Creative Writing

Syllabus

Bob Jones High School Teacher: Brandy Panagos

650 Hughes Road Email: [email protected]
Madison, AL 35758 Phone: 256-772-2547
@brandypanagos

I. Course Description: Students analyze and create original works in the categories of prose,
poetry, performance poetry, creative nonfiction, drama, comics,
journalism, film, graphic design, and multimedia. Fee required.

II. Course Objectives: 1. Students will understand and practice the writing process from pre-
writing (stage one) through multiple experiments with language (stage
two) to the refining and celebration of a completed writing product (stage
three).
2. Students study existing works and create original works in a variety of
genres.
3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of terminology and
formatting requirements as it pertains to each genre.
4. Students will submit work to The Eclectic and Patriot Pages as well as
to local, state, and national contests.
5. Students will keep a writer’s notebook and compile a writing portfolio.

III. Classroom Attendance Policy and Behavior

Expectations: Students will abide by the policies set forth in the Madison City Schools
and Bob Jones handbooks.
Students will respect will the people and the equipment in this classroom.
Students will not plagiarize content or material in the creation of materials
for this course.

Consequences
1st Offense: Warning
2nd Offense: Conference, Parental Contact, and Detention
3rd Offense or Severe Disruption: Office referral

Technology
Under no circumstances are student laptops to be wired to the network or
have print capabilities. No flash drives or discs are allowed. Neither the
teacher nor the school is responsible for broken, stolen, or lost laptops.
Laptops will be used at the discretion of the teacher.

Academics
Any student struggling with the course should conference with the teacher
immediately. All requests for accommodations for this course or any
school event are welcome from students and parents.

IV. BJ Grading Policy: This course will abide by the policies set forth by the Madison City
Schools system. Major grades will account for 70% of a student’s grade.
Major grades include tests and writing assignments. Minor grades include
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 Creative Writing
Syllabus

Bob Jones High School Teacher: Brandy Panagos

650 Hughes Road Email: [email protected]
Madison, AL 35758 Phone: 256-772-2547
@brandypanagos

prewriting activities, peer editing activities, and homework.

All grading will be on a points-system. Three methods of evaluation are

used: holistic scoring, primary trait scoring, and analytical scoring.
Students’ assignments and their grades will be posted in IIOD on a regular
basis.

V. BJ Make-up Test No make-up tests will be administered during class time. Students must
Policy: take a make-up test or complete make-up work within ten school days
after his or her return to school. Students can make-up work on
Wednesday’s before or after school in S215.

VI. Text and Other

Required Reading: The College Handbook of Creative Writing (provided)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (not provided)
Method and Madness: The Making of a Story (suggested reading only)
Creating Poetry (suggested reading only)
Save the Cat: Screenwriting (suggested reading only)
Dramatic Writers’ Companion: Theatre (suggested reading only)
Feature and Magazine Writing (suggested reading only)
Understanding Comics (suggested reading only)

VII. Materials and Notebook

Supplies Needed: Red pen
2 gently used or new magazines
one pack of 8 ½ X 11 copy paper (turn in to teacher)

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 Creative Writing
Syllabus

Bob Jones High School Teacher: Brandy Panagos

650 Hughes Road Email: [email protected]
Madison, AL 35758 Phone: 256-772-2547
@brandypanagos

18 – WEEK PLAN
Week Describe the writing process.
1 Define and recognize literary genres and the elements of literature.
Participate in a grammar, spelling, and punctuation review.
Week Define and recognize the structure of various forms of literature.
2 Define and demonstrate description, voice, diction, and sentence structure.
Recognize types of figurative language, and create original, evocative imagery.
Week Define and recognize terminology associated with tone and style.
3 Experiment with various elements of tone and style in original pieces.
Week Determine the function of the setting in various works of literature.
4 Create story sketches to demonstrate each function of setting.
Week Define and recognize various types of characters.
5 Create character profiles for existing and original characters.
Week Define and recognize various points of view.
6 Incorporate and punctuate character dialogue and thoughts in original work.
Week Define and discuss the elements of plot and conflict.
7 Create original traditional plot lines.
Week Recognize the role of time in literature.
8 Create original non-traditional plot lines.
Week Identify and analyze themes in published works.
9 Create story sketches.
Week Advanced Structure- Creative Nonfiction
10 Participate in bibliotherapy.
Week Advanced Structure- Short Story and Flash Fiction
11 Participate in bibliotherapy.
Week Advanced Structure- One-Act Play, Scenes, and Monologues
12 Participate in bibliotherapy.
Week Advanced Structure- Hypertext Fiction and Graphic Design
13 Participate in bibliotherapy.
Week Advanced Structure- Short Film
14 Participate in bibliotherapy.
Week Advanced Structure- Poetry, Performance Poetry, and Multimedia
15 Participate in bibliotherapy.
Week Advanced Structure- Children’s Literature and Illustration
16 Participate in bibliotherapy.
Week Advanced Structure- Comics and Graphic Novels
17 Participate in bibliotherapy.
Week Writing as a Career—Advertising, Greeting Cards, and Song Lyrics
18 Compile portfolio.

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 Creative Writing
Syllabus

Bob Jones High School Teacher: Brandy Panagos

650 Hughes Road Email: [email protected]
Madison, AL 35758 Phone: 256-772-2547
@brandypanagos

I have read the course syllabus and reviewed the 18-week plan. I understand that my student should
come to class prepared with the required materials as listed on this syllabus. I understand that I can
access my child’s grade over the internet using iNow and can review many course materials via
Edmodo or Google Classroom. Students also have their Web Portal and school email accounts to
transfer files from home to school and vice versa.

Student Name:

_________________________________________________________________________

Parental Name:

__________________________________________________________________________

Parental Signature:

__________________________________________________________________________

Parental Contact Number:

__________________________________________________________________________

Parental Email:

__________________________________________________________________________

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