I am a Creative Writing major and I have taught Creative Writing classes at both the university and high school levels. Here is a list of things you might do in a Creative Writing class. It is by no means complete, but it will give you an idea of the kind of stuff you might encounter.
Introduce the General Idea of Creative Writing
I always start my Creative Writing classes by discussing the general idea of the subject. Students tend to have different ideas about what Creative Writing is and how it relates to their life. Hence, it is important to have a general idea of what the class is about and what kind of literature we are going to be studying. This helps clear the waters a little bit and sets the stage for the rest of the semester.
So, what is Creative Writing? It is quite difficult to define due to its broad scope. Essentially, Creative Writing is all of the following:
- Writing poems, plays, or stories
- for children or adults
- to entertain or educate
- Using traditional and non-traditional modes of writing (e.g., music, theater, film, or social media)
As you can see, there is a lot of flexibility in what Creative Writing is. It can be as diverse as a poetry class or as focused as a playwriting class. To put it simply, it is all writing, but it is the style that is important. To start, it is important to note that there is no set curriculum for a Creative Writing major. Your university might suggest a bibliography for your students to read, but beyond that, you have a lot of freedom to teach your own seminar topics. This is great for those of you who are passionate about teaching a particular area.
Set the Stage For the Rest of the Semester
Once you have cleared up any misconceptions about creative writing, it is time to move on to the specifics of what you are going to teach this semester. Setting the stage is a crucial part of any class, especially a Creative Writing class. You want to ensure that your students have all of the relevant materials before the start of the class. This includes copies of books they might need for the class, as well as any other relevant materials. It is also important to make sure that they understand the general idea of the class. In addition, you want to give them a vision of what the class is going to be like. This way, they will have the opportunity to both prepare and participate actively throughout the semester.
Study Traditional Literature
I typically teach my undergraduates how to write creatively. I want them to develop their own voice and be uniquely expressive. For this reason, I usually assign them traditional literature. There is far more flexibility when it comes to traditional literature vs. more modern literature. If you are stuck in the twentieth century, then so be it. It is a very rich source of inspiration and you will not lack for topics. This being said, there are many wonderful stories that came out of the twentieth century and you should not be afraid to teach these. In short, whatever period your students come from, traditional literature is a great way to build a strong foundation for creative writing.
Encourage Your Students To Be Creative In Their Approach
Something else that is important in a creative writing class is helping the students find the voice that is unique to them. It is important to give them the confidence to be original and this often comes from challenging them. For example, instead of just giving them a set of rules to follow, you could ask them to write a short story that breaks all of the rules. This might seem like an impossible task, but by setting this sort of challenge, you will be empowering them to be original and, in turn, creative. In the same way, having them write a play rather than just an essay is also a great way to get them to think outside of the box. This is how you give them the confidence to be creative, make mistakes, and grow as writers. In my experience, many writers block is caused by their anxiety about making mistakes. By getting them to embrace this, you will help break down this barrier and give them the creative freedom to be expressive.
Create A Genuine Learning Environment
Finally, it is important to create an environment that is conducive to learning. If you are working in a group, then you want to ensure that everyone is on the same page and is contributing their unique expertise. In the same way, it is important to get to know your students on a personal level. This will help ground them even more deeply in the subject and create a stronger bond. If you get to know your students well, you will be able to tailor your teaching style to suit their needs and learning styles. This will, in turn, make the whole process more effective. It is also important to be patient and, above all, kind. You want to create a positive learning environment where they feel inspired and accepted for who they are. In summary, ensure that your students have all of the necessary materials, set the stage for the class, encourage their creativity, and create a conducive environment for learning. If you do these things, you should have no problem turning your students into successful creative writers.