Creative Writing

EC17013

Course Description

Creative Writing is a one-semester online course designed to improve your ability to find and express your ideas through various writing styles. Each unit blends the reading of rich mentor texts with the opportunity for you to engage intimately with the process of writing. The ability to read analytically and to write expressively exists as the cornerstone for success in the work place, the military, and/or post high school collegiate work. Embrace the process and find your voice.

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course you will understand and use:

  • analyze various genres of literature and understand their cultural significance.
  • analyze the critical attributes of varying modes of writing to appreciate and emulate the artistry of the writer.
  • compose various types of texts dependent on audience, purpose, and message.
  • incorporate standard grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling into all written work.

Required Course Materials

  • Interactive Notebook – In the form of a small composition notebook, a spiral notebook, or loose-leaf paper kept in a binder.
  • Pencil or Pen – In order to do well in the course, you must take notes, sketch diagrams and graphs, and solve problems when instructed to do so.
  • Internet Access
  • Adobe Reader
  • Dictionary access (print or online)
  • Online copies can be found, but you can also purchase your own copy of Barbara Kingsolver’s Poisonwood Bible.

    Paperback: 576 pages

    Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Reissue edition (June 10, 2008)

    Language: English

    ISBN-10: 0061577073

    ISBN-13: 978-0061577079

Course Organization

This course is a single semester that contains 7 units and one final exam.

Each Unit contains:

  • 2–4 lessons. Each lesson includes some or all of the following components: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate.
  • Self-assessments to help you check your own understanding of the material covered in each lesson. You must complete these assessments in order to advance in the course.
  • 2 graded assignments

Final Examination

The final examination is comprehensive; it covers the material from all 7 units. To pass the course, you must receive a grade of 70 percent or better. You can apply to take the Final Exam after 100 percent of your graded assignments have been submitted, and at least 70 percent have been graded and returned to you.

Format: Multiple-choice and essay, online

Time Allowed: 3 hours

Materials Allowed: None

Semester Topics

Topic 1: Why Do Writers Write?

Topic 2: Creative Nonfiction

Topic 3: Short Fiction

Topic 4: The Novel

Topic 5: Poetry

Topic 6: Experimental Writing

Topic 7: A Way of Writing