Welcome to Creative Writing: The Syllabus

Creative Writing

Dr. Moore

kmoore@niskyschools.org

http://niskayuncreativewriting.blogspot.com/

 

 

Welcome to Creative Writing! This course is intended for students who wish to create original poetry, drama, non-fiction, and fiction. We will work on becoming more observant readers, more constructive critics, and writers who are able to use a wide variety of strategies, styles and genres for a wide variety of audiences.

 

In order to make the most of this class, you will need to be open to sharing your work and to offering constructive criticism of the work of your peers. Because this is a workshop class, regular class attendance is imperative.

 

 

Student Expectations:

The course requires that you work diligently over the course of the semester. In order to reach our goals for this year it will be necessary for students to meet the expectations below.

 

• Active class participation in class activities and discussion
• Serious effort (seven to eight hours of work a week)
• Ability to work on long term projects
• Maturity of thought and expression
• Willingness to work both collectively and independently
• Willingness to revise written work
• Willingness to thoroughly complete reading assignments
• Ability to adhere to deadlines
• Ability to listen and learn from constructive criticism

 

Materials:

• A notebook devoted only to English
• An assignment notebook
• A folder or binder devoted to English handouts
• A blue or black pen

A writing folder, which will be kept in the classroom

 

 

Evaluation:

Students will be evaluated on a wide-range of assignments, both individual and collective. Students will be evaluated through tests, writing, discussion, projects, research and presentations.

 

 

Reading Quizzes and Notes Quizzes                                          25-50 pts

Tests                                                                                        100 pts

Major Writing Assignments                                                      100-150 pts

Major Projects                                                                          100-150 pts

Presentations                                                                            50-100 pts.

Homework                                                                                20-50 pts

Participation                                                                             50 pts  

Writing Folder                                                                          10%                                                    

 

• The writing folder is a place for beginnings, in class writings and drafts. At the end of each quarter the writing folder will be assessed for effort, completeness and organization. A comprehensive list of writing folder assignments will be kept in the classroom.

• The final examination will consist of a project worth twenty percent of the student’s final course grade.

• Each quarter grade will be calculated by a point system; the grade will be determined by dividing the number of points the student earned with the number of possible points in the quarter.

• Final school marks will be determined by using quality points.
• The final examination is a requirement for the completion of the class. In order for the exam to be counted as a course requirement, the final exam must demonstrate proficiency.
• Students who fail to complete major writing assignments in the fourth quarter will not be allowed to take the final examination. A grade of zero will be assigned for the final exam grade.

 

 

Policies:

 

• Students who miss 8 class periods will be denied credit for the class, unless they complete a Stage III assignment. Any absence of more than twenty minutes constitutes an absence.
• Students are encouraged to seek extra help; please make an appointment.
• Students may be offered the opportunity to rewrite certain assignments after a conference.
• No late homework will be accepted, unless a student has been absent.
• No assignments will be accepted via email—unless the student has received prior permission from the instructor.
• Ten points will be deducted each school day an assignment is late.
• Tests, presentations and quizzes missed due to absence must be made up within one week. Failure to make up work within one week will result in a zero. All missed quizzes will be available in the English department. It is not necessary to make an appointment.
• Students are expected to follow the guidelines for academic integrity and plagiarism outlined in the Niskayuna Student Handbook. All work a student hands in is expected to be wholly his or her own. If a student consults outside sources, he or she must properly cite his or her work using MLA format. Students are encouraged to consult their teachers, the MLA handbook, the media center, and the Niskayuna Research Guide with any questions. All suspected violations of this policy will be reported to the administration. Students found guilty of academic dishonesty will be subject to failure, reduction of grades and disciplinary action.