- Share full article
Advertisement
Supported by
Our 2020-21 Writing Curriculum for Middle and High School
A flexible, seven-unit program based on the real-world writing found in newspapers, from editorials and reviews to personal narratives and informational essays.
Update, Aug. 3, 2023: Find our 2023-24 writing curriculum here.
Our 2019-20 Writing Curriculum is one of the most popular new features we’ve ever run on this site, so, of course, we’re back with a 2020-21 version — one we hope is useful whether you’re teaching in person , online , indoors , outdoors , in a pod , as a homeschool , or in some hybrid of a few of these.
The curriculum detailed below is both a road map for teachers and an invitation to students. For teachers, it includes our writing prompts, mentor texts, contests and lesson plans, and organizes them all into seven distinct units. Each focuses on a different genre of writing that you can find not just in The Times but also in all kinds of real-world sources both in print and online.
But for students, our main goal is to show young people they have something valuable to say, and to give those voices a global audience. That’s always been a pillar of our site, but this year it is even more critical. The events of 2020 will define this generation, and many are living through them isolated from their ordinary communities, rituals and supports. Though a writing curriculum can hardly make up for that, we hope that it can at least offer teenagers a creative outlet for making sense of their experiences, and an enthusiastic audience for the results. Through the opportunities for publication woven throughout each unit, we want to encourage students to go beyond simply being media consumers to become creators and contributors themselves.
So have a look, and see if you can find a way to include any of these opportunities in your curriculum this year, whether to help students document their lives, tell stories, express opinions, investigate ideas, or analyze culture. We can’t wait to hear what your students have to say!
Each unit includes:
Writing prompts to help students try out related skills in a “low stakes” way.
We publish two writing prompts every school day, and we also have thematic collections of more than 1,000 prompts published in the past. Your students might consider responding to these prompts on our site and using our public forums as a kind of “rehearsal space” for practicing voice and technique.
Daily opportunities to practice writing for an authentic audience.
If a student submits a comment on our site, it will be read by Times editors, who approve each one before it gets published. Submitting a comment also gives students an audience of fellow teenagers from around the world who might read and respond to their work. Each week, we call out our favorite comments and honor dozens of students by name in our Thursday “ Current Events Conversation ” feature.
Guided practice with mentor texts .
Each unit we publish features guided practice lessons, written directly to students, that help them observe, understand and practice the kinds of “craft moves” that make different genres of writing sing. From how to “show not tell” in narratives to how to express critical opinions , quote or paraphrase experts or craft scripts for podcasts , we have used the work of both Times journalists and the teenage winners of our contests to show students techniques they can emulate.
“Annotated by the Author” commentaries from Times writers — and teenagers.
As part of our Mentor Texts series , we’ve been asking Times journalists from desks across the newsroom to annotate their articles to let students in on their writing, research and editing processes, and we’ll be adding more for each unit this year. Whether it’s Science writer Nicholas St. Fleur on tiny tyrannosaurs , Opinion writer Aisha Harris on the cultural canon , or The Times’s comics-industry reporter, George Gene Gustines, on comic books that celebrate pride , the idea is to demystify journalism for teenagers. This year, we’ll be inviting student winners of our contests to annotate their work as well.
A contest that can act as a culminating project .
Over the years we’ve heard from many teachers that our contests serve as final projects in their classes, and this curriculum came about in large part because we want to help teachers “plan backwards” to support those projects.
All contest entries are considered by experts, whether Times journalists, outside educators from partner organizations, or professional practitioners in a related field. Winning means being published on our site, and, perhaps, in the print edition of The New York Times.
Webinars and our new professional learning community (P.L.C.).
For each of the seven units in this curriculum, we host a webinar featuring Learning Network editors as well as teachers who use The Times in their classrooms. Our webinars introduce participants to our many resources and provide practical how-to’s on how to use our prompts, mentor texts and contests in the classroom.
New for this school year, we also invite teachers to join our P.L.C. on teaching writing with The Times , where educators can share resources, strategies and inspiration about teaching with these units.
Below are the seven units we will offer in the 2020-21 school year.
September-October
Unit 1: Documenting Teenage Lives in Extraordinary Times
This special unit acknowledges both the tumultuous events of 2020 and their outsized impact on young people — and invites teenagers to respond creatively. How can they add their voices to our understanding of what this historic year will mean for their generation?
We are having trouble retrieving the article content.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in .
Want all of The Times? Subscribe .
- All Resources
- Growing up & Staying Safe
- Physical Education
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Asian American History
- Black History
- Hispanic Heritage
- Anti-racism
- Hidden Voices
- Civic Education
- Four Pillars for Building Trust in New York City Public Schools
- Citywide Instructional Priority
- Career Connected Learning
- Our Instructional Principles Learn about how we will transform our system through the integration of academic and social-emotional learning, and establish a new path to academic recovery and reimagining.
- Instructional Practices Learn about instructional practices that support student achievement.
- Instructional Leadership Framework Learn about implementing the Instructional Leadership Framework in schools.
- Supporting New Teachers Learn about the key beliefs, knowledge, and skills for first year teachers.
- Professional Learning Learn about different ways to support professional learning in schools.
- Civics for All
- Vision for School Improvement Learn about how to embed the Framework for Great Schools into ongoing cycles of learning.
Grades 6-8: Educating Powerful Writers
Grades 6-8 Educating Powerful Writers is a complete writing curriculum. There are 7-8 distinct units per grade which include outlines of daily lessons, mentor writing texts for each unit, guidance for assessment, sample handouts, and sample lesson plans. Educating Powerful Writers is a spiraled curriculum that takes students through narrative, informative, argumentative, literary essay, and poetry writing each year. Each grade offers a distinctly different unit in each of these genres while continuing to build on the skills developed in previous grades to continue educating powerful writers. Additional materials, including student work, will be added to this collection on a rolling basis.
Included Resources
Sample student work: educating powerful write..., sample student work: educating powerful writers.
Sample student work to be utilized with Grades 6-8 : Educating Powerful Writers Middle School writing curriculum.
Grade 6,units 1- 4: Educating Powerful Writer...
Grade 6,units 1- 4: educating ..., grade 6,units 1- 4: educating powerful writers.
Grade 6, Units 1-4 of the middle school writing curriculum, Educating Powerful Writers: The NYCDOE Middle School Writing Scope and Sequence . This curriculum provides explicit units for writing instruction, mentor texts for each unit, self-assessment checklists for students, a full introduction to support the recommended instructional practices within the curriculum, and supporting materials and handouts for students.
Grade 6, units 5-8: Educating Powerful Writer...
Grade 6, units 5-8: educating ..., grade 6, units 5-8: educating powerful writers.
Grade 6, Units 5-8 of the middle school writing curriculum, Educating Powerful Writers: The NYCDOE Middle School Writing Scope and Sequence . This curriculum provides explicit units for writing instruction, mentor texts for each unit, self-assessment checklists for students, a full introduction to support the recommended instructional practices within the curriculum, and supporting materials and handouts for students.
Grade 7, units 1-3: Educating Powerful Writer...
Grade 7, units 1-3: educating ..., grade 7, units 1-3: educating powerful writers.
Grade 7, Units 1-3 of the middle school writing curriculum, Educating Powerful Writers: The NYCDOE Middle School Writing Scope and Sequence . This curriculum provides explicit units for writing instruction, mentor texts for each unit, self-assessment checklists for students, a full introduction to support the recommended instructional practices within the curriculum, and supporting materials and handouts for students.
Grade 7, units 4-8: Educating Powerful Writer...
Grade 7, units 4-8: educating ..., grade 7, units 4-8: educating powerful writers.
Grade 7, Units 4-8 of the middle school writing curriculum, Educating Powerful Writers: The NYCDOE Middle School Writing Scope and Sequence . This curriculum provides explicit units for writing instruction, mentor texts for each unit, self-assessment checklists for students, a full introduction to support the recommended instructional practices within the curriculum, and supporting materials and handouts for students.
Grade 8, units 1-8: Educating Powerful Writer...
Grade 8, units 1-8: educating ..., grade 8, units 1-8: educating powerful writers.
Grade 8, Units 1-8 of the middle school writing curriculum, Educating Powerful Writers: The NYCDOE Middle School Writing Scope and Sequence . This curriculum provides explicit units for writing instruction, mentor texts for each unit, self-assessment checklists for students, a full introduction to support the recommended instructional practices within the curriculum, and supporting materials and handouts for students.
In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask that you confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Jump to: Lesson Plans , Student Workbooks , Classroom Kits , Pep Talks , Brave the Page , Events , Sponsored Resources
Lesson Plans
Our complete curricula will guide your class through its entire noveling journey, with Common Core-aligned lesson plans from prewriting to publishing.
Choose your grade level below:
- High School (9-12) Curriculum
- Middle School (6-8) Curriculum
- Upper Elementary (3-5) Curriculum
- Lower Elementary (K-2) Curriculum
Student Workbooks
Our workbooks help students create characters, build settings, and hatch plots.
Middle & High School (updated 2021)
- Download free PDF
- Work in Google Docs
- Purchase book
- Download free Spanish language PDF
Elementary School (updated 2021)
- Download free PDF
Classroom Kits
We offer a free motivational classroom kit to educators facilitating NaNoWriMo. It includes a progress chart, creative writing poster, and stickers. Sign up for an educator account to claim your free kit this fall!
Pep talks are inspirational letters written by well-known authors during NaNoWriMo. Look for them in Breaking News throughout the month of November, and find past favorites on the Pep Talks page.
Brave the Page
The official NaNoWriMo handbook that inspires young people to tackle audacious goals and complete their creative projects.
Partly a how-to guide on the nitty-gritty of writing, partly a collection of inspiration to set (and meet) ambitious goals, Brave the Page is the go-to resource for middle-grade writers. Narrated in a fun, refreshingly kid-friendly voice, it champions NaNoWriMo’s central mission that everyone ‘s stories deserve to be told. The volume includes chapters on character, plot, setting, and the like; motivating essays from popular authors; advice on how to commit to your goals; a detailed plan for writing a novel or story in a month; and more.
From our Kirkus Reviews starred review : "Though specifically targeting young writers, this upbeat handbook is a wonderful instruction guide for writers of any age as well as a perfect text for any creative-writing classroom."
Order your copy (and support our non-profit)!
Write all year round with NaNoWriMo. Check out what's happening now!
Some annual events: NaNo Prep in October, National Novel Writing Month in November, "Now What?" in January and February, Camp NaNoWriMo in April and July, and our Summer Writing Program . Learn more about year-round writing .
To see what time an event starts in your time zone , click into the event, then click "copy to my calendar".
Sponsored Resources
IngramSpark is an award-winning publishing platform, offering indie authors and publishers the ability to create professional print books and ebooks. Focus on what you do best—writing creative stories—while we do the rest: print, ship, and distribute. Take me to IngramSpark!
Sign up to see everything NaNoWriMo has to offer!
- HELP & FAQ
- CONTACT US
- TERMS & CONDITIONS
- PRIVACY POLICY
- CODES OF CONDUCT
A PROGRAM OF NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH, A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT THAT BELIEVES YOUR STORY MATTERS.
Subject Explorer
School Subjects
Math & Science
Business & Technology
Electives & Health
Board & Administration
Teaching & Learning
Audio/Video Lectures
Books & Documents
Classifieds
Jobs & Resources
Discussions
Language & Literature
Creative Writing in the Middle School Classroom
Once upon a time . . . and they all lived happily ever after.
Creative writing that uses phrases like these shows up often in elementary writing. Once a student enters middle school, inventive writing often gets pushed aside. According to recent research, however, creative writing still offers benefits for the student beyond sixth grade.
Researcher Marissa Despins states that creative expression allows students to be able to voice emotions and build confidence. Non-academic writing also gives the writers the opportunity for thinking imaginatively, a skill that can be used for problem solving in all sorts of life areas. Even though creative writing has fewer restrictions than academic writing, it can still allow students to build writing skills, such as using new vocabulary, forming varied sentences, and finding their voice. Additionally, the skill of creative writing can also allow older writers to entertain, clarify thinking, and simply learn to read and write (Essex).
Sometimes instructors find teaching creative writing difficult. What topics do you assign? What steps of the writing process do you require? How do you grade creative pieces? Typically, creative writing works best when the writer goes through the basic writing process of planning, drafting, editing, and publishing. But the parameters might be more lenient than those for an academic writing project. For example, planning might consist of drawing a picture of the setting of a story. Or publishing might mean handwriting a poem in script to hang on the wall. Grading is easiest with a set rubric given at the beginning of the assignment. This might include categories such as “time spent on project,” “details given about characters/setting,” and “use of images.” Typically, word count is not an important factor in grading creative assignments.
Topics for creative writing can extend well beyond the typical writing assignment. Students can be allowed to choose their topics, but often they request some suggestions. Here are a few suggested topics for different genres of creative writing.
- Poetry: Write an abecedarian poem. This is a poem where each line begins with the next sequential letter of the alphabet. The poem does not need to rhyme (although it can), and sentences can continue through several lines. Brian Bilston wrote “An Attempt To Write an Abecedarian Poem In Praise of the Dictionary”; the first lines read,
“An unfaltering ability Bring clarity to the English language Constitutes your Defining quality.”
(You can read the entire poem here .) This type of poem is one that works well to display for other students to read; the poet may also want to illustrate the poem.
- Devotional: While this might be a more informative writing, devotionals provide a strong creative opportunity. Typical guidelines might include to choose a topic and find a Scripture passage that corresponds. Then write two to three paragraphs that tell a story that illustrates the passage. End with a paragraph that explains the point being made. This writing works well to be published in a booklet including the class’s responses–students can use this booklet for an actual devotional time.
- Bible story script: The student can choose a narrative Bible passage and write it in the form of dialogue. Include stage directions and small props. Make sure that the character amount and extras do not exceed what the class can produce, and publish by acting the script as a class project. For this one, the teacher might want to approve topic choices before the student proceeds to make sure that they are class appropriate (e.g. avoid violence and romance).
- Characters: a chef, an artist, a mechanic, a farmer, an archaeologist, a mother, a deep-sea diver, a mountain climber
- Setting: Antarctica, a desert, an inner city, a field, a bookstore, a warehouse, a train, a rocket
- Object: paintbrush, road sign, globe, flower pot, pickup truck, icebreaker ship, shovel, vine
- Conflict: thunderstorm, being chased by a dog, the electricity goes out, lack of water to drink, a broken arm, a displeased customer, a falling brick, a screaming child
Works Cited
Despins, Marissa. “Benefits of Creative Writing in Middle School.” ELA Matters . 30 Nov. 2022. https://elamatters.com/2022/11/08/benefits-of-creative-writing-in-middle-school/. Accessed 20 Dec. 2023.
Essex, Christopher. “Teaching Creative Writing in the Elementary School.” ERIC Digest. ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication. https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/writing/articles/teaching-creative-writing. Accessed 20 Dec. 2023.
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
Categories:
Pass it on:
Related Items
Leave a reply.
Mater Middle
Mater Performing Arts
Knowles, Ashley
creative writing for middle school
All Formats
Resource types, all resource types.
- Rating Count
- Price (Ascending)
- Price (Descending)
- Most Recent
Creative writing for middle school
Creative Writing Unit Prompts Activities & Projects for Middle + High School
Creative Writing Prompts with Art Inferences | Middle & High School
Middle School Creative Writing Bundle- 5th, 6th, 7th Grade
Creative Writing Bundle for Middle School and High School Writers
Dystopian Fiction Creative Writing Project Bundle for Middle and High School
Drama Lesson Costume Design Super Heroes Middle School Plus Creative Writing
Storytelling with Rubrics | Middle School Writing | Creative Writing
Creative Writing Vignette Writing Project Middle and High School English
Creative Writing Poetry Complete Unit - Middle /High School - 4 Weeks - EDITABLE
Harris Burdick Creative Writing Rubric - Simple Easy Middle School 6 7 8 9
Characterization and Character Analysis | Middle School Creative Writing
Middle School Creative Writing (Short Story) and Narrative Writing Unit Bundle!
Creative Writing Prompts - Middle School Activities Choice Board Fun Bingo Game
Fun Creative Writing Poetry Packet for Elementary/ Middle School with Rubrics
Creative Writing Middle School High School - Using Classic Texts as Mentors
Creative Writing Bundle; High School and Middle School Creative Writing
50 Days Creative Writing Narrative Prompts Middle & High School Writers Notebook
Spooky Story Writing for Middle School : 6 Week Creative Writing Unit
Fun and Unique Middle School Creative Writing Worksheets
Fifty Creative Writing Story Starters for Middle and High School
Fan Fiction Creative Writing Project Bundle | Middle and High School ELA Unit
FREE Middle School Creative Writing Prompts Task Cards | 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade
Story Writing Bundle of Creative Writing Resources for Middle School
Creative Writing Bundle of Resources for Middle School
- We're hiring
- Help & FAQ
- Privacy policy
- Student privacy
- Terms of service
- Tell us what you think
Our Favorite Creative Writing Curriculum
You guys. Next year my daughter will be in 9th grade. Do you know what that means? Yep. High School.
As a relaxed homeschooler who teeters on the verge of unschooling, the idea of earning credits and completing an entire curriculum has me shaking in my boots. Long gone are my days of “winging it” and letting the weeks slip by without touching our curriculum. Now, I must keep track of credits and plan ahead to ensure my daughter completes everything needed in order to attend college.
When I sat my daughter down and started discussing which classes she’d take, she had only one request: a creative writing curriculum. As a blogger, I’ve always loved writing, so I was giddy at her request. But even after all of the creative writing classes I’ve taken, I still don’t really know how to teach creative writing. So I set out to find a curriculum that would take the guesswork out of it.
This post is sponsored by WriteShop. I received the products for free & was compensated for my time. All opinions are 100% my own.
Going from relaxed homeschoolers to “semi-strict, gotta-get-this-done homeschoolers” is a huge change. My daughter isn’t the only one who is struggling with the thought of it. I knew there were several creative writing curriculum options on the market and I hoped and prayed that one of them would help us with the transition.
I had a few things that I really wanted included in our creative writing curriculum and I wasn’t willing to budge on them.
- We didn’t want a dry and boring curriculum that would make my daughter despise writing.
- I wanted something that brought her out of her shell and helped her feel more confident in her writing.
- There were dreams of a curriculum that didn’t require me to spend hours prepping and teaching. It needed to take out all the guesswork and clearly lay out all expectations for her.
- I still needed flexibility, as my other kids are still relaxed, almost-unschoolers . A rigorous schedule would interfere in life’s natural learning process.
Lucky for me, I found all of these things wrapped up in WriteShop I.
A Creative Writing Curriculum That Sparks Imagination
With WriteShop I, we opted to take the 2 year path so we could enjoy some flexibility in our writing. Each lesson takes 2 weeks to complete so there’s no need to rush through the information. Each concept is presented and built upon until the idea becomes second natural to the student.
In each lesson, kids will work through a series of hands-on activities to help them thoroughly understand each concept:
Pre-writing activity:.
Activities that are designed to build skills, help kids understand the introduced concepts and help them feel more comfortable with new ideas.
Brainstorm & Write a Practice Paragraph:
Students will brainstorm for the upcoming assignment and construct a practice paragraph.
Jot Down a Sloppy Copy:
The sloppy copy is a great way to help kids focus on getting their pencil on paper and not worry about grammar, spelling and other details. They organize their ideas into paragraphs and add more details and information.
First Revision:
Give the kids a chance to edit their own work before you dive into it. This will put the responsibility back on the writer to find and correct mistakes.
Teacher/Parenting Edit:
Using the Teacher Checklist, editing writing has never been so easy! Simply go through the steps and make suggestions as the list suggests. You want in on a secret? Us mamas don’t have to be a word-lover to be able to edit your child’s papers. You just need the perfect creative writing curriculum. ( Hint: this is it!!! )
WriteShop also stole my heart when I found the “Addressing Errors Lesson by Lesson” section of my teacher’s manual. WOWZA! It addresses every single issue I’ve ever came across and it offers solutions to help your child become a better writer.
Final Draft:
Students will create a final draft based on the edits and suggestions of the teacher. They’ll learn new concepts and key points to becoming a better essay writer through each lesson. They’ll even be proud to show off their compositions!
Teaching with a Creative Writing Curriculum that Covers It All
If you’re anything like me, you are struggling to find the perfect creative writing curriculum. But teaching creative writing doesn’t have to be scary or hard. I kid you not when I say that WriteShop has outdone themselves. I’ve seen plenty of curriculum and I’ve never laid eyes on a Teacher’s Manual that covers everything as completely and thoroughly as WriteShop has done. The sections it covers takes the guesswork out of teaching and editing your students’ work. Each section is neatly organized and streamlined with only the most vital information.
Sections include:
Lesson Plans
Editing & Evaluating
Positive & Encouraging Comments
Addressing Errors Lesson by Lesson
Common Problems of Mechanics
Student Writing Samples
Skill Builder Keys
Pre-Writing & Lesson Activity Keys
Appendix A: Handy References
Appendix B: Supplemental Activities
Seriously! Have you ever seen anything so thorough? I love the fact that the folks at WriteShop want to make sure ALL of the bases are covered. They’ve thought of the issues I’ve faced, long before I’ve faced them. And even better, they’re ready and waiting with a solution right at my fingertips!
If you’re looking for a comprehensive creative writing curriculum that won’t break the bank, you do NOT want to miss WriteShop! Down to the last details, they’ve gone above and beyond to make it easier for you and your child to fall in love for writing.
Want More From WriteShop?
Grab a free gift.
You don’t want to miss this bundle! It includes a total of 480 writing and essay prompts to inspire both elementary and teen students for an entire calendar year! You get two different products with a total value of $7.00.
Print the prompts in your choice of three formats: calendars, cards, or strips. Only available for a limited time.
Grab their “Journal All Year!” Elementary Writing Prompt Calendar Scoop up the “Journal All Year!” Teen Writing Prompt Calendar
Get Social with WriteShop!
Request a catalog, check out samples, more from my site.
Share this:
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
- Click to print (Opens in new window)
The Homeschool Writing Curriculum
That grows with you.
1 MINUTE TO YOUR PERFECT LEVEL
EXPLORE OUR PRODUCTS
WriteShop Primary
WriteShop Junior
WriteShop I & II
Parents Love WriteShop!
Quality, parent-approved writing resources, award-winning.
Chris, using WriteShop Primary Book A
Levi has really enjoyed this program. It has taken the pressure off of him to read and write, and just allowed him to be creative … Our kindergarten year has been a pretty rough start up to the last couple of months. But WriteShop has really changed things at our house!
Ashley, using WriteShop I
My 13 yo has gone from tears over more than 2 sentences to beautiful paragraphs in the year and a half that we’ve been using Write Shop.
Heily, using WriteShop I
Thank you very much for creating Write Shop! It has been a pleasure to teach this curriculum and the results are phenomenal. Our son went from hating writing to asking for more!
Dena, using WriteShop I
WriteShop has been a wonderful program for us. I don’t think my dyslexic daughter would have ever learned to write without it!
Nikki, using WriteShop Primary Book C
You know this is a good product when your reluctant writer asks, “Mom, when are we going to write another story?” My son has always struggled with writing. Because of Write Shop, my son has enjoyed writing creative stories, and I am tearing up as I type this.
Zandra, using WriteShop II
Somehow the words fun and writing have become connected, ever since we started using WriteShop. That, along with the progress I’m seeing in my students’ writing, is the highest recommendation I can give.
- Future Students
- Parents/Families
- Alumni/Friends
- Current Students
- Faculty/Staff
- MyOHIO Student Center
- Visit Athens Campus
- Regional Campuses
- OHIO Online
- Faculty/Staff Directory
College of Arts and Sciences
- Awards & Accomplishments
- Communications
- Mission and Vision
- News and Events
- Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
- A&S Support Team
- Faculty Affairs
- Human Resources
- Promotion & Tenure
- Centers & Institutes
- Faculty Labs
- Undergraduate Research
- Environmental Majors
- Pre-Law Majors
- Pre-Med, Pre-Health Majors
- Find an Internship. Get a Job.
- Honors Programs & Pathways
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities
- Undergraduate Advising & Student Affairs
- Online Degrees & Certificates
- Ph.D. Programs
- Master's Degrees
- Certificates
- Graduate Forms
- Thesis & Dissertation
- Departments
- Alumni Awards
- Giving Opportunities
- Dean's Office
- Department Chairs & Contacts
- Faculty Directory
- Staff Directory
- Undergraduate Advising & Student Affairs Directory
Helpful Links
Navigate OHIO
Connect With Us
English—Creative Writing Major B.A.
- Apprenticeship and internship opportunities
- Workshops with renowned authors
- Preparation for M.A. or M.F.A. programs in Creative Writing or Law School
- Preparation for careers in publishing, digital publishing, business, marketing, newspaper and magazines, government, and more
- Sphere , a literary journal run by and for undergraduates
Faculty contact: Dr. Carey Snyder
Admission Information
Degree requirements.
Major code: BA5232
The Creative Writing program offers students a range of beginning, intermediate, and advanced workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Undergraduate Creative Writing majors will take three writing workshops of their choice, in addition to a Form & Theory course. Creative Writing majors, working closely with a distinguished core faculty of professional writers, can enrich their background in literature provided by the English major curriculum with a rigorous apprenticeship to their craft.
In addition, the program regularly invites writers to campus for residency, workshops, and readings. Each year, five eminent authors are invited to participate in the three-day Spring Literary Festival. These visits provide a unique complement to the student's workshop experience.
Many undergraduates publish their writing in Sphere (the undergraduate literary magazine), while others gain valuable editing experience. Undergraduate writers regularly organize formal and informal readings of their own work.
Undergraduate Creative Writing students have gone on to further study in M.F.A. and/or Ph.D. programs in Creative Writing. Many have gone on to publish their work.
Program Overview
In the English – Creative Writing major, students engage with genres of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from the inside out, by generating and revising their own work as well as exploring closely how published work uses the techniques of craft.
All creative writing students participate in workshops led by nationally recognized writers which focus on understanding and constructing different literary forms; to achieve these goals, workshops emphasize the study of texts by established writers as well as students’ experimentation with their own creative process. The major is also flexible enough to match your own interests and goals: students can fulfill up to 12 of the required hours in the major with courses focusing on literature, rhetoric, or literary theory, or by combining these with apprenticeship or internship experiences.
To ensure a solid foundation in the skills and knowledge that employers and graduate schools expect from any English graduate, the English – Creative Writing major includes the English Core in analysis, research, and literary history.
Careers and Graduate School
After a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and analytical reading as well as multiple genres of writing, English – Creative Writing students enjoy the same wide variety of opportunity upon graduation that other English majors have.
Many of our graduates go on to graduate programs, not only M.A. or M.F.A. programs in Creative Writing but also programs in information science, education or law. Others work in publishing, web content development, grant-writing and community organizing, advertising, or other creative industries. Having invested in developing their own creativity as well as in the well-rounded education that this degree requires, English – Creative Writing students can face the unexpected challenges of the 21 st -century job market with confidence.
Potential employers for those who hold a degree in Creative Writing include, but are certainly not limited to, newspaper and magazine organizations, the entertainment industry, government agencies, institutions of higher education, public and private K-12 schools, publishing companies, marketing agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, etc.
Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake , OHIO's key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.
Freshman/First-Year Admission: Enrollment in an English major entails no requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change of Program Policy: For students currently enrolled at Ohio University, transferring into an English major requires a 2.0 GPA. Students choosing to transfer into the English – Creative Writing major should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the English department for assistance. Students who wish to add an English major in addition to another major program should seek assistance from the director of undergraduate studies; students with a second major outside the College of Arts and Sciences will be responsible for meeting the degree requirements of both the English – Creative Writing major and the College of Arts and Sciences.
External Transfer Admission: For students currently enrolled at institutions other than Ohio University, transferring into an English major entails no requirements beyond University admission requirements. Students should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the English Department for assistance.
- Major code BA5232
University-wide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement
View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.
English Hours Requirement
For a B.A. degree with a major in English - Creative Writing , a student must complete a total of 42 semester credit hours in ENG coursework.
Intercultural Foundations
Complete the following course:
- ENG 1100 - Crossing Cultures with Text Credit Hours: 3
Literary Reading
Complete one of the following courses:
- ENG 2010 - Introduction to Prose Fiction and Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 2020 - Introduction to Poetry and Drama Credit Hours: 3
British or American Literature I
- ENG 2510 - British Literature I Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 2530 - American Literature I Credit Hours: 3
British or American Literature II
- ENG 2520 - British Literature II Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 2540 - American Literature II Credit Hours: 3
Intercultural Breadth
Complete one course from the following:
- ENG 3240 - Jewish American Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3250 - Women’s Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3260 - Queer Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3270 - Queer Rhetorics and Writing Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3370 - Black Literature to 1930 Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3380 - Ethnic American Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3390 - Black Literature from 1930 to the Present Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3450 - Intercultural Adaptations Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3550 - Global Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3850 - Writing About Culture and Society Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4660 - International Authors Credit Hours: 3
Writing and Research
- ENG 3070J - Writing and Research in English Studies Credit Hours: 3
Senior Seminar
- ENG 4600 - Topics in English Studies Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4640 - British Authors Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4650 - American Authors Credit Hours: 3
Creative Writing Workshops
Complete three of the following workshops with at least one intermediate or advanced workshop:
- ENG 3610 - Creative Writing: Fiction Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3620 - Creative Writing: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3630 - Creative Writing: Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3
Intermediate:
- ENG 3950 - Creative Writing Workshop: Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3960 - Creative Writing Workshop: Short Story Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3970 - Intermediate Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4860 - Advanced Workshop in Fiction Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4870 - Advanced Workshop in Poetry Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4880 - Advanced Workshop in Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3
Creative Writing Form and Theory
- ENG 4810 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Fiction Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4820 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Poetry Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4830 - Form and Theory of Literary Genres: Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3
Major Electives
Complete three additional ENG courses for at least nine hours excluding ENG 2800, ENG 3***J, ENG 4510, ENG 4520, ENG 4911, and ENG 4912. Six hours may be at the 2000-level or higher; three hours must be at the 3000-level or higher.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
1. 6, 7, & 8 Grade/Creative Writing Syllabus. Course: Creative Writing. Grading Period: nd2 Nine Weeks (October 13 to December 18 ) Instructor: Dr. R. Barnes. Email: [email protected] 601-855-2406 School Statement: The goal of each educator at Shirley D. Simmons Middle School is to improve the lives of children and continuously strive ...
Our 2020-21 Writing Curriculum for Middle and High School. A flexible, seven-unit program based on the real-world writing found in newspapers, from editorials and reviews to personal narratives ...
In this creative writing curriculum for middle schoolers (roughly 6th- to 9th-grade), young writers of fiction and poetry learn vital skills such as point of view, characterization, plotting, dialogue, and description. Simple but innovative exercises encourage young writers to strengthen their vocabulary and become aware of the patterns of ...
The Middle School Creative Writing course offers students an examination of the different genres of writing, the five elements that go into story developments, and the importance of keeping a journal.
Creative Writing Syllabus Instructor: Kathleen Harsch Email: [email protected] This syllabus is subject to change. REMIND - please sign up (if you haven't already): Send a text to Remind with the number: 81010 (Remind app) then, enter the code that corresponds with your child's class period in your message: Period 2: @43cadha
Grade 6, Units 1-4 of the middle school writing curriculum, Educating Powerful Writers: The NYCDOE Middle School Writing Scope and Sequence.This curriculum provides explicit units for writing instruction, mentor texts for each unit, self-assessment checklists for students, a full introduction to support the recommended instructional practices within the curriculum, and supporting materials and ...
In the middle school world, non-fiction is the primary focus of classroom writing. Therefore, a creative writing unit can provide a breath of fresh air. This unit guides students through a step-by ...
ÐÏ à¡± á> þÿ f h ...
Brave the Page. The official NaNoWriMo handbook that inspires young people to tackle audacious goals and complete their creative projects. Partly a how-to guide on the nitty-gritty of writing, partly a collection of inspiration to set (and meet) ambitious goals, Brave the Page is the go-to resource for middle-grade writers. Narrated in a fun, refreshingly kid-friendly voice, it champions ...
In addition, students will complete engaging activities and respond to journal prompts during their journey into creative writing. Final Exam/Project. The final exam grade in Middle School Creative Writing will be earned through a comprehensive portfolio developed in the last module of the course. This portfolio will count for 20% of the final ...
Creative writing that uses phrases like these shows up often in elementary writing. Once a student enters middle school, inventive writing often gets pushed aside. According to recent research, however, creative writing still offers benefits for the student beyond sixth grade. Researcher Marissa Despins states that creative expression allows ...
» School Tour » Middle School Application (6th - 8th) ... Creative Writing Syllabus; Assigned Independent Reading 2023-2024 [email protected] Room #: 79 Bachelors in Exceptional Student Education Read through the syllabus. Print out the last page and sign, along with your parents. ...
Middle School Creative Writing. Master Teacher: Devon Kelly Duration: Yearlong course offered in fall/spring (32 weeks). Suggested Grade Level: 6th & 7th grades Tuition: $629 f or HSLDA Members / $699 for non-members Description: In Middle School Creative Writing, students experience the joy of writing and reading in a fun, engaging way.Students strengthen their analytical reading skills by ...
4.8. (43) $17.00. Zip. Google Apps™. This Creative Writing Workbook includes 25+ different creative writing projects + activities for students to complete! It is designed for grades 6-12 and includes student descriptions, student examples, brainstorming pages, and rubrics for each project!This resource provides teachers with a unique way to ...
Liberty University: A Christian University in Virginia and Online
2024-2025 Middle School (Grades 6-7) AND Junior High (Grades 8-9) All-District Scale Sets ... Creative Writing Syllabus. Tishomingo High School Teacher: Mrs. Gena Waitman. ... Welcome to Creative Writing! I have a passion for reading and writing that I hope is contagious in my classroom. I will be tapping into your creative brain this year, so ...
Boost writing skills with engaging online classes for middle school students. Discover creative writing, essay techniques, and more for a successful academic experience. Search. Browse . Popular. Schooling Approach. ... Full Curriculum Writing & Composition: Meaningful Writing for Middle School. Vanessa Roach. 4.9 (325) Save. €19. per week ...
It includes a total of 480 writing and essay prompts to inspire both elementary and teen students for an entire calendar year! You get two different products with a total value of $7.00. Print the prompts in your choice of three formats: calendars, cards, or strips. Only available for a limited time. Grab their "Journal All Year!".
Middle School Creative Writing Instructor Mrs. Laura Miller Terms 2022-2023 School Year Files. Middle School Supply List 2021-2022.pdf Subscribe by Email What's this? Assignment Calendar. Subscribe to Calendar. iCal, Outlook 2007+ Google Calendar; Download .ICS; Moscow Charter School.
Quality, parent-approved writing resources. WriteShop's hands-on, interactive lessons will engage students at all levels, even the most reluctant of writers. Students will practice various kinds of writing, including creative, expository, narrative, and persuasive, through parent-led activities that gently guide them through each step of the ...
I teach English/Language Arts for all middle school students as well as several elective classes (Creative Writing, Spanish, Life Skills, and Study Skills). I have a B.S. in Elementary Education and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Idaho. I am certified to teach all subjects K-8 and Spanish K-12.
Overview of the Creative Writing Major Creative writing is about more than spinning tales. For your major, you'll generally need to pursue a curriculum grounded in literature, history, foreign language, and other humanities courses, along with distribution courses, if the college requires them.
Complete three additional ENG courses for at least nine hours excluding ENG 2800, ENG 3***J, ENG 4510, ENG 4520, ENG 4911, and ENG 4912. Six hours may be at the 2000-level or higher; three hours must be at the 3000-level or higher. Creative writing major at Ohio University is preparation for careers in publishing, business, marketing, more.