Course Overview
Middle School Creative Writing is designed for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who are interested in learning creative writing techniques, engaging in the creation of poetry and short non-fiction, or who want to express themselves creatively through writing.
Creative writing is meant to supplement Middle School English/Expository writing by focusing on the creative aspect of the writing process. In addition, students will be challenged to utilize correct grammatical structure, figurative language, and literary devices that are part of a traditional Middle School English curriculum.
This course includes:
- 7 SECTIONS
- 49 VIDEO LESSONS
- 40 SECTIONS OF NOTES AND EXAMPLES FOR USE WITH WRITING EXERCISES
- 48 PRE-WRITING ACTIVITIES
- 45 REVIEW LESSON VIDEOS
- 5 BLANK COMIC BOOK PAGE TEMPLATES
- 7 SECTION QUIZZES
- 18 WRITTEN RESOURCES/ANSWER GUIDES FOR ALL INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
- 3 VIDEO RESOURCES FOR PARENT/TEACHER
Course Goals:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- identify metaphor, simile, alliteration, hyperbole, and personification, and use figurative language in their own creative and imaginative writing
- correctly structure and punctuate dialogue
- define and identify the elements of plot, and create their own imaginative writing using the elements of plot including inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution
- identify and use basic vocabulary of comic book creation
- correctly write a comic book script
- identify advertising styles
- correctly write an advertisement script
- create an advertisement using one or more advertising styles
- explore topics for personal writing including personal narrative and journals
- write various forms of creative and imaginative literature including poetry, short stories, comic books, advertisements, personal narrative, and personal journaling
- engage in the process of writing: pre-writing, writing a draft, editing and polishing
Target Audience:
This course is intended for Middle School students ranging from 6th through 8th grades.
Course Requirements:
There are no prerequisites for taking this course other than a basic knowledge of reading, storytelling, and writing.
Students will need access to pen and paper or a notebook or a journal if they are interested in writing by hand. Students can also type any of the written pieces.
Coloring supplies may also be used for assignments that can be used as gifts, and for the comic book if students choose to create one from their story and script.
Students will need to record their advertisement. This can easily be done with a phone or webcam.
Course Topics:
Section One Lessons:
Introduction
Figurative Language
Using Simile and Metaphor
Personification
Alliteration/Tongue Twisters
Hyperbole
Showing vs. Telling
Punctuating Dialogue
Letter to Myself
Section Two Lessons:
Personal Poetry: A Poem about Me
Haiku
Cinquain
Limericks
Free Verse Poetry
Concrete Poetry
Section Three Lessons:
Basics of Storytelling
Storytelling Checklist
Mad Libs
Fish Tales
Tall Tales
Newspaper Stories
What If Stories
A Day in the Life
Being a Dream Giver
Creating a Legend
Section Four Lessons:
What is a Comic Book?
Creating a Superhero
Creating a Supervillain
Developing the Story Idea (Plot)
Writing the Story
Editing and Choosing Good Words
Writing the Comic Book Script
Creating the Comic Book
Section Five Lessons:
Creating a Product
Advertising Styles
Writing the Script, Slogan, and Jingle
Practice and Film the Ad
Section Six Lessons:
Halloween: Vampire Diaries
Halloween: Monster Stories
Thanksgiving: Creating a Thank You Poem
Thanksgiving: Turkey Escape
Winter Holidays: Winter Poetry
New Year: Resolution Manifesto
Valentine’s Day: Writing a Poem for a Friend
April Fools: Writing Jokes
Section Seven Lessons:
Personal Narrative and Autobiography
Journal Writing
Resource Guides:
How to Plan Time Video
Simile and Metaphor Answer Guide
Personification Answer Guide
Alliteration Answer Guide
Hyperbole Answer Guide
Showing vs. Telling Answer Guide
Punctuating Dialogue Answer Guide
Section One Quiz Answers
Poetry Answer Guide
Section Two Quiz Answers
Storytelling Answer Guide
Section Three Quiz Answers
Comic Book Guide
Section Four Quiz Answers
Advertisement Guide
Section Five Quiz Answers
Holiday Guide
Section Six Quiz Answers
Section Seven Quiz Answers
Storytelling Checklist Video
How to Help Edit Video