reading assignment: Short story with a clear plot and conflict.
Week 5: Exploring Genres: Fiction
Learning Objectives:
Analyze the key elements of fiction writing.
Write a short piece of fiction using genre conventions.
Practice incorporating dialogue effectively.
Activities:
Discussion: Elements of successful fiction writing (dialogue, pacing, etc.).
Fiction writing workshop: Students write a short story based on prompts or themes.
Dialogue writing exercise: Create realistic and engaging dialogue between characters.
Reading assignment: A short story from a chosen genre (mystery, romance, etc.).
Week 6: Exploring Genres: Poetry
Learning Objectives:
Identify different poetic forms and techniques (figurative language, rhyme scheme, etc.).
Analyze and appreciate poetry.
Write a short poem in a chosen form.
Activities:
Introduction to poetry: Explore various forms and techniques.
Poetic analysis workshop: Students analyze a poem, identifying its elements.
Poetry writing exercise: Write a short poem in a chosen form (haiku, sonnet, etc.).
Reading assignment: A selection of poems from different styles.
Week 7: Exploring Genres: Creative Nonfiction
Learning Objectives:
Understand the concept of creative nonfiction.
Analyze techniques used in creative nonfiction writing.
Write a short piece of creative nonfiction based on a personal experience.
Activities:
Discussion: What is creative nonfiction? Explore different subgenres (memoir, essay, etc.).
Creative nonfiction analysis: Students analyze a piece of creative nonfiction.
Creative nonfiction writing exercise: Write a short piece based on a personal experience.
Reading assignment: A short piece of creative nonfiction.
Week 8: Sharing and Revision
Learning Objectives:
Provide and receive constructive feedback on creative work.
Revise and edit creative writing for clarity and impact.
Develop a writer’s voice and confidence.
Activities:
Workshop: Students share their work and receive constructive feedback from peers.
Revision techniques lecture: Strategies for revising and editing creative writing.
Revision exercise: Students .