ENGL 2271 - Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults

1. Read, discuss, and critique a broad selection of literary texts, including stories, poems, and books in various genres, with a focus on analyzing form and technique in order to guide and inform one’s own creative work.
2. Identify contemporary techniques in literary writing for children and young adults.
3. Understand the creative process and practice techniques for prewriting, writing, revising, and editing their creative work.
4. Understand writing for different audiences.
5. Understand the contemporary aesthetics and standards in literary children’s and young adult storytelling.
6. Participate in large and small workshops and be able to respond critically and analytically to written work, and practice this critical analysis of their own writing.
7. Understand that excellent contemporary literary writing derives from both individual and cultural values that are shaped by broader social, historical, and aesthetic standards and movements.
8. Students will be expected to produce a body of revised, polished writing for children and young adults that will culminate in a final portfolio of 20-30 pages.

1. Overview of the creative process
2. Overview of the basic structures for storytelling and narrative
3. Understand the importance of word choice and language
4. Develop and control figurative language and imagery
5. Explore techniques for discovering and creating material
6. Explore techniques of point of view and plot structure, including conflict and focusing tension
7. Practice methods in showing vs. telling
8. Shape and revise drafts based on peer and instructor feedback