READ LIKE A WRITER
From scientific hypotheses to political policymaking to the seed for a new start-up, creativity is absolutely essential. Through this week-long course, students will learn to exercise their creativity by reading and writing short stories.
Each day of the week will be spent looking at a different element of a successful short story. We will be using classic examples of short stories, along with more modern pieces, for students to learn from. Students will be taught how to read critically and carefully while learning new elements of language and strengthening their vocabulary. By the end of the week, students will have finished writing their very own short story. The last day of class will be an interactive workshop session, in which students will have the opportunity to read and give feedback on each other’s short stories. Food will be provided in celebration. Students will also receive their own copy of Strunk’s The Elements of Style as an invaluable resource for future writing.
Once enrolled, please come to class on the first day with writing utensils and paper. Students should have access to a computer at home.
Students will learn to:
– recognize the elements of a successful story
– emulate complex sentence structure and vocabulary use
– read carefully and critically
– use diction and details to take their writing to the next level
– deliver constructive criticism
– derive lessons from their peers and not only the instructor
Time: 9:30am to 12:00pm, the week 6/23 to 6/27 and 7/7 to 7/11.
Address: 1340 S De Anza Blvd. Suite 204, San Jose, CA 95129
Contact: 408-366-2204, spring.
Registration: reply this email with student’s name and your phone number
Fee: $200/week (Students can be dropped at 9:00am
Speaking of which,
The Instructor:
Yuqing Zhu recently completed her first year at the Johns Hopkins University. She is simultaneously pursuing two BA’s in Neuroscience and in Writing Seminars. Combining her interests in the sciences and in writing, she is an editor of her university’s Public Health Research Journal, working with seasoned researchers to perfect their scientific papers prior to publication. In a more creative vein, Yuqing has always considered herself to be an artist, both with paintbrush and proverbial typewriter. As a Writing Seminars major, she has consistently worked with professors and peers in small group settings to discuss and to learn from writings of all forms, from Chaucer to Chekhov. Her experiences have allowed her to develop a critical eye for her own writing and for that of others; her background in the sciences lends her a further analytical streak.
Yuqing hopes to someday become a successfully published poet and a professor on the side – just to foot the bills.
Syllabus for students entering 6th-7th grade:
Monday: Elements of Plot
“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
“The Last Leaf” by O. Henry
“Breaking the Pig” by Etgar Keret
“A Taxi as Blue as the Sky” by Kimiko Aman
Homework: Complete outline; read “A Retrieved Reformation” by O. Henry
Tuesday: Character
Discussion of “A Retrieved Reformation”
“Razi and the Sunbird” by Eugie Foster
“The Happy Prince” by Oscar Wilde
“A Driftwood’s Tale” by Shirley Ann Hoskins
Homework: Complete character sketch; read “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
Wednesday: The Setting and the Situation
Discussion of “The Necklace”
“The Hunger Ship” by L. Shaw Blimes
“The Wolf and the Wedding” by Svetlana Ilyinykh and Rachelle DeSimone
“The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert William Service
Homework: Complete scene; read “Farewell” by Marnie K. Jorenby
Thursday: The Details
Discussion of “Farewell”
“The Stone Guards” by Marilyn Helmer
“Dark Tree” by Brian Gibbons
“The Wish” by Roald Dahl
Homework: Complete short story; make copies for the class
Friday: Workshop