Creative Writing 12
2022 - 2023
Successful completion of this course ensures that you're on your way to graduation.
Instructor: Ms. T. S. Kooy
Phone #: 698-6700 Ext. 42626
Email: [email protected]
Course Description
Creative Writing is an informal lab/workshop and we will employ many real-world types of writing (beyond the usual essay), as well as the conventions of those particular genres, and how to appropriately address an individual’s intended audience in a way that is most effective.
In addition to the major projects, students will write every single day. We will also read, and figure out how to think critically, and how to assess the value of our own writing and the writing of our peers.
We will accomplish this by using the writing process (brainstorming, pre-writing, drafting, editing, revising, publishing) and diving into mini-lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and writing techniques to develop our writing style.
Classroom Materials
* One Writer’s Notebook for class notes, mini-lessons, and individual writing time
* Your email from KPS attached to our Google Classroom
* A writing utensil daily
* A red folder to collect ideas, images, thoughts, and scribbles
* Courage and determination
Required Texts
The Practice of Creative Writing. 2nd ed. Heather Sellers. Bedford St. Martin’s: New York: 2013
Grading
The school grading scale can be found in the online student handbook.
I will grade your writing according to the following criteria:
1. the strength and effectiveness of the writing
2. the extent to which it attempts to meet the particular layout and requirements of the assignment
3. the progress that you have made over the course of the semester
4. the formal correctness of the writing
5. the employment of academic vocabulary included in our learning mini-lessons; show what you know
Always proofread your work and don’t rely on spell check. Grammatical errors, typos, poor spelling, proper formatting for the form you’re writing in, and other basic issues of craft will significantly affect your grade. If you have questions about a craft issue, I am happy to answer them and am available by appointment.* See below under the heading: Questions?
Workshop Etiquette
When it is your work
Before workshop: Give yourself time to complete the assignments. Always proofread and revise your work before you hand it in. Remember, you are handing in early drafts, not ROUGH drafts—the work submitted for class should be error-free. Give us work that you care about. Your commitment should be evident in every line. Don’t ask either the instructor or your classmates to take seriously what you do not. *
During workshop
As a writer, you need to remain silent during the classroom discussion of your story. Take notes. Listen closely. At the end of the conversation you will have the opportunity to make any comments that may occur to you during the discussion and you’ll be given and to ask questions. The point of workshop is that you will take what you have heard and use it to make your next draft better, so take the criticism with the same spirit you would take a mechanic telling you what kind of work your car needs done to it. Maybe not thrilled, but grateful and not personally insulted. *
For those doing the critiquing
When commenting on the work of others, you should treat it as you would like to have your own work treated. You should closely read your peers’ work and be both considerate and critical in your verbal (and written) feedback. Remember that you should be honest about both the strengths and weaknesses of your classmates’ work, but also respectful. Don’t attack a piece; focus on what is working and what can be improved, and always remember you are discussing a work in progress. You may sometimes find yourself making assumptions about the author based on what is in the story, or taking a dislike to the material. This is natural, but when it happens, notice it, and check yourself. Remember, you will get what you give in workshop. *
A few words about presence
In order for this course to be a quality course in preparation for real life: I do not "play school." You will learn this very quickly. Plan on being here. IF you are a student who misses school regularly, I would strongly advise you to choose one or two classmates with whom you call collaborate to get homework and editing credits. The rhythm of the course depends on the participation of ALL of its members. For every day that you are not here, do not expect to get credit, points, or extra time to make up your absence: your absence, your points/grade, your choice. Simple and to the point: we need you here. Consider this “fair warning.” I admire the following description of Professionalism: attendance, promptness, contributions in class, following directions, engaging in literary community, thoughtful questions, courage, growth, positive attitude, etc. Your voice is a vital thread in the fabric of the class and a major part of your grade. Make a point to weigh in thoughtfully, intelligently, kindly, and preparedly when we are discussing the stories, poems, essays, and plays assigned, the chapters assigned, and the work submitted by your colleagues in the class*. From Dr. Squires, a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. I simply cannot state that in a better way!
Phone addicts
I am pretty approachable; if you have a valid reason why you need your phone on a certain day, please communicate that with me.
My day is not going according to plan…
Sometimes we have “terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad days.” I understand this. If you are having one of these days, let me know. You can write me a note, or just take me aside to let me know. Even a quick “thumbs down” sign will do. I am much more understanding when I know that you need some kindness or a break. Just communicate what you need and I will do my utmost to help you. Promise. If my door is open during the day, please come in. If not, I’m likely meeting with someone, and won’t be available to help you.
Shoot, my assignment is late!
Hand in each assignment on time, when it is due. Late work will earn 50% of the assignment’s point value, or alternatively, it will not be assessed. I reserve the right to determine if your work is too late to be assessed. If you miss a day for school reasons, that work should be collected the day before you are going to miss. If you have an unexcused absence in the online grade book, you will not be permitted to make up any of the work due or handed out on that day. If you are excused, then you have the number of days you were absent to make up that work. For further explanation please see Student Policies in your student handbook.
Questions?
Any questions? Here are some opportunities should the need arise for communication outside of class. Remember that this is YOUR education that we are working on here, so ensure that you are doing all that you have to do to be a success.
Many, many thanks to Dr. Squires, a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and my colleagues here at EK who made their course syllabi public and shared them with me. I liberally borrowed much of the class ideology and expectations from their work.
Successful completion of this course ensures that you're on your way to graduation.
Instructor: Ms. T. S. Kooy
Phone #: 698-6700 Ext. 42626
Email: [email protected]
Course Description
Creative Writing is an informal lab/workshop and we will employ many real-world types of writing (beyond the usual essay), as well as the conventions of those particular genres, and how to appropriately address an individual’s intended audience in a way that is most effective.
In addition to the major projects, students will write every single day. We will also read, and figure out how to think critically, and how to assess the value of our own writing and the writing of our peers.
We will accomplish this by using the writing process (brainstorming, pre-writing, drafting, editing, revising, publishing) and diving into mini-lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and writing techniques to develop our writing style.
Classroom Materials
* One Writer’s Notebook for class notes, mini-lessons, and individual writing time
* Your email from KPS attached to our Google Classroom
* A writing utensil daily
* A red folder to collect ideas, images, thoughts, and scribbles
* Courage and determination
Required Texts
The Practice of Creative Writing. 2nd ed. Heather Sellers. Bedford St. Martin’s: New York: 2013
Grading
The school grading scale can be found in the online student handbook.
I will grade your writing according to the following criteria:
1. the strength and effectiveness of the writing
2. the extent to which it attempts to meet the particular layout and requirements of the assignment
3. the progress that you have made over the course of the semester
4. the formal correctness of the writing
5. the employment of academic vocabulary included in our learning mini-lessons; show what you know
Always proofread your work and don’t rely on spell check. Grammatical errors, typos, poor spelling, proper formatting for the form you’re writing in, and other basic issues of craft will significantly affect your grade. If you have questions about a craft issue, I am happy to answer them and am available by appointment.* See below under the heading: Questions?
Workshop Etiquette
When it is your work
Before workshop: Give yourself time to complete the assignments. Always proofread and revise your work before you hand it in. Remember, you are handing in early drafts, not ROUGH drafts—the work submitted for class should be error-free. Give us work that you care about. Your commitment should be evident in every line. Don’t ask either the instructor or your classmates to take seriously what you do not. *
During workshop
As a writer, you need to remain silent during the classroom discussion of your story. Take notes. Listen closely. At the end of the conversation you will have the opportunity to make any comments that may occur to you during the discussion and you’ll be given and to ask questions. The point of workshop is that you will take what you have heard and use it to make your next draft better, so take the criticism with the same spirit you would take a mechanic telling you what kind of work your car needs done to it. Maybe not thrilled, but grateful and not personally insulted. *
For those doing the critiquing
When commenting on the work of others, you should treat it as you would like to have your own work treated. You should closely read your peers’ work and be both considerate and critical in your verbal (and written) feedback. Remember that you should be honest about both the strengths and weaknesses of your classmates’ work, but also respectful. Don’t attack a piece; focus on what is working and what can be improved, and always remember you are discussing a work in progress. You may sometimes find yourself making assumptions about the author based on what is in the story, or taking a dislike to the material. This is natural, but when it happens, notice it, and check yourself. Remember, you will get what you give in workshop. *
A few words about presence
In order for this course to be a quality course in preparation for real life: I do not "play school." You will learn this very quickly. Plan on being here. IF you are a student who misses school regularly, I would strongly advise you to choose one or two classmates with whom you call collaborate to get homework and editing credits. The rhythm of the course depends on the participation of ALL of its members. For every day that you are not here, do not expect to get credit, points, or extra time to make up your absence: your absence, your points/grade, your choice. Simple and to the point: we need you here. Consider this “fair warning.” I admire the following description of Professionalism: attendance, promptness, contributions in class, following directions, engaging in literary community, thoughtful questions, courage, growth, positive attitude, etc. Your voice is a vital thread in the fabric of the class and a major part of your grade. Make a point to weigh in thoughtfully, intelligently, kindly, and preparedly when we are discussing the stories, poems, essays, and plays assigned, the chapters assigned, and the work submitted by your colleagues in the class*. From Dr. Squires, a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. I simply cannot state that in a better way!
Phone addicts
I am pretty approachable; if you have a valid reason why you need your phone on a certain day, please communicate that with me.
My day is not going according to plan…
Sometimes we have “terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad days.” I understand this. If you are having one of these days, let me know. You can write me a note, or just take me aside to let me know. Even a quick “thumbs down” sign will do. I am much more understanding when I know that you need some kindness or a break. Just communicate what you need and I will do my utmost to help you. Promise. If my door is open during the day, please come in. If not, I’m likely meeting with someone, and won’t be available to help you.
Shoot, my assignment is late!
Hand in each assignment on time, when it is due. Late work will earn 50% of the assignment’s point value, or alternatively, it will not be assessed. I reserve the right to determine if your work is too late to be assessed. If you miss a day for school reasons, that work should be collected the day before you are going to miss. If you have an unexcused absence in the online grade book, you will not be permitted to make up any of the work due or handed out on that day. If you are excused, then you have the number of days you were absent to make up that work. For further explanation please see Student Policies in your student handbook.
Questions?
Any questions? Here are some opportunities should the need arise for communication outside of class. Remember that this is YOUR education that we are working on here, so ensure that you are doing all that you have to do to be a success.
- "Let's Lunch!" I'm happy to have lunch with you - let me know if your day sucks and you can just join me to get away from it all. I'm happy to chat with you about class, grades, wonderings, etc. during that time, or if you just need some peace and quiet and refuge, please join me.
- Feel free to write me a memo. Place it in my mailbox in class, and I’ll return it to you in your mailbox in class. This is the best way for us to address questions that you’d rather not talk about in class. On that note, should you need to discuss your grade, that is done solely via memo. You can find a memo in front by our Turn In boxes. If you don't see them, pop over and let me know you need one.
- Email me at my KPS email.
- Please feel free to drop by my room any time that my door is open. If my door is not open, I am likely coaching and working with a teacher or a group of teachers. Write a note on my whiteboard, or slip a note under the door.
Many, many thanks to Dr. Squires, a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and my colleagues here at EK who made their course syllabi public and shared them with me. I liberally borrowed much of the class ideology and expectations from their work.