CREATIVE WRITING 15 / 25 / 35Ā
Mr. Smith | Fall 2023
Room: 2048
š(403) 948-3800 | š§andrewjsmith@rvschools.ab.ca Ā | šhttps://moodle.rockyview.ab.ca
Welcome to Creative Writing 15 / 25 / 35! Please DO NOT HESITATE to come to me with any questions, comments, or concerns whether they pertain to this course, another course, or personal matters; I am here to ensure that your time in my class and at Bert Church High School is educational, empowering, and enjoyable. I have full confidence in your ability to succeed.
Course Description
Course Overview
Creative Writing seeks to allow students the time and instruction to explore their interests in writing. The course will provide students instruction in and exposure to a variety of genres, styles, and theories of writing craft. Students will be given the freedom to explore the areas and genres of writing that interest them the most, but they will also be challenged to explore areas and genres outside of their comfort zones. Ultimately the course will assist students in beginning to build a writing portfolio that will allow them to pursue further studies or potential employment in creative writing. The course will push students to ācultivate their creative thinking and communication skills to become engage thinkers and ethical citizens with an entrepreneurial spirit.ā
As students progress from Creative Writing 15 through Creative Writing 25 and 35, there becomes an increased focus on understanding and fine-tuning their knowledge of their craft, their inherent writing style, and the publishing industry at large as well as how an individual begins moving towards publishing their own work as well as writing professionally in other capacities.Ā
GENERAL LEARNER OUTCOMES:
General Learner Outcomes (provided by Rocky View Schools locally developed course material) identify the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that students are expected to demonstrate to successfully complete Creative Writing. The five outcomes are interdependent and are achieved through a variety of assignments, experiences, and tasks. The G.L.O.s for Creative Writing are:
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Students will listen, speak, read, write, view, and represent to:
Create original texts.
Collaborate with peers and community.
Explore and evaluate creative writing markets and the submission process.
Manage their publication process and understand the professional publication process.
Course Objectives
To practice, experiment, and develop with writing in a variety of styles and genres.Ā
To apply an increased understanding of written expression to the revising and editing of a student's own work as well as the work of others.Ā
Ā To create texts collaboratively and independently, using a variety of forms for a range of audiences and purposes.
To read, view, and listen to a variety of literature for the purpose of applying and furthering the student's own knowledge of written expression and communication.Ā
To digest and critique a variety of literature for the purpose of furthering the student's own knowledge of written expression and communication.Ā
To examine, explore, and begin to understand the career state of modern authors, divorcing reality from the romantic ideals of the profession.Ā
To examine, explore, and begin to understand the publishing industry, divorcing reality from the romantic ideals of the industry.Ā
To examine, explore, and begin to understand secondary fields and careers wherein writing is the principle skill required.Ā
To develop an ability to communicate with increasing maturity, logic, and clarity in both written and verbal forms.
Materials
A binder, in order and up-to-date, complete with lined paper.
Several HB pencils, pens, erasers, and highlighters.
Post-it Notes, pencil crayons, poster paper, and other additional materials may be required for some projects.Ā Notification will be provided.
A pocket dictionary and/or thesaurus (recommended).
Class textbooks, novels, and other materials.
A digital device such as a Chromebook or laptop is recommended. Cell phones are not sufficient in this regard.Ā
Most importantly, a positive attitude and a willingness to participate.
Course Syllabus
Course Schedule
The exact schedule of the course will vary depending on the needs of the student learning group, the constraints of time, and the availability of course materials.Ā
While we will study a variety of texts, the principal texts for the class will be Flying Lessons & Other Stories, a short story anthology edited by Ellen Oh, cofounder of We Need Diverse Books and Suggested Reading by Dave Connis.
Students will undertake units of study on the purpose of storytelling, detail, description, figurative language, and symbols, character and dialogue, setting and worldbuilding, voice, plot, perspective, point-of-view, as well as studies of authors, editing, and the publishing industry.Ā
This year, our primary areas of focus will be atmosphere, tone, and voice; detail, description, and figurative language; character; symbolism; plot, specifically with reference to film scripts; as well as studies of authors, editing, and the publishing industry.Ā
Expectations
General Expectations
Students will attend class every day, prepared to work, with a writing utensil, an organized binder, and any other supplies or textbooks that are being used for the unit being studied.
Food may be used responsibly, but teachers have the right to disallow food if garbage or allergies, become an issue.
Students will treat the teacher and fellow classmates with respect. Everyone has a right to be heard and to learn in a secure environment.
Students will treat the property of the school and the property of others in a proper manner.
Students will not let anything impair their ability to communicate (cell phones, MP3 players, hats, etc.). The teacher may confiscate the item if it becomes an issue.
Absences & Lates
Absences:
It is always the studentās responsibility to determine and complete any evaluative activity that has been missed.Ā
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Excused Absence:
An excused absence occurs when a parent or guardian reports an absence to the school through the School Messenger app or by phoning the school at 403-948-3800. Telephone calls from students are not acceptable, unless the student has āadult statusā confirmed by the administration of BCHS. Parents are requested to notify in advance of the absence if possible. If that is not possible, parents must call the day of the absence, or no later than the day after the absence (i.e. within 24 hours) if it is to be excused. Notes received from parents within this time frame are also acceptable.
If a student is excusably absent from class on days during which an assignment, quiz, examination or other evaluation activity occurs, the student shall be given the opportunity to make up the missed work through either the original or replacement work at the teacher's discretion.
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Unexcused Absence:
An unexcused absence includes those absences for which no phone call or note has been received within 24 hours following the absence.Ā If the student misses a class where there is an assignment due or a quiz or exam written, the work will be awarded a designation of āNHIā (Not Handed In), which constitutes a zero for the purpose of calculating grades. (Chapter S-3, Part 1.14, School Act, 2000). Ā
Late Arrivals:
Attendance is taken withing a few minutes of the bell and then updated once the class has begun to work independently. Do not expect attendance to be adjusted immediately for students arriving late. It will be adjusted prior to the end of the period. Please be patient.Ā
Please arrive to class on time.Ā If you are late for any reason, you will knock on the door and wait outside until it is convenient for your admission into the classroom.
Repeatedly being late will result in disciplinary action which is specific to the presiding teacher. BCHS policy also applies.
Assignments
Readability:
Sloppy or illegible work WILL NOT be accepted.Ā If it canāt be read, it canāt be graded.
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Reporting:
Assignments will be populated in PowerSchool within 48 hours of the due date in questions. Assignments not received will be labelled "Missing / NHI" and scored as a zero until such time as the assignment is submitted.Ā
This procedure will be followed for all assignments, even those for which a student has an extension (see not below). If the assignment is intended to be completed, it will be listed as a zero until it is completed.Ā
Extensions:
Extensions on assignments will only be considered if a student makes arrangement at least one (1) day prior to the due date.Ā An accompanying signature/note from a parent indicating the circumstances of the extension would be welcomed.
Assignments with extensions will still me listed as "Missing / NHI / 0"Ā in PowerSchool until such time as the assignment is submitted.Ā
Effectively, all an extension does is prevent the assignment from being labeled as "Late."
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Digital Submissions:
Assignments may be submitted electronically only at the discretion of the presiding teacher. If the teacher in question does not permit electronic submissions, an assignment submitted in this manner will not be accepted.Ā
Teachers are permitted to establish their own practices for electronic submissions.
Digital assignments can be emailed or shared with Mr. Smith at andrewjsmith@rvschools.ab.ca.Ā
Missed Assignments/Earned Zero Policy:
When a student has an excused absence, it is their responsibility to contact the teacher about missed work, as they are still responsible for the work covered in your absence.Ā
If a task is given that day, the student must contact the teacher to determine a mutually agreeable time for missed assignments to be handed in for marking. Such issues must be discussed with the teacher on the day of the studentās return to classes, or earlier if possible (email).
If excusably absent on the due date of an assignment, then the assignment is due the day you return to school.
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The following assignment policies will apply to the class:
Assignments submitted on the due date will be marked in as timely a fashion as possible (typically two to three weeks, depending on the size and type of assignment). These assignments will be given a rubric and formative feedback.Ā
Assignments submitted up to TWO WEEKS LATE after the due date will be marked as other assignments allow. Late assignments are not the priority, and the only timeline that can be assured is that they will be marked prior to the end of the semester. "Missing / NHI / 0" labels will be removed in PowerSchool within 48 hours of the assignment being submitted. Students will no written feedback on late work, but may arrange a time to discuss the assignment in person with Mr. Smith.Ā Ā
Assignments submitted more than two weeks late will be labeled as "Missing / NHI" and will be awarded a score of zero. Assignments such as this can only be made up during the Recovery Period at the end of the semester.Ā
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Please Note: The presiding teacher has no onus to grade late work immediately. The teacher will do everything in their power to mark late work as quickly as possible, but it may not be marked until the conclusion of the course.
Rewritten Assignments:
Some assignments qualify for replacement grades, which means the most recent example of student achievement will replace the previous one.
If the teacher determines that a rewrite on an assignment is appropriate, the following guidelines apply:
Corrections are not permitted. Assignments must be re-written (i.e. completing a different question or topic) under the guidance of the presiding teacher.
Re-written assignments are due on the date noted by the presiding teacher. Once this date has passed, students will not be permitted to hand in re-writes for the assignment in question.
Re-written assignments must be submitted with:
-Ā Ā Ā Ā The original, marked assignment;
-Ā Ā Ā Ā The mark sheet for the original assignment.
Before a major assignment (such as an essay or another composition) is re-written, the student must discuss it with the presiding teacher one-on-one.
If the noted guidelines are not adhered to, the re-written assignment will not be accepted.
Computer Usage
An educationally functional electronic device as outlined by Bert Church High School policy is an asset.Ā If such a device is to be used, it is expected that students will bring their device to class with charge sufficient for use throughout the period.
Cellphones
Cell phones do not replace the use of a Chromebook/Laptop, and significant research reveals that such devices are immense distractions to student learning and impediments to success. As such, cell phones, tablets, and other non-educational electronic devices should not be used in-class unless expressly directed by the teacher.Ā
Cell phones and other electronic devices may be out during individual student work time. They must be away and out-of-sight during all other times unless specific permission is granted by Mr. Smith. Students violating this request will be given a warning. Following this warning, students who continue to violate this guideline will be asked to place their cell phone in their locker.Ā
Remember, cell phones and social media are excellent repositories of information but have an abysmal affect on students' ability to learn and achieve. In almost all cases, the first intervention asked of a student trying to improve their grade will be to remove their electronic devices from the classroom. Ā
Cheating/Plagiarism
Cheating includes:
Informing other individuals what material is on a test or quiz.Ā
Taking notes or other aids into a text or quiz when it has been forbidden.Ā
Copying - in whole or part - off the work of another student.Ā
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Plagiarism is when one student passes off another individualās work as his or her own; the other individual in question may be a peer or an artist, author, or writer. Plagiarism is the most serious academic offence and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.Ā
Cheating and plagiarism also includes the use of AI programs to compose student work, in whole or in part.Ā
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Any task, assignment, quiz, or test that is presented with evidence of cheating or plagiarism, a grade of zero (0) may be awarded.
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Students will be instructed in the proper use of, and how to cite secondary sources throughout the course.
Students will also be instructed in what constitutes acceptable use of AI programs and software.Ā
If in doubt, check with the presiding teacher as soon as possible, absolutely before the assignment is submitted.
Assessment
In class, students will be assessed on the criteria listed below. Regular attendance, classroom participation and an attitude conducive to learning are necessary for optimum performance and success in the Creative Writing classroom.
During this course, students will complete major assignments, mid-tier assignments, and minor assignments. Each is defined as follows:
-Ā Ā MAJOR ASSIGNMENT ā A key assignment for the course, representing the synthesis of several of the key aspects of the knowledge, skills, and attributes of the course outcomes. Summative as outlined below.
-Ā Ā MID-TIER ASSIGNMENT ā A foundational assignment for the course, focusing on one aspect of the knowledge, skills, and attributes of the course outcomes. Summative as outlined below.Ā
-Ā Ā MINOR ASSIGNMENT - A foundational assignment for the course, focusing on one aspect of the knowledge, skills, and attributes of the course outcomes. Formative as outlined below.
WRITING - PROCESS - 25%
Planning - 12.5%
Revising & Editing - 12.5%
WRITING - PRODUCT- 45%
Long Form - 25%
Short Form & Alternate Genre - 20%
READING, VIEWING, LISTENING, & ANALYSIS - 20%
AUTHOR, GENRE, & PUBLISHING STUDIES - 10%
Strategies, Tips, & Tricks For Satisfaction & Success
You Should Know...
ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments will appear in PowerSchool as "Collected (ā)" or "Missing (0 / NHI)" within 48 hours of an assignment due date, even assignments granted an extension. .Ā
If an assignment has not been submitted at this time, students and parents will be notified by email.Ā
EXTENSIONS - The only thing asking for an extension does is prevent Mr. Smith from labelling an assignment as "Late" in PowerSchool. Assignments not submitted on time will still be listed as "Missing (0 / NHI)" until they are submitted.Ā
EXEMPTIONS will only be granted after a discussion, ideally in person.Ā
LATE ARRIVALS:
Attendance is taken withing a few minutes of the bell, and then updated once the class has begun to work independently. Do not expect attendance to be adjusted immediately for students arriving late. It will be adjusted prior to the end of the period. Please be patient.Ā
If you do not talk to Mr. Smith at some point during the period after arriving late, you are not present.Ā
Even if your seat is in the front row, DO NOT WALK IN FRONT OF MR. SMITH OR ANY OTHER PRESENTER WHEN ARRIVING LATE. This is a small but important habit that will serve you well in all future workplaces.Ā
LEAVING EARLY:
Mr. Smith does not have the authority to allow you to leave early for any reason (even work) without parent/guardian permission.Ā
To leave early, it must be listed as such in PowerSchool (i.e. your parents / guardians phoned and spoke to the office staff), I must receive confirmation from the office staff, or I must speak to your parents directly.Ā
PARTICIPATION IN CLASS:
I'm going to call on you occasionally during class discussions even if you don't have your hand up. It's perfectly fine to say you're not sure or to decline to comment. I will not think less of you in any way.Ā
If, however, you're on your cell phone during discussions, I'm definitely going to call on you.
How to Succeed In Creative Writing...
The FOUR P's:
Be PRESENT
PUT AWAY THE PHONE
PAY ATTENTION
PARTICIPATE
DO THE READING:
The entirety of this course contains as much reading as the first four to six weeks for the average post-secondary student. This is a great time to develop reading management skills.Ā
Additionally, develop a daily reading habit. Twenty minutes a day of something you enjoy without electronic distractions will go a long way to furthering your critical reading skills.Ā
2. WRITING IS AN ART, AND ART IS A PROCESS:
Failure is part of the process. Sometimes you won't know what doesn't work until you've tried it. This is why you have to plan, complete rough drafts, revise and edit, and sometimes do all that more than once before you have a serviceable final draft.Ā
Beyond that, anything you can do to develop your writing skills will go a long way to developing your critical writing skills.Ā
Write letters to a romantic partner, post reviews online, write to your grandparents, start a Wattpad account and write bad fanfiction, etc.Ā
3. CLASS TIME IS WORKING TIME:
The only true homework I assign is reading. Other than that, you will receive A LOT of work time in class. Use it. Put away the cell phone, save the inappropriate stories for times when the adults are not around (I have excellent hearing), and get the work done in the time you've got.
Advice From Former Students...
"Do your work on time. " (Mentioned by 25 students)
"It sucks to write essays in January on stuff you read in September."
"When stuff is handed in on time, you get great feedback from him."
"The only thing that makes this class hard is procrastination."
"He'll take the work whenever, but don't abuse this."
"Do not procrastinate!!!!!"Ā
"Deadlines are your friend."
"Ask lots of questions. Ask for help. Ask for feedback." (Mentioned by 19 students)
"He is a very critical marker, so be sure to ask for feedback before handing stuff in." (Mentioned by 2 students)
"Revising and editing is the key to good grades on essays."
"Email him when you have questions, even if it's 3:00am."Ā
"Do the work." (Mentioned by 16 students)
"He'll make sure you pass if you do the work."
"The work seems hard, but it's not once you do it."
"He gives you so much time to work. I can't believe how much time I wasted this year."
"Just do the work, it's not as bad as it seems."
"Try your hardest. Your effort will be seen."
"Pay attention." (Mentioned by 13 students)
"Actually pay attention in class. He went over your question already."
"Take notes in class in class. Take notes when you read. Just take notes."
"If you are nice and respectful to him, he will be nice and respectful to you." (Mentioned by 12 students)
"He's an honorable guy but don't make him mad."
"Do the daily grammar." (Mentioned by 6 students)
"Might not like the daily grammar, but it really helped my writing."
"Participate in class." (Mentioned by 5 students)
"This dude is super boring, but he'll talk to you about anything. Get him distracted and you won't have to do any work."
"Getting engaged in the class makes it more fun."
"Audio books are how you will pass this class. If you don't read, listen."Ā
"Sparknotes are a great secondary tool."Ā
"Be kind to those around you."Ā
"Stop gaming until 4:00am."Ā
"Sit with people who are smarter than you."
"Dude likes his poetry. Get used to it."
"Wear sunglasses. Sometimes the shine off his bald head is shocking."
Obscure Classroom Rules:
No relationships. If you and your romantic partner are in this classroom together, you break up as you enter the room. Whether or not you get back together as you exit is not for me to decide.Ā
A single course constitutes approximately one hundred and twenty-five hours, which means your relationship is about a week younger than you think it is. Adjust your anniversaries accordingly.Ā
If you would like to work an EX into your writing, change their name. Mr. Smith does not need to know personal details about students he may encounter later on in his career.
No licking. If you come to class with an ice-cream cone, I expect you to bite it.Ā
No spitting.
No sticky water (i.e. pop, juice, etc.) on Mr. Smithās floors.
No tattooing in class, whether permanent ink, impermanent ink, invisible ink, henna, or any other medium. This includes tattooing on clothing, desks, or skin.Ā
No giving or receiving massages. Plutonic, romantic, or otherwise.Ā
No giving or receiving piercings.
No using books as table, chair, or shelf supports. YOU WILL RESPECT LITERATURE IN THIS COURSE. YES, EVEN BAD LITERATURE.Ā
No parkour.Ā
No sitting on laps. Human, animal, or otherwise.Ā
No discussions of how much of a hipster Shakespeare would be if he was alive today.
No discussions of an authorās poor work habits as a means to justify your own poor work habits.Ā
No multilevel marketing schemes.
With respect to school fundraisers, the first student to ask Mr. Smith is the sole student he will support if the product being sold suits his interests.Ā
No spoilers within fourteen days of a filmās release or one month of a bookās release.
No discussions about how you could have written a better book / poem / screenplay / dramatic script without evidence.Ā Ā Ā
No marriages.Ā
No threatening to ākill yourself,ā ironically or otherwise.Ā
If this is a serious thought, talk to me.
If you tell someone else to ākill themselvesā you will be asked to leave.Ā
No fire.Ā
No cremations. Of people, animals, insects, or anything else.Ā
You make a mess, here or anywhere else, you clean it up.
You may touch Mr. Smith's bald head for luck once per course, though you should know the last student to do so failed English 30...