AP English Literature Creative Writing Lessons:

 

FICTION (Click here for Poetry)

 

Submit all assignments by e-mail, preferably on the suggested DUE date. No Credit will be given after the final DUE date.

 

Below is a list of 10 brief assignments, each designed to be completed in a class period, or about 45min. to an hour of homework time. The goal of each is to help you write your story, or at the very least to give you some practice. Most importantly you will write rather than procrastinate.

 

Due to the variety of individual needs concerning the senior project, the DUE dates are merely suggested dates of completion. Be sure that all assignments are completed by Monday June 10th, so that they can be turned in with your rough draft. (You will turn in a packet with 6 to 12 pages of rough draft and 10 pages of brief assignments.)

 

Final Product:

 

Your final product, DUE on Monday June 17th, will be a 6 to 12 page short story exhibiting an understanding of the elements of fiction covered below. (Feel free to take artistic license as long as it contributes to the story and is not a symptom of laziness.) You will read your story (or an excerpt) during class Monday or during the final on Wednesday the 19th.

 

 

 

 

 

A Few Overall Notes:

        

         Point of View / The Narrator (Questions)

Naturally, you will need to settle on a Point of View (or two or three…) and a Narrator (or Narrators) will appear by default. You might want to give some thought to which character really ought to be telling the story and whether or not he or she (or they) is (or are) reliable.

         Theme

The theme of your story need not be a conscious goal of yours. It is perhaps best to leave the discovery of the theme to the readers. Though, when you are done, you may very well have your own opinion, as a reader, of what the story is about.

Literary Terms

These are provided for your general reference. Many other useful sites are referenced below. Too, a quick trip to google, or an e-mail to me may help to answer any specific questions that you have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson #1: Free Write

Exercise: Write for 20 to 30 Minutes without stopping. Do not think. Do not edit. Whether or not any of this material winds up in your final product is unimportant. Enjoy the rhythm of writing. DUE Monday, May 13th.

 

Lesson #2: Exposition

         Definition

Exercise: Brainstorm what background information etc,, might be necessary in the exposition of your story.  Type up a rough draft of an exposition. (About 1/2 page to a page.) Whether or not any of this material winds up in your final product is unimportant. DUE Tuesday, May 14th.

         Note: Foreshadowing

 

Lesson #3: Rising Action

         Definition

         Questions (See Action)

Exercise: Brainstorm some incidences of rising action that might fit into your story. Type up a rough draft of some rising action. (About a 1/2 page to a page.) Whether or not any of this material winds up in your final product is unimportant. DUE Wednesday, May 15th.

 

Lesson #4: Climax  

         Definition

Exercise: Brainstorm possibilities for the climax of your story. Choose one and write a rough draft of the climax. (About a 1/2 page to a page.) Whether or not any of this material winds up in your final product is unimportant. DUE Thursday, May 16th.

 

 

Lesson #5: Falling Action

         Definition

Exercise: Brainstorm some incidences of falling action that might fit into your story. Type up a rough draft of some falling action. (About a 1/2 page to a page.) Whether or not any of this material winds up in your final product is unimportant. DUE Friday, May 17th.

 

Lesson #6: Resolution / Dénouement

         Definition

Exercise: Brainstorm possibilities for the resolution of your story. Choose one and write a rough draft of the resolution. (About a 1/2 page to a page.) Whether or not any of this material winds up in your final product is unimportant. DUE Monday, May 20st.

 

Lesson #7: Setting

Definition 

         Questions

Exercise: Revisit the sections that you have completed thus far. Considering all five senses, add as many details of setting (and imagery in general) as come to your mind. They can always be edited out. DUE Tuesday, May 21nd.

 

Lesson #8: Characterization

         Definition

         Questions (See also Dialogue)

Exercise: Revisit the sections that you have completed thus far. Concentrating on showing not telling, add as many details of characterization as come to your mind. They can always be edited out. DUE Wednesday, May 22nd.

 

 

Lesson #9: Figurative Language etc…

         Definition

         Symbolism

         Questions (See Symbol and Theme)

Exercise: Revisit the sections that you have completed thus far. Add as much figurative language as comes to your mind. (At the very least some metaphors and similes, though personification isn't hard…) These things can always be edited out. DUE Thursday, May 23nd.

 

Lesson #10: Editing & Titles

Exercise: Revisit the sections that you have completed thus far. After using the spelling and grammar check on the computer, read them aloud to yourself and correct them for spelling, grammar, and any awkward phrases. Feel free to cut and/or rewrite the story liberally.

 

Titles: To borrow a phrase from Dr. Marx at Cal Poly SLO, "write an apt and snappy title." This is the true hook that will grab a reader's attention. Here, too, you may wish to hint at the deeper themes of the story now that it is finished. DUE Friday, May 24th.

 

Final Product:

 

Your final product, DUE on Monday June 17th, will be a 6 to 12 page short story exhibiting an understanding of the elements of fiction covered below. (Feel free to take artistic license as long as it contributes to the story and is not a symptom of laziness.) You will read your story (or an excerpt) during class Monday or during the final on Wednesday the 19th.