CREATIVE WRITING

(SECONDARY)

SELECTIVE UNIT 6 (S06)

(Creative Nonfiction)

(July 2014)

Unit Statement: What is the difference between writing fiction and nonfiction? How do journalists, essayists, and other nonfiction writers captivate their readers?

In this unit, the student will focus on a selected subgenre of creative nonfiction. After analyzing published texts, the student will build the necessary skills (and incorporate previously studied techniques) in order to write an original composition of the same type. The teacher/student may choose from memoir (including personal essays) or researched work (also known as new journalism or literary journalism, such as human interest articles or travel writing).

Essential Outcomes: (must be assessed for mastery)

  1. The Student Will recognize creative nonfiction as a genre that uses the conventions of fiction in order to tell a true story.
  1. TSW analyze published works of creative nonfiction for voice, imagery, characterization, conflict, and other commonly employed literary elements.
  1. TSW apply fiction writing techniques to published or original nonfiction work in order to emphasize theshowing, rather than telling, of factual information.
  1. TSWcompose an original work of creative nonfiction, incorporating skills mastered in TSWs 2-3.

Practiced/Ongoing Outcomes: (development is ongoing)

  1. The Student Will review the 6 + 1 Writing Traits to ensure familiarity with the necessary components of good writing.
  1. TSW demonstrate a working knowledge of the conventions of Standard English.
  1. TSW increase vocabulary skills in order to produce more sophisticated writing.
  1. TSW improve personal writing habits by implementing identified strategies.

Suggested Professional Materials for Teachers: (provided by school)

Sellers, Heather. The Practice of Creative Writing: A Guide for Students. 2nd Ed.

Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. Print. Pages 34-35, 477-78.

Suggested Student Materials: (provided by school)

Anderson, Linda, ed. Creative Writing: A Workbook with Readings.

Oxfordshire: Routledge, 2006. Print. Pages 127-139, 270-358.

Benke, Karen. Rip the Page! Adventures in Creative Writing. Boston: Roost

Books, 2010. Print. Pages for use in this unit can be selected by the

teacher and/or students.

Technology Links:

The Creative Nonfiction Foundation pursues educational and publishing initiatives in the genre of literary nonfiction. If you are unfamiliar with this genre, start with their article, “What is Creative Nonfiction?” at for a nice overview in clear language. The web site also provides links to essay contests, online classes, and other terrific resources available in print, some of which are available to educators at a discounted price.

Archive of tips and articles for writing and editing in journalistic storytelling from Poynter.

Weekly creative writing prompts appropriate for teens and adults, written by Brian A. Klems, published author and online editor of writersdigest.com.

bedfordstmartins.com/practicecreativewriting

This is the companion site for The Practice of Creative Writing, providing writing projects, suggestions for further reading, and downloadable checklists from the book.

Destiny Webpath Express

Use this search engine to find age-appropriate websites that align with your unit.

Suggested Assessment Tools and Strategies:

  1. Use the reading, writing, and discussion activities on pages 270-358 in the Anderson text.
  2. Give students ample time to read, take notes on, and discuss published works of creative nonfiction in print, such as biographies, memoirs, feature stories in magazines and newspapers, etc.
  3. Use the attached rubric or a teacher-generated rubric that assesses ALL essential outcomes (TSWs).

RUBRIC FOUND ON FOLLOWING PAGE………………………

Suggested Unit Evaluation Rubric – CREATIVE WRITING – S06

Student name:______Date:______

  • To receive a ‘B’ in the unit, a student must demonstrate mastery of all TSWs
  • To receive an ‘A’ in the unit, a student must demonstrate ‘A’-level mastery in TSW 5and at least 2 other TSWs.

TSW / ‘A’ LEVEL / ‘B’ LEVEL / Notes
1.recognize creative nonfiction as a genre that uses the conventions of fiction in order to tell a true story. / Student analyzes creative nonfiction as a genre that uses the conventions of fiction in order to tell a true story, justifying response with textual evidence. / Student identifies conventions of fiction increative nonfiction citing textual evidence.
2.analyze published works of creative nonfiction for voice, imagery, characterization, conflict, and other commonly employed literary elements. / N.A. / Student identifies commonly employed literary elements citing textual evidence.
3.apply fiction writing techniques to published or original nonfiction work in order to emphasize theshowing, rather than telling, of factual information. / N.A. / Studentappropriately applies fiction writing techniques.
4.compose an original work of creative nonfiction, incorporating skills mastered in TSWs 2-3 (various literary elements and fiction writing techniques). / Additionally, the work demonstrates a high level of creativity, originality, and/or sophistication. / Student composes an original work of creative nonfiction, incorporating various literary elements and fiction writing techniques.

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QSI CREATIVE WRITING SEC S06

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