Core Creative Nonfiction
Spring 2023
Orange County School Of the Arts
Course Description
This course will explore Creative Nonfiction as a genre and form. We will define the genre through its various forms, such as the personal essay and memoir writing, and explore it through readings, discussions, and writing prompts. This will culminate into a final portfolio containing three pieces of Creative Nonfiction revised throughout the semester.
Course Objectives and Outcomes
Students will explore the creative process through the scope of creative nonfiction.
Students will understand and implement various writing techniques and strategies in the nonfiction genre.
Students will demonstrate editing and revision skills over the course of the semester.
Students will engage in critical discussions of different examples of creative nonfiction.
Grade Breakdown
You grade will be based on the following categories:
Writing Activities: 30 % of the grade
Whether in the form of warm-up prompts, discussion questions, or short reflections, these writing activities are designed to be formative and help students form an understanding of the content. This content will be graded through completion of the assignments.
Creative Prompts: 40% of the grade
Every class for 9th block, students will be given a creative prompt based off of the lesson of the day. These prompts are designed to engage with a specific form to allow students to create a piece of creative nonfiction. They are intended to be drafts, and will be graded on submission and adherence to form. There will be opportunities to revise as the semester progresses.
Final Portfolio: 30% of the grade
Over the course of the semester, students will be required to choose three different Creative Prompts to revise. By the end of the semester students will submit a final portfolio containing three finished, creative nonfiction pieces, the various drafts, and a reflection on the writing process. The final portfolio will be graded on completion, the creative process, and self-reflection.
OCSA MAKE-UP WORK POLICY
It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor regarding ways to make up work from excused absences. Make up work may not be provided for unexcused absences or during a student suspension. The instructor will determine what constitutes appropriate make up work as not all activities and assignments can be reproduced when a student is absent.
DISABILITY STATEMENT
The instructor will actively search out and service students with disabilities. The instructor will make accommodations and/or modifications for students who show a documented disability with OCSA’s Special Services Department.
OCSA SCHOOLWIDE LEARNER OUTCOMES
Wonder: Exercise curiosity and a sense of play to imagine, question, and challenge
Communicate: Listen and share ideas clearly and mindfully among diverse groups
Collaborate: Work together to deepen understanding, build community, and empower others to do the same
Problem-Solve: Employ various methods of reasoning, perspectives, and sources of knowledge to explore solutions
Create: Embrace the creative practice of innovation, rick-taking, and the evolution of ideas
Reflect: Practice self-awareness, empathy, and balance to encourage personal growth
This course will explore Creative Nonfiction as a genre and form. We will define the genre through its various forms, such as the personal essay and memoir writing, and explore it through readings, discussions, and writing prompts. This will culminate into a final portfolio containing three pieces of Creative Nonfiction revised throughout the semester.
Course Objectives and Outcomes
Students will explore the creative process through the scope of creative nonfiction.
Students will understand and implement various writing techniques and strategies in the nonfiction genre.
Students will demonstrate editing and revision skills over the course of the semester.
Students will engage in critical discussions of different examples of creative nonfiction.
Grade Breakdown
You grade will be based on the following categories:
Writing Activities: 30 % of the grade
Whether in the form of warm-up prompts, discussion questions, or short reflections, these writing activities are designed to be formative and help students form an understanding of the content. This content will be graded through completion of the assignments.
Creative Prompts: 40% of the grade
Every class for 9th block, students will be given a creative prompt based off of the lesson of the day. These prompts are designed to engage with a specific form to allow students to create a piece of creative nonfiction. They are intended to be drafts, and will be graded on submission and adherence to form. There will be opportunities to revise as the semester progresses.
Final Portfolio: 30% of the grade
Over the course of the semester, students will be required to choose three different Creative Prompts to revise. By the end of the semester students will submit a final portfolio containing three finished, creative nonfiction pieces, the various drafts, and a reflection on the writing process. The final portfolio will be graded on completion, the creative process, and self-reflection.
OCSA MAKE-UP WORK POLICY
It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor regarding ways to make up work from excused absences. Make up work may not be provided for unexcused absences or during a student suspension. The instructor will determine what constitutes appropriate make up work as not all activities and assignments can be reproduced when a student is absent.
DISABILITY STATEMENT
The instructor will actively search out and service students with disabilities. The instructor will make accommodations and/or modifications for students who show a documented disability with OCSA’s Special Services Department.
OCSA SCHOOLWIDE LEARNER OUTCOMES
Wonder: Exercise curiosity and a sense of play to imagine, question, and challenge
Communicate: Listen and share ideas clearly and mindfully among diverse groups
Collaborate: Work together to deepen understanding, build community, and empower others to do the same
Problem-Solve: Employ various methods of reasoning, perspectives, and sources of knowledge to explore solutions
Create: Embrace the creative practice of innovation, rick-taking, and the evolution of ideas
Reflect: Practice self-awareness, empathy, and balance to encourage personal growth