creative writing level 1

• Writing, Research & Publishing Guides

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Buy new: $12.69 $12.69 FREE delivery: Friday, April 12 on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon. Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com

Return this item for free.

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Add work books and access codes to your order

Buy used: $7.96

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

The Creative Writer, Level One: Five Finger Exercise Paperback – January 16, 2012

Purchase options and add-ons.

A gentle, imaginative introduction to the skills all creative writers need.

• Print length 213 pages
• Language English
• Publisher The Well-Trained Mind Press
• Publication date January 16, 2012
• Dimensions 7 x 0.6 x 10 inches
• ISBN-10 9781933339559
• ISBN-13 978-1933339559
• See all details

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may deliver to you quickly

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1933339551
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Well-Trained Mind Press (January 16, 2012)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 213 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781933339559
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1933339559
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.6 x 10 inches
• #1,405 in Homeschooling (Books)
• #1,508 in Fiction Writing Reference (Books)

About the author

Boris fishman.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Start Selling with Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

Home › University › A Level Requirements For Popular University Degrees (An A-Z) › A Level Requirements for Creative Writing

A Level Requirements for Creative Writing

• Published October 31, 2022

Table of Contents

Are you trying to figure our what a-levels to take for creative writing? There are so many combinations of A-Levels that it can be hard to know which one is right combo for you. 

And if you get it wrong, you might miss your dream university course.

That’s why we ensure that our creative writing summer course students have 1:1 personalised tutorials with world-renowned tutors. So they’ll have the best guidance in deciding their next steps in education. 

We’ve also done the research for you and have come up with the A-Level requirements of the best Creative Writing universities in the UK. Plus, we’ve given practical tips to help you become a better Creative Writer. 

Read on to find out more!

What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is a form of writing that expresses emotions, feelings, and thoughts in an imaginative way. Types of creative writing include:

• Short stories
• Screenplays
• Television scripts
• Personal Essays
• Journals/Personal memoirs

It’s different from academic or technical writing, which requires one to stick to the facts without personal additions.

When writing stories, creative writers use the elements of creative writing, such as:

• Plot – series of events consisting of the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
• Setting – the time and place of the story
• Characters – the ones who experience the plot and the setting 
• Point of View – the lens through which the reader experiences the story
• Theme – the idea or message the author wants to relate to the reader

Creative writers use strong verbs and adjectives to describe their characters and settings. They also use figurative language such as metaphors and similes to appeal to the readers’ emotions and imagination. 

If you want to learn more about creative writing, check out our full what is creative writing guide. 

Why Study Creative Writing?

Because when you want to persuade or entertain by appealing to the readers’ thoughts and emotions, Creative Writing is a powerful medium. When was the last time you were moved to tears when reading a character’s tragedy in a novel? What song did you listen to recently that gave you strong nostalgia, bringing up memories of a time long gone? 

In Creative Writing, the author shares their human experience that the readers can relate to. You can move hearts and minds by sharing your experiences following Creative Writing principles. 

What are real-world examples that call upon you to exercise Creative Writing?

• During university applications, when you need to submit your personal statement
• Sharing what you’ve learned from a module in an essay format as part of academic assessments in the university
• Writing a letter to your family, friend, or loved one to greet them during important milestones
• Encouraging potential customers to avail of your products or services
• Making a cover letter to convince a company to recruit you as part of the team
• Composing a song to woo a lover or attract listeners to buy your music.
• Creating a Youtube script for your vlogs
• Writing a book to promote your personal brand

Do you see how Creative Writing is everywhere?   Here are some of the many benefits of learning creative writing:

• Enhances your written communication skills for improved confidence and self-expression 
• Sharpens your critical thinking and reasoning skills
• Increases your chances of career success because many job positions require creative written work, especially in marketing and customer service
• Deepens your empathy because Creative Writing requires you to think from another person’s shoes
• Expressive writing, especially about painful life events, is a therapeutic tool. That’s why therapists encourage patients to write in their journals daily. 
• Strengthens your imagination and encourages you to think outside the box, which improves your problem-solving skills

Creative Writing is an essential skill you must learn to thrive in the hyper-information age we live in today.

Is There an A-Level for Creative Writing?

There isn’t an official A-Level for Creative Writing as there is for Maths or Chemistry. But there is an A-Level for: 

• English Language
• English Language and Literature
• English Literature

Are you looking for an A-Level for Creative Writing because you want to get a feel of what Creative Writing study is like in a school setting? Do you want to experience Creative Writing at the university level before studying it in higher education? Consider taking the Immerse Education Creative Writing summer course for 13-18 years old at the University of Cambridge, Oxford, or Sydney. 

You’ll gain 1:1 personalised tutorials from expert Creative Writing tutors from Oxford and Cambridge. So you can make well-informed decisions for your next steps in education.

Is Creative Writing an English Major? 

Yes, Creative Writing can be an English Major. You’ll often encounter it as “English Literature with Creative Writing BA” or “BA English and Creative Writing.” Top schools that offer such Creative Writing degrees include:

• English Literature with Creative Writing – University of Leeds , University of Warwick , Newcastle University , University of East Anglia UEA
• English and Creative Writing – University of Strathclyde , University of Birmingham , Royal Holloway University of London , Lancaster University , University of Nottingham  

But some universities offer Creative Writing as a standalone BA course, such as the University of Plymouth .

What Creative Writing Degrees Can You Study?

We’ve previously mentioned these undergraduate Creative Writing degrees:

• English Literature with Creative Writing
• English and Creative Writing
• Creative Writing

Others include:

• American Literature with Creative Writing – University of East Anglia UEA
• Journalism and Creative Writing – Falmouth University , University of Leicester , University of Lincoln , 
• Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance – University of York

What A-Levels Do You Need To Apply For a Creative Writing Degree?

To determine what A-Levels you need to apply for a Creative Writing degree, let’s take a look at the entry requirements of the Top Universities for Creative Writing : 

• University of Strathclyde English and Creative Writing – ABB-BBB, with English Language or English Literature at B
• University of Birmingham English and Creative Writing – AAB with B for English Literature
• University of Leeds English Literature with Creative Writing –  AAA with English Language, or English Literature, or English Language and Literature
• University of Warwick English Literature with Creative Writing – AAA or A*AB, with A in English Literature or English Language and Literature
• Newcastle University English Literature with Creative Writing – AAB, with English Language or English Literature

Based on what the top UK Universities for Creative Writing require, English Language or English Language and Literature are common requirements. What should you take for the remaining two subjects? Anything from science/maths and arts. Taking a wide range of A-Level subjects is most preferred by a majority of schools and by a vast range of courses. It’s best to keep your options open!

What Topics Does a Creative Writing Degree Cover?

The usual topics a Creative Writing degree covers include:

• Creative Writing foundation
• English studies
• Mediaeval and Early Modern literature
• Contemporary cultures
• Modern fiction
• Poetry writing
• Prose writing
• Drama and Media Writing
• Drama, Theatre, and Performance

Creative Writing with English Literature often involves reading literature in various styles and eras, from the middle ages to modern times. 

How Will You be Assessed?

The specifics of assessments differ from one university to another. But here are the common ways Creative Writing students are assessed:

• Written work, including essays, poetry, plays, fiction, and short fiction
• Oral presentation
• Individual and group presentations
• Formal exam
• Research project
• Assignments

How To Do Creative Writing

Do you want to start your Creative Writing journey but are unsure how? We know exactly what you’re looking for. Here are 4 practical tips to help you get started:

1. Read, read, and read some more!

There’s a reason why English and Creative Writing courses require you to read tons of material. How else will you learn how to write if you do not have the inspiration to draw from? Reading gives you a wellspring of ideas. It serves as the fuel for your imagination and creativity. 

When you read something that captivates you, take note of it. Dissect it! What words and sentences made the most impact on you? What are the very first words of the text? How did it catch your attention? Study each chapter and examine how it begins and ends. What strategies did the author use to make you want to read the next chapter? 

Do you see where we’re going? You don’t have to develop a new and untried formula when doing Creative Writing. All you need to do is choose a formula that has worked throughout the centuries, tweak it according to your intention and audience, and double down on making each sentence valuable and imaginative. 

Let’s look at storytelling, for instance. Take Romeo and Juliet. Is forbidden love a new concept? Nope. Forbidden love has been a repeated theme throughout human history. But it’s the way Shakespeare crafted the characters that captured the readers’ hearts and made them feel the intense tragedy of the star-crossed lovers. 

So when you read, remember to gather notes and inspiration. And when you feel like there’s zero creativity going on, look at the writings you’ve included in your collection. You’d be surprised at how it can revive your imagination! 

2. Never Stop Writing

The classic adage “practice makes perfect” especially rings true in Creative Writing. Do you know expert writers have a habit of daily writing? They may use Creative Writing prompts and exercises to practice turning thoughts into the right words. 

Do you dream of having the ability to write in a smooth flow? Start by doing the 10-minute free-flow writing. It’s called “free-flow” because the rule is to write everything that comes to mind immediately.

It doesn’t have to make sense. And for 10 minutes, you can throw the spelling and grammar rules out the window. The goal is to remove the fear of the blank page by writing without self-judgment. Try out our creative writing prompts if you’re lacking creativity – there are over 300 of them!

You’ll be more comfortable writing when you practice this simple exercise daily. Once you reach a certain level of comfortability, begin recording random ideas that pop into your head. Maybe you had thought of writing a mystery story in a World War II setting. Perhaps you witnessed an exceptionally breathtaking sunset that inspired you to write a poem. 

It doesn’t matter if you think it’s a bad idea. Put it in your writing journal! Who knows? You might come back to it later, and it’ll become one of the most remarkable pieces of writing you’ll have the pleasure of creating.

3. Try Out Writing Courses

What better way to hit the ground running than to learn from experts who’ve been where you want to be? There are many Creative Writing courses you can try. 

Check out our creative writing summer courses . You’ll have world-class tutors from prestigious universities such as Oxford and Cambridge who are eager to share their expertise with you. 

Why is it an excellent idea to take courses? Because it’ll accelerate your learning process and boost your confidence.

4. Join Writing Communities

There’s nothing like having a group of like-minded people enthusiastic about Creative Writing as much as you are, and even more so! When you join Creative Writing communities, you’ll have the opportunity to hear other peoples’ writing stories and strategies.

In addition, you can share your struggles to receive the support you need to keep going! Some even go as far as reading each other’s works and giving constructive feedback.

What Are the Postgraduate Opportunities For Creative Writing?

Here are the common postgraduate opportunities available for Creative Writing:

• MA in Creative Writing
• MA Screenwriting
• PhD in Creative Writing

Not interested in postgraduate education? Learn about creative writing career choices that have high paying salaries.

What Are Similar Subjects to Creative Writing?

Similar subjects to Creative Writing include:

If you’re pursuing a career in creative writing, it’s important to take the right A-Levels. English Language and English Literature a-level are two of the most common subjects for aspiring writers, but other options are also available.

Creative Writing courses can be found in several prestigious universities, so it’s important to have a strong foundation in your chosen subject. Taking the right A-Levels will set you up for success in your future writing career.

Related Content

How to get into the fashion industry.

Real Alumni Stories

Learn more about our alumni through their success stories.

• Real stories about our Alumni
• Students share their programme experiences
• Case studies from Alumni heading to Oxbridge
• Alumni insights and stats

Empower Your Child's Future: Book Your Complimentary Consultation Now

• Receive tailored advice to match your child's interests and goals.
• Gain insights from our experienced programme consultants.
• Get answers in real-time, making your decision-making process smoother and more informed.

* Terms and Conditions may apply

• First Name *
• Family Name *
• Phone Number
• I'm a Parent
• I'm a Student

Would you like to receive anything else?

• Prospectuses
• Residential Syllabus Overviews (ages 13-15)
• Residential Syllabus Overviews (ages 16-18)
• Online Syllabus Overviews (ages 13-18)
• Immerse Education Prospectus 2024
• Career Insights - London Course Guide
• Career Insights New York
• Career Insights San Francisco
• Online Insights Prospectus
• Online Research Programme Prospectus
• Academic Insights - Cambridge & Oxford Prospectus
• Academic Insights Sydney
• Academic Insights Toronto
• Female Future Leaders
• Dates & Fees
• Architecture
• Artificial Intelligence
• Business Management
• Business Management (Sydney)
• Business Management (Career Insights)
• Computer Science
• Creative Writing (Sydney)
• Creative Writing & Film (Career Insights)
• Earth Sciences
• Engineering
• Engineering (Career Insights)
• Engineering (Sydney)
• Film Studies
• International Relations
• International Relations (Sydney)
• Medicine (Career Insights)
• Medicine (Sydney)
• Natural Sciences
• Psychology (Sydney)
• Veterinary Studies (Sydney)
• Banking & Finance (New York)
• Business Management (London)
• Data Science & Analytics (San Francisco)
• Creative Writing & Film (London)
• Entrepreneurship (San Francisco)
• Engineering (London)
• Fashion & Design (New York)
• Health Tech & Biotechnology (San Francisco)
• Marketing & Entertainment (New York)
• Medicine (London)
• Law (New York)
• Software Development & AI (San Francisco)
• Architecture & Design (Career Insights)
• Biotechnology
• Business Management (Toronto)
• Computer Science & AI (Toronto)
• Criminology
• Engineering (Toronto)
• Fine Art (Career Insights)
• Game Design (Career Insights)
• Law (Career Insights)
• Mathematics
• Medicine (Toronto)
• Nanotechnology
• Online Research Programme
• Online Insights
• Computer Science & AI
• Sustainability

Complete Your Request

• Yes. See Privacy Policy.

• Create a List
• Cathy Duffy Reviews Home >
• Homeschool Reviews Core Curricula >
• Composition & Grammar >
• Graded Language Arts Curricula >

The Creative Writer

The Creative Writer is a series of four courses, each of which should take one school year or 36 weeks to complete. While the target audience is students in grades five through eight, this series definitely can be used with older students too. Volumes Three and Four might even be a better fit for high school students. Volume designations rather than grade levels make it easy to use this series at whatever level is most appropriate for your students.

Lessons in all four courses are presented in two, 18-week sections—the first section on fiction and the second on poetry. Lessons are presented in multi-week units, so students might spend four weeks working on character.

In Level One , fiction units cover plot, character, dialogue, observation, setting, point of view, and writing a short story. The poetry units are introduction to poetry, description, getting the words right, sound, and writing a poem. Distinctions between the two sections often seem fuzzy, but this is intentional. For example, students learn to observe and write descriptively in both fiction and poetry lessons. Likewise, other skills are learned and applied in both realms.

Student books are consumable. Some lessons have space for students to do written exercises directly in the book. Students will also maintain a “practice notebook” for ideas, notes, vocabulary words and other written work. Sometimes space to write in the text won’t be sufficient, and students might be better off completing the exercises entirely in their notebook rather than in the text.

The author also suggests that students get in the habit of carrying a little notebook and pencil with them to jot down observations and ideas when they strike. In this digital age, I suspect students would be more likely to either record voice notes or type them into their smartphones as an alternative.

The purpose of each lesson is stated clearly at the top of the first page of the lesson. Lessons are written directly to the student so they need not be presented by a teacher. They often use excerpts from literary works or poems both as examples and as springboards into student exercises. For example, an excerpt from Tom Sawyer and the story of “Rapunzel” are used to teach about plot. The author first walks students through his own selection of plot points for Tom Sawyer then students discover plot points within “Rapunzel” on their own. Whether using literary excerpts or not, author Boris Fishman does an excellent job of first helping students see how authors use techniques before asking students to implement those techniques. When students have to come up with their own ideas, he offers many creative suggestions to make it easier for students to find a starting place.

Most lessons conclude with one or two “Challenge Exercises,” optional activities that reinforce the lesson but stretch students to go even further in working with a particular skill or technique. These are usually so worthwhile that it would be worth slowing down the course if necessary to make time to use them.

The courses are designed to help students develop skills and strategies for writing. While assignments are clearly spelled out they aren’t as narrow and prescriptive as some programs. For example, in a lesson on characterization, Fishman presents ten questions for students to answer about their selected character. Students then use those questions and answers as fodder for writing a 500-word descriptive narration. In a less-structured exercise, students are to spend a short period of time observing a scene with a person or group of people (e.g., dad mowing the lawn for five to ten minutes) then quickly write 500 words either in narrative form or as bullets. You might have picked up on the fact that many of the fiction lessons ask students to write 500-word assignments each week--more if you add the challenge exercises.

Fishman includes some unusual assignments that I would love to try myself such as one that directs students to write two separate descriptions of the same barn—one from the point of view of a happy character and one from the point of view of a sad character.

Students conclude the fiction lessons in Level One by writing their own 1000-word story from scratch.

This is probably a more demanding program in terms of the amount of writing required than are most other programs for students in grades five through eight.

Levels Two through Four gradually become more difficult, and Level One is challenging to begin with! By the time they reach Level Four, students are working at high school or even college level. In Level Four , they learn how to integrate backstory into their fiction. Lessons on fantasy fiction begin with an assignment to first read at least 30 pages each of five different fantasy novels, noticing how fantasy stories differ from ordinary drama then create a plot, characters, and setting for a fantasy short story and compose 500 words of one scene from any part of the story—assignments all for one week. Another lesson has students write a scene from a play that they create. A poetry lesson has students “write a poem that maintains a single metaphor for its duration.”

I have focused thus far primarily on the fiction lessons. While half of the lessons are designated as poetry, there is a tremendous amount of “cross fertilization” between fiction and poetry lessons. Poetry assignments are not restricted to use of rhyme and meter, especially the first year, but are much more open ended with an emphasis on free verse. However, The Creative Writer’s approach to poetry emphasizes learning the craft of poetry—the techniques that make poetry poetry rather than loosely organized prose. Students gradually learn these different elements as they work through the four courses, working on various elements rather than on complete poems most of the time until they reach Level Four . For example, in Level One , this includes learning about rhymes, alliteration, repetition, and other poetic elements. And many lessons involve “word play” that helps students develop more creative and precise vocabulary. Students conclude the Level One poetry lessons by writing their own poem of any sort they choose. Students learn about meter and stress in Levels Two and Three (along with many other topics). By Level Four students should have learned techniques well enough that they are able to tackle the first poetry lesson assignment to write four poems in one week, aiming for a rough guideline of at least 16 lines per poem.

Students can work independently through the lessons, but the program is better used with a mentor assisting or overseeing the student. Either at the end of the units for each semester or at the end of the entire book are sections of “Mentor Materials” with notes on each lesson that help a mentor to assist and evaluate the student. Often, the notes provide tips that might help students focus on the primary objective of the lesson to ensure that they don’t just complete an assignment but really get the point. Students working independently, especially older students, might read through the mentor notes themselves to glean anything that might be helpful.

Students might begin Level One in fifth grade, but any student up through high school who has not been introduced to the basics of creative writing such as plot, character, setting, and point of view could begin at this point. Older students who already have a some foundation might start in Level Two which also presents the basics, albeit more briefly. Level Three shifts from the basics into technique, so students need to have a foundation and some experience writing fiction before tackling Level Three . Levels Two and Three could easily be used by adults who want to develop their own writing skills. While they might be used by students at the publisher’s suggested sixth and seventh grade levels, I think they will probably work better with students a grade or two higher.

While many writing courses are written by teachers, The Creative Writer was obviously written by a writer who loves his craft. He sometimes mentions his own approaches or techniques he’s learned. He reveals how a poetry course requirement first opened up new ways of thinking about his own prose writing. All of this conveys a sense of Fishman serving as a mentor to those using these courses. While the courses are challenging, they are also inspiring and engaging. Students who really want to develop their writing craft are likely to love this series, and reluctant writers might find that they enjoy writing more than they thought they ever would.

Pricing Information

When comparison prices appear, please keep in mind that they are subject to change. Click on links where available to verify price accuracy.

digital downloads (available from the publisher) - $13.50 each

Creative Writer Level One: Five Finger Exercises

• $12.69 at Christianbook.com
• $10.95 at Rainbowresource.com

Creative Writer Level Four: Becoming a Writer

Creative writer level 3: building your craft, creative writer level two: essential ingredients.

• $10.04 at Christianbook.com
• $11.25 at Rainbowresource.com

Core Curricula

• Art & Music
• Bible & Religion
• Catholic Curricula
• Composition & Grammar
• Early Learning / Preschool
• Foreign Language
• Handwriting
• History & Geography
• Grade Level Packages & Courses
• Math Supplements
• Phonics & Reading
• Spelling & Vocabulary
• Unit Studies & All-In-One Programs
• Register | Log in

Instant Key

• Need For Parent or Teacher Instruction: low
• Learning Environment: one-on-one or independent study
• Grade Level: grades 5-12
• Religious Perspective: secular but Christian friendly

Publisher's Info

• Well-Trained Mind Press
• (877) 322-3445
• https://welltrainedmind.com/

Note: Publishers, authors, and service providers never pay to be reviewed. They do provide free review copies or online access to programs for review purposes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guidelines Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

• My Account |
• StudentHome |
• TutorHome |
• IntranetHome |
• Contact the OU Contact the OU Contact the OU |
• Accessibility Accessibility

Postgraduate

• International
• News & media
• Business & apprenticeships
• Contact Contact Contact
• A to Z of subjects
• Course types
• Honours degrees
• Integrated masters degrees
• Foundation degrees
• Diplomas of Higher Education
• Certificates of Higher Education
• Open University certificates
• Open qualifications
• Higher Technical Qualifications
• Microcredentials
• Short courses
• All courses
• Student stories
• Accountancy
• Counselling
• Engineering
• Environment
• IT and computing
• Mental health
• Social work
• Working with children
• Employability and the OU
• International recognition
• Apprenticeships
• What is distance learning?
• A guide to our qualifications
• How long will my qualification take?
• How will I study?
• Tutors and tutorials
• How will I be assessed?
• Support and the OU community
• Ask a student
• Our global reputation
• Can I do it?
• Finding time to study
• Is my English good enough?
• Computing skills
• Am I ready tool
• Fees and funding
• Tuition fee loan
• Tuition fee grants and loans
• Part-time fee grant
• Support for living costs

Employer sponsorship

• Credit or debit card
• Enhanced learning credits

Mixed payments

• Study costs funding
• Carers' Scholarship
• Carers' Bursary
• Care Experienced Bursary
• Care Experienced Scholarship
• Scholarship for Black Students
• Disabled Veterans' Scholarships
• Sanctuary Scholarship
• How to apply
• Transferring your study

Creative writing

This module takes a student-centred approach to creative writing, offering a range of strategies to help you develop as a writer. The emphasis is highly practical, with exercises and activities designed to ignite and sustain the writing impulse. The five-part module starts by showing ways to use your memory and experience in your writing and build a daily discipline for your work. This is followed by the demonstration and practice of the three most popular forms of writing – fiction, poetry and life writing (which includes autobiography, biography and travel writing). The concluding part aims to demystify the world of agents and publishers, teaching you how to revise and present your work to a professional standard.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

Browse qualifications in related subjects

Module code.

• Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
• One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
• You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
• For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

Study level

Study method, module cost, entry requirements, student reviews.

Fully enjoyed every moment. It has given me a better understanding of the creative process - structuring, editing, and how... Read more

This is a great module, with some excellent tutors. There is plenty of good material in the coursebook to help... Read more

Request your prospectus

Explore our subjects and courses, what you will study.

This module is suitable for new writers, as well as for those with some experience who would like to develop their skills. It will help you to identify your strengths and interests as a writer by giving you the opportunity to write in a range of genres: fiction, poetry, and life writing. The emphasis is on finding your own direction and style through experiment, practice and constructive feedback. The module is designed not only for aspiring writers but for anyone with a strong interest in reading and writing who would like to deepen their understanding of the creative process.

The module is structured as follows: The introductory part, The Creative Process , focuses on developing a habit of writing. It examines a range of strategies to help you get started, including clustering, morning pages, and keeping a writer’s notebook, as well as discussions by writers about their own approaches and practices.

Part 2, Writing Fiction , explores the main aspects of narrative, including story structure and time; showing and telling; character and setting; point of view; and editing.

Part 3, Writing Poetry , introduces you to the basics of contemporary poetry, covering a variety of techniques for beginning poets. Topics include image and figurative language; the line in free verse; voice and diction; structure; rhyme and metre; the sonnet; and revising poems.

Part 4, Life Writing , looks at autobiography (or memoir), biography and travel writing. Some of the central issues raised by life writing are discussed, including the nature of memory and forgetting, the performance of the self, and the representation of others. Finding and researching subject matter and suitable forms are also explored.

The final part, Going Public , outlines the professional presentation of manuscripts and submissions to agents and editors, as well as finding outlets for publication.

At the core of the module is the module book Creative Writing: A Workbook with Readings: 2nd edition , which takes you week-by-week through the five parts. The emphasis is on practice through guided activities, supported by literary examples by a diverse range of authors, including prose extracts, stories, and poems illustrating particular methods or strategies. The online study material contains audios, videos, animations and other interactive exercises to enhance your learning, such as interviews with writers discussing their inspirations and techniques and discussions with publishing industry professionals. Online tutorials offer additional opportunities to receive guidance and support from tutors.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor.

You'll have a tutor to help you with the study material and to mark and comment on your written work. You can ask your tutor for advice and guidance both in online forums and by email or phone. Your tutor also offers general support as you progress through the module book, which is the principal guide to your learning.

Your tutor will use a blend of methods that will include moderated online discussion forums and a number of real-time online tutorials that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Recordings of these tutorials will be available if you can't attend.

Contact us  if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Future availability

Creative writing starts once a year – in October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2024. We expect it to start for the last time in October 2033.

Regulations

Course work includes:.

No prior experience of creative writing study is necessary. This is an OU level 2 module and builds on the OU level 1 modules  Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)  and Cultures (A112) or The arts past and present (AA100) and Voices, texts and material culture (A105) (the latter two now discontinued). These OU level 1 introductory modules develop skills such as logical thinking, clear expression, essay writing and the ability to select and interpret relevant materials.

If you have not studied at university level before, you are strongly advised to study at OU level 1 before progressing to OU level 2 study.

If you're unsure about your English language skills and would like some additional support, you might like to try our Developing Academic English tutorials before registering on this module.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an  adviser .

Additional Costs

Study costs.

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

Ways to pay for this module

Open university student budget account.

The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

• Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
• Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Joint loan applications

If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.

As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.

Read more about  Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA) .

Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. 

• Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
• You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.  

Credit/debit card

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module. 

We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron. 

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA) .

For more information about combining payment options, speak to an  adviser  or book a  call back at a time convenient to you.

Can you study an Access module for free?

In order to qualify, you must:

• be resident in England
• have a personal income of less than £25,000 (or receive qualifying benefits)
• have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above, or completed 30 credits or more of OU study

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you've started the registration process , either online or over the phone, we'll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible.

If you're unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069 or you can request a call back .

Not eligible to study for free?

Don't worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

• monthly payments through OUSBA
• part-time tuition fee loan (you'll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding .

What's included

You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:

• a week-by-week study planner
• module materials, including the Introduction to the Module guide
• audio, video and interactive content
• assignment details and submission section
• online forums and tutorial access
• online exercises and activities
• electronic versions of the module book in various formats
• further links to online resources.

You’ll also be provided with a printed copy of the module book Creative Writing: A Workbook with Readings: 2nd edition , which is the principal guide to your learning.

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this  Accessibility Statement  outlines what studying A215 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages .

The Open University

• Study with us
• Supported distance learning
• Funding your studies
• International students
• Global reputation
• Develop your workforce
• Contact the OU

Undergraduate

• Arts and Humanities
• Art History
• Business and Management
• Combined Studies
• Computing and IT
• Creative Writing
• Criminology
• Early Years
• Electronic Engineering
• Film and Media
• Health and Social Care
• Health and Wellbeing
• Health Sciences
• International Studies
• Mathematics
• Mental Health
• Nursing and Healthcare
• Religious Studies
• Social Sciences
• Social Work
• Software Engineering
• Sport and Fitness
• Postgraduate study
• Research degrees
• Masters in Art History (MA)
• Masters in Computing (MSc)
• Masters in Creative Writing (MA)
• Masters degree in Education
• Masters in Engineering (MSc)
• Masters in English Literature (MA)
• Masters in History (MA)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Masters in Mathematics (MSc)
• Masters in Psychology (MSc)
• A to Z of Masters degrees
• Accessibility statement
• Conditions of use
• Privacy policy
• Cookie policy
• Manage cookie preferences
• Modern slavery act (pdf 149kb)

Follow us on Social media

• Student Policies and Regulations
• Student Charter
• System Status
• Contact the OU Contact the OU
• Modern Slavery Act (pdf 149kb)

© . . .

English exemplars, past exams, reports and schedules

Internal and external assessment resources for English

New Level 1 standards 2024

NZQA will publish exemplars to support implementation of the new Level 1 standards where student samples from the pilots reflect the implemented standard. This will occur between 9 October 2023 and no later than the end of May 2024.

Where student samples reflecting the implemented standard are not available, exemplars will be made available on an ongoing basis after 2024 external moderation and marking has occurred.

Internal assessment exemplars 

AS 91924 - Demonstrate understanding of how context shapes verbal language use

AS 91925 - Demonstrate understanding of specific aspects of studied text

External assessments and exemplars

Level 1 English exams and exemplars (external link)

Assessment reports and schedules

Level 1 English assessment reports and schedules (external link)

On this page

Internal assessment exemplars.

AS 91101 - Produce a selection of crafted and controlled writing (2.4A)

AS 91101 - Produce a selection of crafted and controlled writing (2.B)

AS 91102 - Construct and deliver a crafted and controlled oral text (2.5)

AS 91103 - Create a crafted and controlled visual and verbal text (2.6)

AS 91104 - Analyse significant connections across texts, supported by evidence (2.7)

AS 91105 - Use information literacy skills to form developed conclusion(s) (2.8)

AS 91106 - Form developed personal responses to independently read texts supported by evidence (2.9)

AS 91107 - Analyse aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close viewing and/or listening, supported by evidence (2.10)

Level 2 English exams and exemplars (external link)

Level 2 English assessment reports and schedules (external link)

AS 91475 - Produce a selection of fluent and coherent writing which develops, sustains, and structures ideas (3.4A)

AS 91475 - Produce a selection of fluent and coherent writing which develops, sustains, and structures ideas (3.4B)

AS 91476 - Create and deliver a fluent and coherent oral text which develops, sustains, and structures ideas (3.5)

AS 91477 - Create and deliver a fluent and coherent visual text which develops, sustains, and structures ideas using verbal and visual language (3.6A)

AS 91477 - Create and deliver a fluent and coherent visual text which develops, sustains, and structures ideas using verbal and visual language (3.6B)

AS 91478 - Respond critically to significant connections across texts, supported by evidence (3.7)

AS 91479 - Develop an informed understanding of literature and/or language using critical texts (3.8)

AS 91480 - Respond critically to significant aspects of visual and/or oral text(s) through close reading, supported by evidence (3.9)

Level 3 English exams and exemplars (external link)

Level 3 English assessment reports and schedules (external link)

See all subjects

Looking to publish? Meet your dream editor, designer and marketer on Reedsy.

Find the perfect editor for your next book

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Guides • Understanding Publishing

Last updated on Feb 14, 2023

10 Types of Creative Writing (with Examples You’ll Love)

A lot falls under the term ‘creative writing’: poetry, short fiction, plays, novels, personal essays, and songs, to name just a few. By virtue of the creativity that characterizes it, creative writing is an extremely versatile art. So instead of defining what creative writing is , it may be easier to understand what it does by looking at examples that demonstrate the sheer range of styles and genres under its vast umbrella.

To that end, we’ve collected a non-exhaustive list of works across multiple formats that have inspired the writers here at Reedsy. With 20 different works to explore, we hope they will inspire you, too. 

People have been writing creatively for almost as long as we have been able to hold pens. Just think of long-form epic poems like The Odyssey or, later, the Cantar de Mio Cid — some of the earliest recorded writings of their kind. 

Poetry is also a great place to start if you want to dip your own pen into the inkwell of creative writing. It can be as short or long as you want (you don’t have to write an epic of Homeric proportions), encourages you to build your observation skills, and often speaks from a single point of view . 

Here are a few examples:

“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.

This classic poem by Romantic poet Percy Shelley (also known as Mary Shelley’s husband) is all about legacy. What do we leave behind? How will we be remembered? The great king Ozymandias built himself a massive statue, proclaiming his might, but the irony is that his statue doesn’t survive the ravages of time. By framing this poem as told to him by a “traveller from an antique land,” Shelley effectively turns this into a story. Along with the careful use of juxtaposition to create irony, this poem accomplishes a lot in just a few lines. 

“Trying to Raise the Dead” by Dorianne Laux

 A direction. An object. My love, it needs a place to rest. Say anything. I’m listening. I’m ready to believe. Even lies, I don’t care.

Poetry is cherished for its ability to evoke strong emotions from the reader using very few words which is exactly what Dorianne Laux does in “ Trying to Raise the Dead .” With vivid imagery that underscores the painful yearning of the narrator, she transports us to a private nighttime scene as the narrator sneaks away from a party to pray to someone they’ve lost. We ache for their loss and how badly they want their lost loved one to acknowledge them in some way. It’s truly a masterclass on how writing can be used to portray emotions. 

If you find yourself inspired to try out some poetry — and maybe even get it published — check out these poetry layouts that can elevate your verse!

Song Lyrics

Poetry’s closely related cousin, song lyrics are another great way to flex your creative writing muscles. You not only have to find the perfect rhyme scheme but also match it to the rhythm of the music. This can be a great challenge for an experienced poet or the musically inclined. 

To see how music can add something extra to your poetry, check out these two examples:

“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

 You say I took the name in vain I don't even know the name But if I did, well, really, what's it to ya? There's a blaze of light in every word It doesn't matter which you heard The holy or the broken Hallelujah 

Metaphors are commonplace in almost every kind of creative writing, but will often take center stage in shorter works like poetry and songs. At the slightest mention, they invite the listener to bring their emotional or cultural experience to the piece, allowing the writer to express more with fewer words while also giving it a deeper meaning. If a whole song is couched in metaphor, you might even be able to find multiple meanings to it, like in Leonard Cohen’s “ Hallelujah .” While Cohen’s Biblical references create a song that, on the surface, seems like it’s about a struggle with religion, the ambiguity of the lyrics has allowed it to be seen as a song about a complicated romantic relationship. 

“I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie

 ​​If Heaven and Hell decide that they both are satisfied Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks Then I'll follow you into the dark

You can think of song lyrics as poetry set to music. They manage to do many of the same things their literary counterparts do — including tugging on your heartstrings. Death Cab for Cutie’s incredibly popular indie rock ballad is about the singer’s deep devotion to his lover. While some might find the song a bit too dark and macabre, its melancholy tune and poignant lyrics remind us that love can endure beyond death.

Plays and Screenplays

From the short form of poetry, we move into the world of drama — also known as the play. This form is as old as the poem, stretching back to the works of ancient Greek playwrights like Sophocles, who adapted the myths of their day into dramatic form. The stage play (and the more modern screenplay) gives the words on the page a literal human voice, bringing life to a story and its characters entirely through dialogue. 

Interested to see what that looks like? Take a look at these examples:

All My Sons by Arthur Miller

“I know you're no worse than most men but I thought you were better. I never saw you as a man. I saw you as my father.” 

Arthur Miller acts as a bridge between the classic and the new, creating 20th century tragedies that take place in living rooms and backyard instead of royal courts, so we had to include his breakout hit on this list. Set in the backyard of an all-American family in the summer of 1946, this tragedy manages to communicate family tensions in an unimaginable scale, building up to an intense climax reminiscent of classical drama. 

💡 Read more about Arthur Miller and classical influences in our breakdown of Freytag’s pyramid . 

“Everything is Fine” by Michael Schur ( The Good Place )

“Well, then this system sucks. What...one in a million gets to live in paradise and everyone else is tortured for eternity? Come on! I mean, I wasn't freaking Gandhi, but I was okay. I was a medium person. I should get to spend eternity in a medium place! Like Cincinnati. Everyone who wasn't perfect but wasn't terrible should get to spend eternity in Cincinnati.” 

A screenplay, especially a TV pilot, is like a mini-play, but with the extra job of convincing an audience that they want to watch a hundred more episodes of the show. Blending moral philosophy with comedy, The Good Place is a fun hang-out show set in the afterlife that asks some big questions about what it means to be good. 

It follows Eleanor Shellstrop, an incredibly imperfect woman from Arizona who wakes up in ‘The Good Place’ and realizes that there’s been a cosmic mixup. Determined not to lose her place in paradise, she recruits her “soulmate,” a former ethics professor, to teach her philosophy with the hope that she can learn to be a good person and keep up her charade of being an upstanding citizen. The pilot does a superb job of setting up the stakes, the story, and the characters, while smuggling in deep philosophical ideas.

Personal essays

Our first foray into nonfiction on this list is the personal essay. As its name suggests, these stories are in some way autobiographical — concerned with the author’s life and experiences. But don’t be fooled by the realistic component. These essays can take any shape or form, from comics to diary entries to recipes and anything else you can imagine. Typically zeroing in on a single issue, they allow you to explore your life and prove that the personal can be universal.

Here are a couple of fantastic examples:

“On Selling Your First Novel After 11 Years” by Min Jin Lee (Literary Hub)

There was so much to learn and practice, but I began to see the prose in verse and the verse in prose. Patterns surfaced in poems, stories, and plays. There was music in sentences and paragraphs. I could hear the silences in a sentence. All this schooling was like getting x-ray vision and animal-like hearing. 

This deeply honest personal essay by Pachinko author Min Jin Lee is an account of her eleven-year struggle to publish her first novel . Like all good writing, it is intensely focused on personal emotional details. While grounded in the specifics of the author's personal journey, it embodies an experience that is absolutely universal: that of difficulty and adversity met by eventual success. 

“A Cyclist on the English Landscape” by Roff Smith (New York Times)

These images, though, aren’t meant to be about me. They’re meant to represent a cyclist on the landscape, anybody — you, perhaps. 

Roff Smith’s gorgeous photo essay for the NYT is a testament to the power of creatively combining visuals with text. Here, photographs of Smith atop a bike are far from simply ornamental. They’re integral to the ruminative mood of the essay, as essential as the writing. Though Smith places his work at the crosscurrents of various aesthetic influences (such as the painter Edward Hopper), what stands out the most in this taciturn, thoughtful piece of writing is his use of the second person to address the reader directly. Suddenly, the writer steps out of the body of the essay and makes eye contact with the reader. The reader is now part of the story as a second character, finally entering the picture.

Short Fiction

The short story is the happy medium of fiction writing. These bite-sized narratives can be devoured in a single sitting and still leave you reeling. Sometimes viewed as a stepping stone to novel writing, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Short story writing is an art all its own. The limited length means every word counts and there’s no better way to see that than with these two examples:

“An MFA Story” by Paul Dalla Rosa (Electric Literature)

At Starbucks, I remembered a reading Zhen had given, a reading organized by the program’s faculty. I had not wanted to go but did. In the bar, he read, "I wrote this in a Starbucks in Shanghai. On the bank of the Huangpu." It wasn’t an aside or introduction. It was two lines of the poem. I was in a Starbucks and I wasn’t writing any poems. I wasn’t writing anything. 

This short story is a delightfully metafictional tale about the struggles of being a writer in New York. From paying the bills to facing criticism in a writing workshop and envying more productive writers, Paul Dalla Rosa’s story is a clever satire of the tribulations involved in the writing profession, and all the contradictions embodied by systemic creativity (as famously laid out in Mark McGurl’s The Program Era ). What’s more, this story is an excellent example of something that often happens in creative writing: a writer casting light on the private thoughts or moments of doubt we don’t admit to or openly talk about. 

“Flowering Walrus” by Scott Skinner (Reedsy)

I tell him they’d been there a month at least, and he looks concerned. He has my tongue on a tissue paper and is gripping its sides with his pointer and thumb. My tongue has never spent much time outside of my mouth, and I imagine it as a walrus basking in the rays of the dental light. My walrus is not well. 

A winner of Reedsy’s weekly Prompts writing contest, ‘ Flowering Walrus ’ is a story that balances the trivial and the serious well. In the pauses between its excellent, natural dialogue , the story manages to scatter the fear and sadness of bad medical news, as the protagonist hides his worries from his wife and daughter. Rich in subtext, these silences grow and resonate with the readers.

Want to give short story writing a go? Give our free course a go!

FREE COURSE

How to Craft a Killer Short Story

From pacing to character development, master the elements of short fiction.

Perhaps the thing that first comes to mind when talking about creative writing, novels are a form of fiction that many people know and love but writers sometimes find intimidating. The good news is that novels are nothing but one word put after another, like any other piece of writing, but expanded and put into a flowing narrative. Piece of cake, right?

To get an idea of the format’s breadth of scope, take a look at these two (very different) satirical novels: 

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

I wished I was back in the convenience store where I was valued as a working member of staff and things weren’t as complicated as this. Once we donned our uniforms, we were all equals regardless of gender, age, or nationality — all simply store workers. 

Keiko, a thirty-six-year-old convenience store employee, finds comfort and happiness in the strict, uneventful routine of the shop’s daily operations. A funny, satirical, but simultaneously unnerving examination of the social structures we take for granted, Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman is deeply original and lingers with the reader long after they’ve put it down.

Erasure by Percival Everett

The hard, gritty truth of the matter is that I hardly ever think about race. Those times when I did think about it a lot I did so because of my guilt for not thinking about it.  

Erasure is a truly accomplished satire of the publishing industry’s tendency to essentialize African American authors and their writing. Everett’s protagonist is a writer whose work doesn’t fit with what publishers expect from him — work that describes the “African American experience” — so he writes a parody novel about life in the ghetto. The publishers go crazy for it and, to the protagonist’s horror, it becomes the next big thing. This sophisticated novel is both ironic and tender, leaving its readers with much food for thought.

Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction is pretty broad: it applies to anything that does not claim to be fictional (although the rise of autofiction has definitely blurred the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction). It encompasses everything from personal essays and memoirs to humor writing, and they range in length from blog posts to full-length books. The defining characteristic of this massive genre is that it takes the world or the author’s experience and turns it into a narrative that a reader can follow along with.

Here, we want to focus on novel-length works that dig deep into their respective topics. While very different, these two examples truly show the breadth and depth of possibility of creative nonfiction:

Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward

Men’s bodies litter my family history. The pain of the women they left behind pulls them from the beyond, makes them appear as ghosts. In death, they transcend the circumstances of this place that I love and hate all at once and become supernatural. 

Writer Jesmyn Ward recounts the deaths of five men from her rural Mississippi community in as many years. In her award-winning memoir , she delves into the lives of the friends and family she lost and tries to find some sense among the tragedy. Working backwards across five years, she questions why this had to happen over and over again, and slowly unveils the long history of racism and poverty that rules rural Black communities. Moving and emotionally raw, Men We Reaped is an indictment of a cruel system and the story of a woman's grief and rage as she tries to navigate it.

Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker

He believed that wine could reshape someone’s life. That’s why he preferred buying bottles to splurging on sweaters. Sweaters were things. Bottles of wine, said Morgan, “are ways that my humanity will be changed.” 

In this work of immersive journalism , Bianca Bosker leaves behind her life as a tech journalist to explore the world of wine. Becoming a “cork dork” takes her everywhere from New York’s most refined restaurants to science labs while she learns what it takes to be a sommelier and a true wine obsessive. This funny and entertaining trip through the past and present of wine-making and tasting is sure to leave you better informed and wishing you, too, could leave your life behind for one devoted to wine. 

Illustrated Narratives (Comics, graphic novels)

Once relegated to the “funny pages”, the past forty years of comics history have proven it to be a serious medium. Comics have transformed from the early days of Jack Kirby’s superheroes into a medium where almost every genre is represented. Humorous one-shots in the Sunday papers stand alongside illustrated memoirs, horror, fantasy, and just about anything else you can imagine. This type of visual storytelling lets the writer and artist get creative with perspective, tone, and so much more. For two very different, though equally entertaining, examples, check these out:

Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson

"Life is like topography, Hobbes. There are summits of happiness and success, flat stretches of boring routine and valleys of frustration and failure." 

This beloved comic strip follows Calvin, a rambunctious six-year-old boy, and his stuffed tiger/imaginary friend, Hobbes. They get into all kinds of hijinks at school and at home, and muse on the world in the way only a six-year-old and an anthropomorphic tiger can. As laugh-out-loud funny as it is, Calvin & Hobbes ’ popularity persists as much for its whimsy as its use of humor to comment on life, childhood, adulthood, and everything in between. 

From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell 

"I shall tell you where we are. We're in the most extreme and utter region of the human mind. A dim, subconscious underworld. A radiant abyss where men meet themselves. Hell, Netley. We're in Hell." 

Comics aren't just the realm of superheroes and one-joke strips, as Alan Moore proves in this serialized graphic novel released between 1989 and 1998. A meticulously researched alternative history of Victorian London’s Ripper killings, this macabre story pulls no punches. Fact and fiction blend into a world where the Royal Family is involved in a dark conspiracy and Freemasons lurk on the sidelines. It’s a surreal mad-cap adventure that’s unsettling in the best way possible. 

Video Games and RPGs

Probably the least expected entry on this list, we thought that video games and RPGs also deserved a mention — and some well-earned recognition for the intricate storytelling that goes into creating them. 

Essentially gamified adventure stories, without attention to plot, characters, and a narrative arc, these games would lose a lot of their charm, so let’s look at two examples where the creative writing really shines through: 

80 Days by inkle studios

"It was a triumph of invention over nature, and will almost certainly disappear into the dust once more in the next fifty years." 

Named Time Magazine ’s game of the year in 2014, this narrative adventure is based on Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. The player is cast as the novel’s narrator, Passpartout, and tasked with circumnavigating the globe in service of their employer, Phileas Fogg. Set in an alternate steampunk Victorian era, the game uses its globe-trotting to comment on the colonialist fantasies inherent in the original novel and its time period. On a storytelling level, the choose-your-own-adventure style means no two players’ journeys will be the same. This innovative approach to a classic novel shows the potential of video games as a storytelling medium, truly making the player part of the story. 

What Remains of Edith Finch by Giant Sparrow

"If we lived forever, maybe we'd have time to understand things. But as it is, I think the best we can do is try to open our eyes, and appreciate how strange and brief all of this is." 

This video game casts the player as 17-year-old Edith Finch. Returning to her family’s home on an island in the Pacific northwest, Edith explores the vast house and tries to figure out why she’s the only one of her family left alive. The story of each family member is revealed as you make your way through the house, slowly unpacking the tragic fate of the Finches. Eerie and immersive, this first-person exploration game uses the medium to tell a series of truly unique tales. 

Fun and breezy on the surface, humor is often recognized as one of the trickiest forms of creative writing. After all, while you can see the artistic value in a piece of prose that you don’t necessarily enjoy, if a joke isn’t funny, you could say that it’s objectively failed.

With that said, it’s far from an impossible task, and many have succeeded in bringing smiles to their readers’ faces through their writing. Here are two examples:

‘How You Hope Your Extended Family Will React When You Explain Your Job to Them’ by Mike Lacher (McSweeney’s Internet Tendency)

“Is it true you don’t have desks?” your grandmother will ask. You will nod again and crack open a can of Country Time Lemonade. “My stars,” she will say, “it must be so wonderful to not have a traditional office and instead share a bistro-esque coworking space.” 

Satire and parody make up a whole subgenre of creative writing, and websites like McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and The Onion consistently hit the mark with their parodies of magazine publishing and news media. This particular example finds humor in the divide between traditional family expectations and contemporary, ‘trendy’ work cultures. Playing on the inherent silliness of today’s tech-forward middle-class jobs, this witty piece imagines a scenario where the writer’s family fully understands what they do — and are enthralled to hear more. “‘Now is it true,’ your uncle will whisper, ‘that you’ve got a potential investment from one of the founders of I Can Haz Cheezburger?’”

‘Not a Foodie’ by Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell (Electric Literature)

I’m not a foodie, I never have been, and I know, in my heart, I never will be. 

Highlighting what she sees as an unbearable social obsession with food , in this comic Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell takes a hilarious stand against the importance of food. From the writer’s courageous thesis (“I think there are more exciting things to talk about, and focus on in life, than what’s for dinner”) to the amusing appearance of family members and the narrator’s partner, ‘Not a Foodie’ demonstrates that even a seemingly mundane pet peeve can be approached creatively — and even reveal something profound about life.

We hope this list inspires you with your own writing. If there’s one thing you take away from this post, let it be that there is no limit to what you can write about or how you can write about it. 

In the next part of this guide, we'll drill down into the fascinating world of creative nonfiction.

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

We made a writing app for you

Yes, you! Write. Format. Export for ebook and print. 100% free, always.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

Creative Writing Lesson Plans: Week One

Looking for creative writing lesson plans? I am developing creative writing lesson ideas! 

I’ve written and revamped my creative writing lesson plans and learned that the first week is vital in establishing a community of writers, in outlining expectations, and in working with a new class.

What are some good creative writing exercises?

Some good creative writing exercises include writing prompts, free writing, character development exercises, and fun writing games.

The first week, though, we establish trust—and then we begin powerful creative writing exercises to engage young writers and our community.

How can add encouragement in creative writing lesson plans?

I’ve found students are shy about writing creatively, about sharing pieces of themselves. A large part of the first week of class is setting the atmosphere, of showing everyone they are free to create. And! These concepts will apply to most writing lesson plans for secondary students.

Feel free to give me feedback and borrow all that you need! Below, find my detailed my day-by-day progression for creative writing lesson plans  for week one.

Creative Writing Lesson Day One: Sharing my vision

Comfort matters for young writers. I’m not a huge “ice breaker” type of teacher—I build relationships slowly. Still, to get student writing, we must establish that everyone is safe to explore, to write, to error.

Here are some ideas.

Tone and attitude

For day one with any lesson plan for creative writing, I think it is important to set the tone, to immediately establish what I want from my creative writing students. And that is…

them not to write for me, but for them. I don’t want them writing what they think I want them to write.

Does that make sense? Limitations hurt young writers. My overall tone and attitude toward young writers is that we will work together, create and write together, provide feedback, and invest in ourselves. Older kiddos think that they must provide teachers with the “correct” writing. In such a course, restrictions and boundaries largely go out the window.

Plus, I specifically outline what I believe they can produce in a presentation to set people at ease.

The presentation covers expectations for the class. As the teacher, I am a sort of writing coach with ideas that will not work for everyone. Writers should explore different methods and realize what works for them. First, not everyone will appreciate every type of writing—which is fine. But as a writing community, we must accept that we may not be the target audience for every piece of work.

Therefore, respect is a large component of the class. Be sure to outline what interactions you find acceptable within your classroom community.

Next, as their writing coach, I plan to provide ideas and tools for use. Their job is to decide what tools work for their creative endeavors. My overall message is uplifting and encouraging.

Finally, when we finish, I share the presentation with students so they can consult it throughout the semester. The presentation works nicely for meet-the-teacher night, too!

After covering classroom procedures and rules, I show students a TED Talk. We watch The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Adichie. My goal is to show students that I don’t have a predetermined idea concerning what they should write. This discussion takes the rest of the class period.

Establishing comfort and excitement precedents my other creative writing activities. Personalize your “vision” activities for your lessons in creative writing. Honestly, doing this pre-work builds relationships with students and creates a positive classroom atmosphere.

Creative Writing Lesson Day Two: Activating prior knowledge

Students possess prior knowledge concerning creative writing, but they might not consider that. Students should realize that they know what constitutes a great story. They might not realize that yet. An easy lesson plan for creative writing that will pay off later is to activate prior knowledge. Brainstorm creative, memorable, unforgettable stories with students. Share your thoughts too! You will start to build relationships with students who share the same tastes as you (and those that are completely different!).

Activation activity

During this activity, I want to see how students work together, and I want to build a rapport with students. Additionally, activating prior knowledge provides a smooth transition into other creative writing activities.

This creative writing activity is simple:

I ask students to tell me memorable stories—books, play, tv shows, movies—and I write them on the board. I add and veto as appropriate. Normally doing these classroom discussions, we dive deeper into comedies and creative nonfiction. Sometimes as we work, I ask students to research certain stories and definitions. I normally take a picture of our work so that I can build creative writing lessons from students’ interests.

This takes longer than you might think, but I like that aspect. This information can help me shape my future lessons.

With about twenty minutes left in class, I ask students to form small groups. I want them to derive what makes these stories memorable. Since students complete group and partner activities in this class, I also watch and see how they interact.

Students often draw conclusions about what makes a story memorable:

• Realistic or true-to-life characters.
• Meaningful themes.
• Funny or sad events.

All of this information will be used later as students work on their own writing. Many times, my creative writing lessons overlap, especially concerning the feedback from young writers.

Creative Writing Lesson Day Three: Brainstorming and a graphic organizer

From building creative writing activities and implementing them, I now realize that students think they will sit and write. Ta-da!  After all, this isn’t academic writing. Coaching creative writing students is part of the process.

Young writers must accept that a first draft is simply that, a first draft. Building a project requires thought and mistakes. (Any writing endeavor does, really.) Students hear ‘creative writing’ and they think… easy. Therefore, a first week lesson plan for creative writing should touch on what creativity is.

Really, creativity is everywhere. We complete a graphic organizer titled, “Where is Creativity?” Students brainstorm familiar areas that they may not realize have such pieces.

The ideas they compile stir all sorts of conversations:

• Restaurants
• Movie theaters
• Amusement parks

By completing this graphic organizer, we discuss how creativity surrounds us, how we can incorporate different pieces in our writing, and how different areas influence our processes.

Creative Writing Lesson, Days Four and Five: Creative Nonfiction

Students need practice writing, and they need to understand that they will not use every word they write. Cutting out lines is painful for them! Often, a lesson plan for creative writing involves providing time for meaningful writing.

For two days, we study and discuss creative nonfiction. Students start by reading an overview of creative nonfiction . (If you need mentor texts, that website has some as well.) When I have books available, I show the class examples of creative nonfiction.

We then continue through elements of a narrative . Classes are sometimes surprised that a narrative can be nonfiction.

The narrative writing is our first large project. As we continue, students are responsible for smaller projects as well. This keeps them writing most days.

Overall, my students and I work together during the first week of any creative writing class. I encourage them to write, and I cheer on their progress. My message to classes is that their writing has value, and an audience exists for their creations.

And that is my week one! The quick recap:

Week One Creative Writing Lesson Plans

Monday: Rules, procedures, TED Talk, discussion.

Tuesday: Prior knowledge—brainstorm the modeling of memorable stories. Draw conclusions about storytelling with anchor charts. Build community through common knowledge.

Wednesday: Graphic organizer.

Thursday and Friday: Creative nonfiction. Start narrative writing.

Students do well with this small assignment for the second week, and then we move to longer creative writing assignments . When classesexperience success with their first assignment, you can start constructive editing and revising with them as the class continues.

These creative writing activities should be easy implement and personalize for your students.

Would you like access to our free library of downloads?

Marketing Permissions

We will send you emails, but we will never sell your address.

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected] . We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices.

Are you interested in more creative writing lesson ideas? My Facebook page has interactive educators who love to discuss creative writing for middle school and high school creative writing lesson plans. Join us!

creative writing creative writing activities

Try out a Digital resource for free - click here to email us

Item added to your cart

Level 1 creative writing 1.4 learning workbook.

Mary Cleland and Angela Fitchett

ISBN: 978-0-908315-73-4

Couldn't load pickup availability

Based on our well-known Level 1 English Learning Workbook and Level 1 English Internals Learning Workbook, this book covers the internally assessed Level 1 English Achievement Standard 1.4 (90052) .

It features brief notes, clear explanations, numerous worked examples and relevant exercises with answers. Use to support classroom work, to help with internal assessments and to revise for end-of-year exams. 

Published: 05/2016

View contents page View a sample

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.

The website is not compatible for the version of the browser you are using. Not all the functionality may be available. Please upgrade your browser to the latest version.

• Social Media
• Access Points
• Print/Export Standards
• Computer Science Standards
• Coding Scheme
• B.E.S.T. Standards
• Standards Viewer App
• Course Descriptions
• Graduation Requirements
• Course Reports
• Gifted Coursework
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs
• Browse/Search

Original Student Tutorials

• MEAs - STEM Lessons
• Perspectives STEM Videos
• STEM Reading Resources
• Math Formative Assessments
• Our Review Process
• Professional Development Programs
• iCPALMS Tools
• Resource Development Programs
• Partnership Programs
• User Testimonials
• iCPALMS Account

• Account Information Profile and Notification Settings
• Administration Manage Site Features
• Recycle Bin Delete Items From Your Account
• Not a member yet? SIGN UP
• Account Information
• Administration
• Recycle Bin
• Home of CPALMS
• Standards Info. & Resources
• Course Descriptions & Directory
• Resources Vetted by Peers & Experts
• PD Programs Self-paced Training
• About CPALMS Initiatives & Partnerships
• iCPALMS Florida's Platform

Creative Writing 1   (#1009320)

• 2014 - 2015
• 2015 - 2021
• 2021 - And Beyond (current)

Resources related to the standards in this course

Click on the individual standards to find resources, loading...., course standards, general course information and notes, version description.

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop and use writing and language skills for creative expression in a variety of literary forms. Studying and modeling a variety of genres will be emphasized at this level of creative writing.

General Notes

The content should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• text craft and structure, including line length and placement
• effects of figurative, denotative, and connotative language choice
• power and impact of appropriate voice and/or tone
• story structure, sentence structure, and grammatical choices
• reciprocal nature of content and form in development of a personal style
• personal and dramatic narratives
• various poetic forms
• screenplays and multimedia productions
• multi-genre and creative non-fiction selections
• digital writing platforms
• effective listening, speaking, and viewing strategies with emphasis on the use of evidence to support or refute a claim in multimedia presentations, class discussions, and extended text discussions
• collaboration amongst peers, especially regarding peer reviews of multiple drafts

Important Note: Reading and writing courses should not be used in place of English language arts courses; reading and writing courses are intended to be used to supplement further study in English language arts.

Florida’s Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards This course includes Florida’s B.E.S.T. ELA Expectations (EE) and Mathematical Thinking and Reasoning Standards (MTRs) for students. Florida educators should intentionally embed these standards within the content and their instruction as applicable. For guidance on the implementation of the EEs and MTRs, please visit  https://www.cpalms.org/Standards/BEST_Standards.aspx  and select the appropriate B.E.S.T. Standards package.

English Language Development ELD Standards Special Notes Section: Teachers are required to provide listening, speaking, reading and writing instruction that allows English language learners (ELL) to communicate information, ideas and concepts for academic success in the content area of Language Arts. For the given level of English language proficiency and with visual, graphic, or interactive support, students will interact with grade level words, expressions, sentences and discourse to process or produce language necessary for academic success. The ELD standard should specify a relevant content area concept or topic of study chosen by curriculum developers and teachers which maximizes an ELL’s need for communication and social skills. To access an ELL supporting document which delineates performance definitions and descriptors, please click on the following link: https://cpalmsmediaprod.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/docs/standards/eld/la.pdf

General Information

Educator certifications, student resources.

Explore and compare objects in the solar system, including planets, moons, the Sun, comets, and asteroids, with this interactive research page.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Explore how weathering and erosion may have affected Pnyx Hill, the ancient Greek democratic meeting place which influenced our modern government with this interactive tutorial.

Examine the use of symbolism within the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" and explain how it contributes to the story’s meaning. In this interactive tutorial, you’ll also learn about the specific motif that occurs throughout the story and see how it adds another layer of meaning to the text.

This is Part Three of a three-part tutorial series. Be sure to complete Parts One and Two before starting this one.

Click HERE to launch Part One.

Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Analyze how the author uses various narrative techniques, includuing the manipulation of time, to build suspense in the classic short story "The Most Dangerous Game" with this interactive tutorial.

This is part two in a three-part series. Be sure to complete all three parts! 

Click HERE to launch Part Three.

Learn how authors create tension and suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats in the classic short story "The Most Dangerous Game." In this interactive tutorial series, you'll analyze how authors create tension and suspense by using four narrative techniques: exposition , foreshadowing , pacing , and the manipulation of time . In Part One, we'll just cover exposition , foreshadowing , and pacing . 

This is part one in a three-part series. Make sure to complete all three parts!

Explore excerpts from the extraordinary autobiography  Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass , as you examine the author's purpose for writing and his use of the problem and solution text structure. By the end of this interactive tutorial, you should be able to explain how Douglass uses the problem and solution text structure in these excerpts to convey his purpose for writing.

Continue to study George Vest's "Eulogy of the Dog" speech and his use of rhetorical appeals. In Part Two of this two-part series, you'll identify his use of ethos and pathos throughout his speech.

Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part One.

Read George Vest's "Eulogy of the Dog" speech in this two-part interactive tutorial. In this series, you'll identify and examine Vest's use of ethos, pathos, and logos in his speech. In Part One, you'll identify Vest's use of logos in the first part of his speech. In Part Two, you'll identify his use of ethos and pathos throughout his speech. 

Make sure to complete both part of this series! Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Continue to study epic similes in excerpts from The Iliad in Part Two of this two-part series. In Part Two, you'll learn about mood and how the language of an epic simile produces a specified mood in excerpts from The Iliad .

Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to view "That's So Epic: How Epic Similes Contribute to Mood (Part One)."

Learn about how epic similes create mood in a text, specifically in excerpts from The Iliad , in this two-part series.

In Part One, you'll define epic simile, identify epic similes based on defined characteristics, and explain the comparison created in an epic simile.

In Part Two, you'll learn about mood and how the language of an epic simile produces a specified mood in excerpts from The Iliad . Make sure to complete both parts!

Click HERE to view "That's So Epic: How Epic Similes Contribute to Mood (Part Two)." 

Continue to read the famous short story “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov and explore the impact of a fifteen-year bet made between a lawyer and a banker. In Part Two, you’ll cite textual evidence that supports an analysis of what the text states explicitly, or directly. You'll also make inferences, support them with textual evidence, and use them to explain how the bet transformed the lawyer and the banker by the end of the story.

Make sure to complete Part One before  beginning Part Two. Click  HERE  to view Part One.

Make sure to complete Part Three after you finish Part Two. Click HERE to view "Risky Betting: Analyzing a Universal Theme (Part Three)." 

Examine how the symbolism in Saki's short story "The Interlopers" contributes to the overall mood of the text. This interactive tutorial is Part Two in a two-part series. Be sure to complete Part One first. Click HERE  to view Part One.

Read the famous short story “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov and explore the impact of a fifteen-year bet made between a lawyer and a banker in this three-part tutorial series.

In Part One, you’ll cite textual evidence that supports an analysis of what the text states explicitly, or directly, and make inferences and support them with textual evidence. By the end of Part One, you should be able to make three inferences about how the bet has transformed the lawyer by the middle of the story and support your inferences with textual evidence.

Make sure to complete all three parts!

Click HERE to launch "Risky Betting: Text Evidence and Inferences (Part Two)."

Click HERE to launch "Risky Betting: Analyzing a Universal Theme (Part Three)." 

Identify rhyme, alliteration, and repetition in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" and analyze how he used these sound devices to affect the poem in this interactive tutorial.

Study excerpts from the classic American novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott in this interactive English Language Arts tutorial. Using excerpts from chapter eight of  Little Women, you'll identify key characters and their actions. You'll also explain how interactions between characters contributes to the development of the plot. 

In Part Two of this two-part series, read more excerpts from Bram Stoker’s famous novel  Dracula .  Y ou'll continue to examine how the author creates suspense using the narrative techniques of exposition, foreshadowing, and imagery. 

Read excerpts from Bram Stoker’s famous novel  Dracula .   In this interactive tutorial, you'll examine how the author creates suspense using the narrative techniques of exposition, foreshadowing, and imagery. 

 Make sure to complete both parts of this series! Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Examine how allusions contribute to meaning in excerpts from O. Henry's classic American short story “The Gift of the Magi." In this interactive tutorial, you'll determine how allusions in the text better develop the key story elements of setting, characters, and conflict and explain how the allusion to the Magi contributes to the story’s main message about what it means to give a gift.

Learn to identify imagery in William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 18" and explain how that imagery contributes to the poem's meaning with this interactive tutorial.

Study William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 18" to determine and compare two universal themes and how they are developed throughout the sonnet. 

Explore the form and meaning of William Shakespeare's “Sonnet 18.”  In this interactive tutorial, you’ll examine how specific words and phrases contribute to meaning in the sonnet, select the features of a Shakespearean sonnet in the poem, identify the solution to a problem, and explain how the form of a Shakespearean sonnet contributes to the meaning of "Sonnet 18."

Analyze how O. Henry uses details to address the topics of value, sacrifice, and love in his famous short story, "The Gift of the Magi." In this interactive tutorial, you'll also determine two universal themes of the story. 

Explore key story elements in more excerpts from the classic American short story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry.

In Part Two of this two-part series, you'll analyze how important information about two main characters is revealed through the context of the story’s setting and events in the plot. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to explain how character development, setting, and plot interact in "The Gift of the Magi."

Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE  to launch Part One. 

Explore key story elements in the classic American short story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry. Throughout this two-part tutorial, you'll analyze how important information about two main characters is revealed through the context of the story’s setting and events in the plot. By the end of this tutorial series, you should be able to explain how character development, setting, and plot interact in excerpts from this short story.

Make sure to complete both parts! Click HERE  to view "How Story Elements Interact in 'The Gift of the Magi' -- Part Two."

Continue to analyze William Wordsworth's poem "Lines Written in Early Spring" to determine a universal theme and explain how it was developed throughout the poem.

This interactive tutorial is part 2 of a three-part series. Make sure to complete all three parts. 

• Click HERE  to view "Analyzing Poems of Spring -- Part One: Identifying Topics in a Wordsworth Poem."  
• Click HERE  to view "Analyzing Poems of Spring -- Part Three: Comparing Universal Themes."

Analyze and compare the universal themes in two of Wordsworth's poems—"Lines Written in Early Spring" and "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud"—in this interactive tutorial.

This is the final part of a three-part series. Make sure to complete parts one and two first!

• Click HERE  to open "Analyzing Poems of Spring -- Part One: Identifying Topics in a Wordsworth Poem." 
• Click HERE   to open "Analyzing Poems of Spring -- Part Two: Universal Themes." 

Study William Wordsworth's poem "Lines Written in Early Spring" and identify multiple topics in the poem in this interactive tutorial. In subsequent tutorials, you'll determine a universal theme of this poem and then compare universal themes in two Wordsworth poems.

This is part 1 of a 3-part series. Make sure to complete all three parts! 

• Click HERE to view "Analyzing Poems of Spring -- Part Two: Universal Themes." 
• Click  HERE to view "Analyzing Poems of Spring -- Part Three: Comparing Universal Themes."

Explore two poems by Robert Frost: “Pasture” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” In this interactive tutorial, you’ll identify the author’s use of imagery in each poem and determine the mood that’s created in each poem. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to explain how imagery contributes to the mood of a poem.

Learn to distinguish between a gerund phrase that's used as a direct object and a gerund phrase that used as the object of the preposition. In this interactive tutorial, you'll also practice using gerund phrases as a direct object or the object of the preposition in sentences of your own. 

This tutorial is Part Two of a two-part series. Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE  to launch "Spice Up Your Writing Part One: Using Gerund Phrases as Subjects or Subject Complements." 

Read more from the fantasy novel The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald in Part Two of this three-part series. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to compare and contrast the archetypes of two characters in the novel.

Make sure to complete all three parts of this series in order to compare and contrast the use of archetypes in two texts.

Click HERE   to view "Archetypes -- Part One: Examining an Archetype in The Princess and the Goblin ."

Click HERE   to view "Archetypes -- Part Three: Comparing and Contrasting Archetypes in Two Fantasy Stories." 

Learn to determine the important traits of a main character named Princess Irene in excerpts from the fantasy novel  The Princess and the Goblin  by George MacDonald. In this interactive tutorial, you’ll also identify her archetype and explain how textual details about her character support her archetype.  

Click HERE   to view "Archetypes -- Part Two: Examining Archetypes in The Princess and the Goblin. "

Learn to identify aspects of setting and character as you analyze several excerpts from “The Yellow Wallpaper," a chilling short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman that explores the impact on its narrator of being confined to mostly one room. You'll also determine how the narrator’s descriptions of the story’s setting better reveal her emotional and mental state.

This interactive tutorial is Part One in a two-part series. By the end of Part Two, you should be able to explain how the narrator changes through her interaction with the setting. Click below to launch Part Two.

The Power to Cure or Impair: The Importance of Setting in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' -- Part Two  

Learn how figurative language—including personification, hyperbole, and imagery—creates mood using excerpts from the short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" in this interactive tutorial.

Continue to examine several excerpts from the chilling short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which explores the impact on its narrator of being confined to mostly one room. In Part Two of this tutorial series, you'll determine how the narrator’s descriptions of the story’s setting reveal its impact on her emotional and mental state. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to explain how the narrator changes through her interaction with the setting.

Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE  to launch "The Power to Cure or Impair: The Importance of Setting in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' -- Part One." 

Explore the mysterious poem “The House on the Hill” by Edwin Arlington Robinson in this interactive tutorial. As you explore the poem's message about the past, you’ll identify the features of a villanelle in the poem. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to explain how the form of a villanelle contributes to the poem's meaning.

Learn to distinguish between passive and active voice and how to revise sentences by changing them from passive to active voice in this magic-themed tutorial. 

Continue to explore the significance of the famous poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus, lines from which are engraved on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. 

In Part Two of this two-part series, you’ll identify the features of a sonnet in the poem "The New Colossus." By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to explain how the form of a sonnet contributes to the poem's meaning. 

Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two.

Click HERE   to launch "A Giant of Size and Power -- Part One: Exploring the Significance of 'The New Colossus.'"

Continue to examine how setting influences characters in excerpts from The Red Umbrella  by Christina Diaz Gonzalez with this interactive tutorial.

This is part 2 in a two-part series. Make sure to complete Part One first. Click HERE  to launch "Analyzing the Beginning of The Red Umbrella -- Part One: How Setting Influences Events." 

In Part One, explore the significance of the famous poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus, lines from which are engraved on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. 

This famous poem also happens to be in the form of a sonnet. In Part Two of this two-part series, you’ll identify the features of a sonnet in the poem. By the end of this tutorial series, you should be able to explain how the form of a sonnet contributes to the poem's meaning. Make sure to complete both parts!

Click  HERE to launch "A Giant of Size and Power -- Part Two: How the Form of a Sonnet Contributes to Meaning in 'The New Colossus.'"

Explore excerpts from the beginning of the historical fiction novel The Red Umbrella  by Christina Diaz Gonzalez in this two-part series. In Part One, you'll examine how setting influences events. In Part Two, you'll examine how setting influences characters.

Make sure to complete both parts! Click  HERE to launch Part Two.

Learn to distinguish between a gerund phrase that's used as a subject and one that's used as a subject complement. In this interactive tutorial, you'll also practice using gerund phrases as subjects or subject complements in sentences of your own. Using gerund phrases can add detail and variety to your writing.

This is Part One of a two-part series. Click HERE   to launch "Part Two: Using Gerund Phrases as Objects." 

This SaM-1 video provides the students with the optional "twist" for Lesson 17 and the Model Eliciting Activity (MEA) they have been working on in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit: Water Beach Vacation. 

To see all the lessons in the unit please visit  https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .

This video introduces the students to a Model Eliciting Activity (MEA) and concepts related to conducting experiments so they can apply what they learned about the changes water undergoes when it changes state.  This MEA provides students with an opportunity to develop a procedure based on evidence for selecting the most effective cooler.

This SaM-1 video is to be used with lesson 14 in the Grade 3 Physical Science Unit: Water Beach Vacation. To see all the lessons in the unit please visit  https://www.cpalms.org/page818.aspx .

Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. 

This interactive tutorial is Part Two in a two-part series. You should complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part One.

Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: simple past tense and past progressive tense. 

This interactive tutorial is Part One in a two-part series. In Part Two, you'll explore the use of past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. Make sure to complete both parts!

Learn how to use verb phrases in particular tenses to convey specific meanings. In this interactive tutorial, you'll explore the use of four verb tenses: simple future, future progressive, future perfect, and future perfect progressive. 

Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part Two, you'll work with three perfect tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect.  

We recommend that you complete Part One before starting Part Two. In Part One, you'll work with three simple tenses: past, present, and future. Click HERE to view Part One.

Learn how verbs and verb phrases can convey specific meanings through the use of three verb tenses--simple present, present progressive, and present perfect--in this interactive tutorial.

Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part One, you'll work with past tense, present tense, and future tense.

We recommend that you complete Part Two after Part One. In Part Two, you'll work with three tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. Click  HERE  to view Part Two.

Learn to enhance your writing by using phrases. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about absolute phrases and how they can add interest, depth, and variety to your writing.

Learn to enhance your writing by using phrases. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about adverb prepositional phrases. Using adverb prepositional phrases will help add interest, depth, and variety to your writing!

Learn to enhance your writing with two types of phrases that can function like adjectives in a sentence: the participle phrase and the prepositional phrase. In this interactive tutorial, you'll discover how phrases can help add detail and specificity to your writing.

Learn about parallel form in this interactive English Language Arts tutorial. In this tutorial, you'll use parallel form with lists in sentences, identify sentences that contain parallel form and sentences that contain faulty parallelism, and practice editing sentences that contain faulty parallelism. You'll also examine how parallel form can add smoothness, clarity, and gracefulness to your writing. 

Learn to enhance your writing by using prepositional phrases. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn how prepositional phrases add description and specificity and help make your writing more interesting.

Learn to enhance your writing by using noun phrases in this interactive tutorial. Although noun phrases can be used in many ways, here you'll learn how they can be used as the subject of a sentence or the object of a verb to add interest, detail, and specificity to your writing.

Learn 12 new academic vocabulary words in this interactive tutorial! You'll practice the words' synonyms, antonyms, parts of speech, and context clues in order to add them to your vocabulary.

Read and study excerpts from Willa Cather's classic novel  My Antonia  to analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding the selection of the narrator, where the story is set, and how the main character is introduced and developed. 

This interactive English Language Arts tutorial is Part Three of three. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

• PART ONE -- Analyzing the Impact of an Author's Choices
• PART TWO -- Analyzing the Impact of an Author's Choicesn Author's Choices

Learn to use commas correctly to set off an introductory clause, phrase, or word at the start of a sentence with this interactive tutorial.

Learn to use commas correctly with this interactive English Language Arts tutorial. You'll review a number of important comma rules, including when not to use a comma, and you'll learn to identify errors in comma usage. 

Analyze the impact of an author's choices using excerpts from Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia . In this series of interactive tutorials, you'll analyze the impact of an author's choices regarding the selection of the narrator, where the story is set, and how the main character is introduced and developed. 

This is the second tutorial in a three-part series. Make sure to complete all three parts. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

• PART THREE -- Analyzing the Impact of an Author's Choices

Learn about two mysterious punctuation marks: quotation marks and the dash. As you complete this interactive tutorial, you'll learn a number of important rules and guidelines to help you use them correctly.

This is Part Two of a two-part series.  Click HERE to launch Part One   to learn about the apostrophe and the ellipsis.

Explore Robert Frost's poem "Mending Wall" and examine words, phrases, and lines with multiple meanings. In this interactive tutorial, you'll analyze how these multiple meanings can affect a reader’s interpretation of the poem.

Learn about four mysterious punctuation marks in this two-part interactive tutorial. In Part One, you'll learn important rules and guidelines to help you correctly use the apostrophe and the ellipsis. 

In Part Two, you'll learn to correctly use quotation marks and the dash. Make sure to complete both parts! Click  HERE to open Part Two.

Read and study excerpts from Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia  to analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding the selection of the narrator, the setting, and how the main character is introduced and developed. 

This interactive tutorial is Part One of three-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.

• PART TWO -- Analyzing the Impact of an Author's Choices

Examine the topics of transformation and perfection as you read excerpts from the “Myth of Pygmalion” by Ovid and the short story “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. By the end of this two-part interactive tutorial series, you should be able to explain how the short story draws on and transforms source material from the original myth. 

This tutorial is the second in a two-part series.  Click HERE to launch Part One.

Examine the topics of transformation and perfection as you read excerpts from the “Myth of Pygmalion” by Ovid and the short story “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. By the end of this two-part interactive tutorial series, you should be able to explain how the short story draws on and transforms source material from the original myth.  

This tutorial is the first in a two-part series. Click HERE to launch Part Two .

Learn three rules for using commas correctly in your writing through use of this interactive English Language Arts tutorial. You'll learn how to join two independent clauses without creating a comma splice, how to identify and offset a nonessential clause in a sentence, and how to use the controversial Oxford comma. 

Learn more about that dreaded word-- plagiarism --in this interactive tutorial that's all about citing your sources, creating a Works Cited page, and avoiding academic dishonesty!

Learn about the ways to correctly use a colon in a sentence by exploring this interactive tutorial! We'll go over contexts where colon use is appropriate, and you'll learn guidelines for colon usage. You'll also learn several important rules for capitalization usage after a colon. By the end, you should be apply to apply these rules to correctly use a colon within a sentence. 

Examine some commonly confused pronouns that often trick people into believing that they have the same meaning when their meanings can be very different. This interactive tutorial will help you properly use the following pronouns: who, whom, which, that, their, there, they're.

Avoid "doppelganger danger" as you examine six pairs of commonly confused words in this interactive tutorial. Learn how to correctly use these commonly confused words to improve your language and writing skills.

Learn and practice how to use semicolons in this interactive tutorial. You'll learn three important rules for using the semicolon to join clauses together. By the end, you should be able to apply these three rules to correctly use a semicolon within a sentence.

Avoid "doppelganger danger" as you examine six pairs of commonly confused words. Learning how to correctly use these commonly confused words will help improve your writing and mastery of English.

Learn to differentiate the connotative and denotative meanings of words in context. In this interactive tutorial, you'll  study excerpts from “Total Eclipse,” an essay written by Annie Dillard. You will analyze Dillard’s word choices throughout portions of her essay to better understand their impact and meanings. 

Examine five pairs of commonly confused words in this interactive tutorial. This tutorial focuses on language and resolving issues of complex usage. You will examine pairs of words that are often confused in order to learn the correct use of each word. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to accurately use these ten commonly confused words. 

Avoid "doppelganger danger" as you examine fourteen homophones, which are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Learning how to use these homophones correctly in this interactive tutorial will help you avoid some of the most common usage mistakes.

Avoid "doppelganger danger" as you examine eleven homophones, which are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Learning how to use these homophones correctly in this interactive tutorial will help you avoid some of the most common usage mistakes.

Avoid "doppelganger danger" as you examine twelve homophones, which are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Learning how to use these homophones correctly in this interactive tutorial will help you avoid some of the most common usage mistakes.

Learn about adverb clauses, a flavorful ingredient that can enhance your sentences. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about adverb clauses and how these clauses can add interest, depth, and variety to your writing.

Learn about adjective clauses and how they can add interest, depth, and variety to your writing in this sweet-themed interactive tutorial.

Learn more about that dreaded word-- plagiarism --in this interactive tutorial that's all about citing your sources and avoiding academic dishonesty!

Explore excerpts from Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay "Self-Reliance" in this two-part series. This tutorial is Part Two. In this tutorial, you will continue to examine excerpts from Emerson's essay that focus on the topic of traveling. You'll examine word meanings and determine the connotations of specific words. You will also analyze the impact of specific word choices on the meaning of this portion of the essay.

Make sure to complete Part One first. Click HERE  to launch Part One.

Explore excerpts from Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay "Self-Reliance" in this two-part interactive tutorial series. You will examine word meanings, examine subtle differences between words with similar meanings, and think about the emotions or associations that are connected to specific words. Finally, you will analyze the impact of specific word choices on the meaning of these excerpts.

Make sure to complete both parts! Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Explore excerpts from Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay "Self-Reliance" in this interactive two-part tutorial. This tutorial is Part Two. In this two-part series, you will learn to enhance your experience of Emerson's essay by analyzing his use of the word "genius." You will analyze Emerson's figurative meaning of "genius" and how he develops and refines the meaning of this word over the course of the essay.

Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE  to view Part One.

Learn to enhance your writing by combining clauses. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn how to combine independent and dependent clauses to add interest, depth, and variety to your writing. 

Determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases in an informational text about the Bermuda Triangle in this three-part interactive tutorial. In Part 2, you'll practice determining the meaning of unknown vocabulary using context clues and dictionary skills.

Click below to complete all three parts!

Determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases in an informational text about the Bermuda Triangle in this three-part interactive tutorial. In Part 3, you'll practice determining the meaning of unknown vocabulary using context clues and dictionary skills.

Click below to open the first two parts.

Explore excerpts from Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay "Self-Reliance" in this interactive two-part tutorial. In Part One, you’ll learn to enhance your experience of a text by analyzing its use of a word’s figurative meaning. Specifically, you'll examine Emerson's figurative meaning of the key term "genius." In Part Two, you’ll learn how to track the development of a word’s figurative meaning over the course of a text. 

Make sure to complete both parts of the tutorial! Click  HERE to launch Part Two.

Determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases in an informational text about the Bermuda Triangle in this three-part interactive tutorial. In Part 1, you'll practice determining the meaning of unknown vocabulary using context clues and dictionary skills.

Practice analyzing word choices in "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, including word meanings, subtle differences between words with similar meanings, and emotions connected to specific words. In this interactive tutorial, you will also analyze the impact of specific word choices on the meaning of the poem.

This is Part Two of a two-part series. Part One should be completed before beginning Part Two. Click  HERE to open Part One.

Practice analyzing word choices in "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe in this interactive tutorial. In this tutorial, you will examine word meanings, examine subtle differences between words with similar meanings, and think about emotions connected to specific words. You will also analyze the impact of specific word choices on the meaning of the poem.

This tutorial is Part One of a two-part series on Poe's "The Raven." Click  HERE to open Part Two.

Learn how to create a Poem in 2 Voices in this interactive tutorial. This tutorial is Part Three of a three-part series. In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a Poem in 2 Voices using evidence drawn from a literary text: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

You should complete Part One and Part Two of this series before beginning Part Three.   

Click HERE to launch Part One. Click HERE to launch Part Two. 

Get ready to travel back in time to London, England during the Victorian era in this interactive tutorial that uses text excerpts from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde . This tutorial is Part Two of a three-part series. You should complete Part One before beginning this tutorial. In Part Two, you will read excerpts from the last half of the story and practice citing evidence to support analysis of a literary text. In the third tutorial in this series, you’ll learn how to create a Poem in 2 Voices using evidence from this story. 

Make sure to complete all three parts! Click to  HERE launch Part One. Click  HERE to launch Part Three. 

Learn how to transform words into other words, including nouns into verbs, verbs into adjectives, adjectives into adverbs, and much more with this interactive tutorial.

Learn how authors create mood in a story through this interactive tutorial. You'll read a science fiction short story by author Ray Bradbury and analyze how he uses images, sound, dialogue, setting, and characters' actions to create different moods. This tutorial is Part One in a two-part series. In Part Two, you'll use Bradbury's story to help you create a Found Poem that conveys multiple moods.

When you've completed Part One, click HERE to launch Part Two.

Practice writing different aspects of an expository essay about scientists using drones to research glaciers in Peru. This interactive tutorial is part four of a four-part series. In this final tutorial, you will learn about the elements of a body paragraph. You will also create a body paragraph with supporting evidence. Finally, you will learn about the elements of a conclusion and practice creating a “gift.” 

This tutorial is part four of a four-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

• Drones and Glaciers: Eyes in the Sky (Part 1)
• Drones and Glaciers: Eyes in the Sky (Part 2)
• Expository Writing: Eyes in the Sky (Part 3)
• Expository Writing: Eyes in the Sky (Part 4)

Acquire new vocabulary through this interactive tutorial. You'll learn definitions for 15 new words, as well as their parts of speech, their synonyms and antonyms, and you'll practice using them in context.

Practice citing evidence to support analysis of a literary text as you read excerpts from one of the most famous works of horror fiction of all time,  The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. 

This tutorial is Part One of a three-part tutorial. In Part Two, you'll continue your analysis of the text. In Part Three, you'll learn how to create a Poem in 2 Voices using evidence from this story. Make sure to complete all three parts! 

Click  HERE to launch Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part Three. 

Learn how to write an introduction for an expository essay in this interactive tutorial. This tutorial is the third part of a four-part series. In previous tutorials in this series, students analyzed an informational text and video about scientists using drones to explore glaciers in Peru. Students also determined the central idea and important details of the text and wrote an effective summary. In part three, you'll learn how to write an introduction for an expository essay about the scientists' research. 

This tutorial is part three of a four-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

• Drones and Glaciers: Eyes in the Sky (Part 2)
• E xpository Writing: Eyes in the Sky (Part 4)

Learn how to identify the central idea and important details of a text, as well as how to write an effective summary in this interactive tutorial. This tutorial is the second tutorial in a four-part series that examines how scientists are using drones to explore glaciers in Peru. 

This tutorial is part two of a four-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

Learn about how researchers are using drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs, to study glaciers in Peru. In this interactive tutorial, you will practice citing text evidence when answering questions about a text.

This tutorial is part one of a four-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.

• Drones and Glaciers: Eyes in the Sky (Part 1)

Learn how to avoid plagiarism in this interactive tutorial. You will also learn how to follow a standard format for citation and how to format your research paper using MLA style. Along the way, you will also learn about master magician Harry Houdini. This tutorial is Part Two of a two-part series on research writing.

Be sure to complete Part One first. Click to view Part One .

Learn about paraphrasing and the use of direct quotes in this interactive tutorial about research writing. Along the way, you'll also learn about master magician Harry Houdini. This tutorial is part one of a two-part series, so be sure to complete both parts.

Check out part two— Avoiding Plaigiarism: It's Not Magic here .

Learn how to create a Found Poem with changing moods in this interactive tutorial. This tutorial is Part Two of a two-part series. In Part One, students read “Zero Hour,” a science fiction short story by author Ray Bradbury and examined how he used various literary devices to create changing moods. In Part Two, students will use words and phrases from “Zero Hour” to create a Found Poem with two of the same moods from Bradbury's story.

Click HERE   to launch Part One.

Cite text evidence and make inferences about the "real" history of Halloween in this spooky interactive tutorial. 

Acquire new vocabulary through this interactive tutorial. You'll learn definitions for 15 new words, as well as their parts of speech, their synonyms and antonyms, and you'll practice using them in context. 

Review strategies for acquiring new vocabulary and then learn fifteen new words in this interactive tutorial. You'll also practice using the words in a variety of ways to help you add them to your vocabulary.

Learn how to cite evidence and draw inferences in this interactive tutorial. Using an informational text about cyber attacks, you'll practice identifying text evidence and making inferences based on the text.

Learn how to define and identify claims being made within a text. This tutorial will also show you how evidence can be used effectively to support the claim being made. Lastly, this tutorial will help you write strong, convincing claims of your own.

Learn to identify explicit textual evidence and make inferences based on the text. In this interactive tutorial, you'll sharpen your analysis skills while reading about the famed American explorers, Lewis and Clark, and their trusted companion, Sacagawea. You'll practice analyzing the explicit textual evidence wihtin the text, and you'll also make your own inferences based on the available evidence. 

Learn several ways to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words, including context clues, word parts, and dictionary skills. In this interactive tutorial, you'll apply these strategies to text passages from John Muir's book A Thousand-mile Walk to the Gulf , which includes vivid descriptions of Florida in the late 1800s.

Explore the mystery of muscle cell metabolism and how cells are able to meet the need for a constant supply of energy. In this interactive tutorial, you'll identify the basic structure of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), explain how ATP’s structure is related it its job in the cell, and connect this role to energy transfers in living things.

Learn to identify and analyze extended metaphors using W.B. Yeats' poem, "The Stolen Child." In this interactive tutorial, we'll examine how Yeats uses figurative language to express the extended metaphor throughout this poem. We'll focus on his use of these seven types of imagery: visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, tactile, kinesthetic, and organic. Finally, we'll analyze how the poem's extended metaphor conveys a deeper meaning within the text.

Learn to identify and analyze the central idea of an informational text. In this interactive tutorial, you'll read several informational passages about the history of pirates. First, you'll learn the four-step process for pinpointing the central idea. Then you'll analyze each passage to see how the central idea is developed throughout the text.

Learn how to make inferences based on the information included in the text in this interactive tutorial. Using the short story "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry, you'll practice identifying both the explicit and implicit information in the story. You'll apply your own reasoning to make inferences based on what is stated both explicitly and implicitly in the text. 

Learn some of the basic rules for using semicolons and colons in this baseball-themed tutorial. In this interactive tutorial, you'll practice identifying independent clauses and distinguishing between conjunctive adverbs and coordinating conjunctions. You'll also learn how to organize a list of items using a semicolon. Finally, you'll learn how to introduce a list or quotation using a colon.

Join Baby Bear to answer questions about key details in his favorite stories with this interactive tutorial. Learn about characters, setting, and events as you answer who, where, and what questions.

In this tutorial, you will practice identifying relevant evidence within a text as you read excerpts from Jack London's short story "To Build a Fire." Then, you'll practice your writing skills as you draft a short response using examples of relevant evidence from the story.

Learn how to make inferences using the novel Hoot in this interactive tutorial. You'll learn how to identify both explicit and implicit information in the story to make inferences about characters and events.

Learn how to make inferences when reading a fictional text using the textual evidence provided. In this tutorial, you'll read the short story "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin. You'll practice identifying what is directly stated in the text and what requires the use of inference. You'll practice making your own inferences and supporting them with evidence from the text.

Learn to distinguish between questions that can be answered by science and questions that science cannot answer. This interactive tutorial will help you distinguish between science and other ways of knowing, including art, religion, and philosophy.

This tutorial is Part One of a two-part series. In Part One, you'll learn about the use of plot twists and their impact on a text. In this interactive tutorial, you'll examine two ways authors often create plot twists within a story. Reading excerpts from the short story "The Interlopers," you'll analyze and explain how the author creates several plot twists in the story by purposely setting and disrupting expectations for readers. 

After completing Part One, click HERE for Part Two.

Learn to use context clues, including synonyms, antonyms, and inferences, to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words in this interactive tutorial.

In Part Two of this two-part series, you'll continue to explore excerpts from the Romantic novel  Jane Eyre  by Charlotte Brontë. In this tutorial, you'll examine the author's use of juxtaposition, which is a technique of putting two or more elements side by side to invite comparison or contrast. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to explain how the author’s use of juxtaposition in excerpts from the first two chapters of  Jane   Eyre  defines Jane’s perspective regarding her treatment in the Reed household.

Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to view Part One. 

Dive deeper into the famous short story “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov and explore the impact of a fifteen-year bet made between a lawyer and a banker.

In Part Three, you’ll learn about universal themes and explain how a specific universal theme is developed throughout “The Bet.”

Make sure to complete the first two parts in the series before beginning Part three. Click HERE to view Part One. Click HERE to view Part Two.

Lesson Plan

In this lesson plan, students will explore the history and meaning behind various patriotic holidays and make personal connections with those holidays including, Constitution Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Patriot Day, President’s Day, Independence Day, and Medal of Honor Day.

Type: Lesson Plan

Text Resources

Using this case study students can discuss "How can an employee"s behaviors and actions drive their career stability and path?"

Type: Text Resource

Using this case study, students can answer the question, "What are the limits of fair use regarding copyright protection?"

Using this case study, students can answer the question, "How does the composition of a scene influence how the viewer feels?"

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice correcting two common types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. For each practice item, you must identify the best way to correct either a comma splice or a fused sentence. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice identifying two common types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. For each practice item, you must identify whether a run-on sentence is a comma splice or a fused sentence. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. You will get feedback after every typed response. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Parent Resources

Congratulations, you have successfully created an account..

A verifications link was sent to your email at ... . Please check your email and click on the link to confirm your email address and fully activate your iCPALMS account. Please check your spam folder.

Did you enter an incorrect email address?

Did not receive an email, you have not completed your profile information. please take a few moments to complete the section below so we can customize your cpalms experience., there was an error creating your account. please contact support [email protected] for assistance..

Like us on Facebook

Stay in touch with CPALMS

Follow Us on Twitter

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

Essentials in Writing

Where learning to write well has never been so easy

Essentials in Writing Level 1 Second Edition

EIW™ Level 1 features a slow, systematic approach to introducing writing skills. This homeschool writing program is for elementary students and is a steppingstone to help your student develop the necessary tools to write clearly and confidently. We use a step-by-step approach with small, daily assignments so that the student doesn’t feel overwhelmed.

Order replacement textbooks & assessment resource books

• Writing Student Book
• Teacher Handbook
• Video Lessons

Writing and Assessments

Assessment/resource booklet, customize your package.

Includes: all online videos on DVD for offline remote viewing if needed

Add Additional Writing Textbook

Add Additional Printed EIW1 Second Edition Textbook

Add Additional Writing Textbooks

Add Additional Assessment/Resource Booklet

Add Additional Printed Level 1 Assessment/Resource Booklet

Package Total $ 0

Don't forget

Customers often also purchase

Additional Writing Textbook

Additional Writing Textbooks

Additional Assessment/Resource Booklet

Students completing Level 1 Writing will learn and practice grammar and writing skills. This list is non-exhaustive but rather serves as a quick insight into the subjects that students will learn – writing sentences, identifying parts of speech, applying parts of speech, writing lists, paragraphs, personal letters, personal narratives, imaginative narratives.

Unit One: Grammar

Identify and apply activities for writing sentences:

• Letter, word, and sentence formation
• Spacing, capitalization, and punctuation of sentences – period, question mark, and exclamation mark
• Introduction to complete sentences – subjects and predicates
• Types of sentences – declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, imperative

Identify and apply activities for parts of speech

• Common nouns
• Proper nouns
• Singular and plural nouns
• Action verbs

Tools for Effective Communication: Apply Parts of Speech

• Adjectives in action

Unit Two: Composition

Introduction to Writing:

• Personal Letters
• Personal Narratives
• Imaginative Narratives

Additional Composition Skills:

•  Parts of a paragraph
• Staying on topic
• Parts of a personal letter
• Writing the date
• Chronological order
• Parts of a personal and an imaginative narrative

Sample Lesson Video – Level 1

Level 1 – Sample PDFs

• LEVEL 1 SECOND EDITION TEXTBOOK SAMPLE
• LEVEL 1 ASSESSMENT/RESOURCE SAMPLE
• LEVEL 1 34-WEEK PLAN
• Alternative Instructional Strategies – PDF

Frequently Asked Questions About Level 1 Writing Curriculum

How old are level 1 students.

The general age for students completing Level 1 is 6 or 7 years old. The age can vary depending on if a child has started school early, on time, or is repeating a grade. The age of the student does not delegate if a child can complete this writing course. Instead, we recommend that students have a basic understanding of phonetic spelling and letter formation before beginning.

What students are ideal for Level 1?

Level 1 learners are determined by knowledge and writing skill rather than their age. Students should have a basic understanding of phonetic spelling and letter formation before beginning this writing curriculum.

What is taught in 1st grade homeschool writing?

Students will learn the basics of language arts including grammar and writing. In Unit One, students engage in identifying and applying activities for writing sentences and parts of speech. Unit Two focuses on the introduction to composition. Students will learn several tools to become effective writers focusing on quality sentences, paragraphs, letters, and narratives.

What is included in the Workbook and Assessment/Resource Booklet?

Level 1 is the introduction to writing courses offered by Essentials in Writing and features a student book as well as a video component.

1st Grade Writing Workbook

• Lesson content that accompanies the video lesson

• Lesson activities that accompany the video lesson

• Writing graphic organizers that accompany the video lesson

• Separate parent/teacher handbook

◦ How to use the program

◦ Sample lesson planning

◦ Writing icon descriptions

◦ Sample answers for each lesson

1st Grade Writing Assessment (A) / Resource Book (R)

• (A) Multiple choice, underline, and fill-in-the-blank assessments

• (A) Composition assessments for each composition completed in the workbook

• (R) Extra graphic organizers

• (R) Extra writing checklists

• (R) Level 1 spelling dictionary (word lists)

*Assessment/Resource Book will provide students with the opportunity to show what information they are retaining. Although some parents/teachers use the assessments as actual evaluations, others use them as extra practice. The additional word lists are valuable in improving student vocabulary.

Identify and Apply Activities for Writing Sentences

• Letter, word, and sentence formation

• Spacing, capitalization, and punctuation of sentences – period, question mark, and exclamation mark

• Introduction to complete sentences – subjects and predicates

• Types of sentences – declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, and imperative

Identify and Apply Activities for Parts of Speech

• Common nouns

• Proper nouns

• Singular and plural nouns

• Adjectives

• Action verbs

• Adjectives in action

Introduction to Writing

• Paragraphs

• Personal letters

• Personal narratives

• Imaginative narratives

Additional Composition Skills

• Parts of a paragraph

• Staying on topic

• Parts of a personal letter

• Writing the date

• Chronological order

• Parts of a personal and an imaginative narrative

What if I have multiple students?

Additional 1st grade writing workbooks can be purchased to provide a workbook for another child/student. The workbook does not have additional information and is just another core workbook for another student so that each student has their own workbook to use.

How are tests and assignments graded?

An answer key is presented in the back of the included parent/teacher handbook. For compositions, sample answers for each step of the writing process and a final sample composition are presented to parents/teachers for comparison purposes. Checklists are included to be sure that the student met the composition requirements. Parents/teachers use the checklists and sample compositions to “grade” their student’s work.

What is included in Unit One and Two?

Unit One covers basic grammar instruction with activities where students learn to identify and apply basic parts of speech, to identify and apply the basics of writing sentences, and to use adjectives and sentences effectively in written communication.

Unit Two introduces several multi-sentence compositions as well as how to communicate effectively in written language and in a variety of styles and formats.

How much time will students need to complete this course?

The time needed to complete the 1st grade writing curriculum is a typical academic year (34 weeks). If students follow the 34-week plan included, they will complete individual lessons and activities during the week; however, because the lessons are broken up into small, daily mini-lessons, students can double up on some lessons and activities and complete the entire course sooner. Each day, students will spend 10-15 minutes on writing.

Does the workbook include a daily/weekly curriculum planner?

Each level of Essentials in Writing includes a 34-week suggested, yet optional, lesson planner.

Is online help available for additional workbook questions?

Essentials in Writing offers 100% free curriculum support through texting, Facebook Messenger, online chat, email, and phone calls.

The Difference Between Digital and Print Student Book

The online version of the curriculum includes all of the required materials for completing a level of Essentials in Writing or Essentials in Literature, but in a digital format. With the online version, all of your materials are in one spot within the member’s dashboard for you to view and print! The required online materials include:

• Student Book
• Lesson Videos
• Teacher Handbook (EIW Levels 1-8 and EIL 7-9)

For EIW Levels 1-8, you can get a digital Assessment/Resource Booklet as well!

How does this compare to the print version? The print version of the curriculum includes all the online access to the digital materials AND the printed, physical, tangible version of the textbooks. The printed books are great for students who prefer to complete their assignments directly within an organized, bound book.

It simply comes down to personal preference. Now, families have the added convenience of being able to access their materials in different formats.

Additional Student Level Textbook/Workbook

Additional Workbook is compatible only with second edition Essentials in Writing video instruction. This is only a student workbook for an ADDITIONAL student using the same level of video instruction. Please note that the Workbook is not functional without the related video instruction.

(Assessment/Resource Booklet is compatible only with second edition Essentials in Writing curriculum)

• Assessments 10 grammar assessments, 4 composition assessments, and 2 comprehensive unit tests
• Resources A personal spelling dictionary with common hard-to-spell words and space to add more words, and multiple graphic organizers.

Essentials in Writing comes with Online Streaming Video Instruction

• ONLINE STREAMING 12 month access to ONLINE lesson-by-lesson video instruction (Free renewals upon request)
• DVD DVD video lessons can be added for $15.00 plus shipping (This includes access to online streaming as well)

Try it Free!

Try it Now!

Not sure which level is right for your student? Use the level wizard .

Recommended ages 7-8

Writing Courses

• Level 1 (ages 6-7)
• Level 2 (ages 7-8)
• Level 3 (ages 8-9)
• Level 4 (ages 9-10)
• Level 5 (ages 10-11)
• Level 6 (ages 11-12)
• Level 7 (ages 12-13)
• Level 8 (ages 13-14)
• Level 9 (ages 14-15)
• Level 10 (ages 15-16)
• Level 11 (ages 16-17)
• Level 12 (ages 17-18)

Literature Courses

• Level 7 (ages 12–13)
• Level 8 (ages 13–14)
• Level 9 (ages 14–15)
• Level 10 (ages 15–16)

Other Services

• Scoring Services
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Home School Resource Center
• Supplemental Writing Program (18-week plan)
• Summer Writing Program (10-week plan)
• Charter Schools
• Giving Back
• International Customers
• Terms of Use

(417) 256-4191

Creative Writing: Exploring Different Writing Styles (Level 1)

Class experience

Us grade 5 - 7, homework offered, 1 - 2 hours per week outside of class, assessments offered, grades offered.

• Google Docs

Group Class

Financial assistance  , outschool international  , get the app  .

More to Explore  

Classes by age  , classes by grade  .

Error Occurred