| Course Description | In this course, students will be taught how to write dynamic, controlled, and moving submissions for 3 New York Times writing contests that occur in the fall. The first 6 weeks of the course will prepare students to submit to the NYT’s 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest (10/4-11/1). Over the next 4 weeks, we will work on submissions for the Review Contest (11/1-12/6). Then, in the final 3 weeks of the course, students will prepare submissions for the one-pager challenge. Through the reading, writing, and editing that goes into the preparation for these contests, students will grow as writers and gain valuable skills that will help them compete in future writing contests and applications, not to mention academic essays. Students’ perspectives and abilities will expand as they exercise both critical and creative muscles. Each week students are expected to add to and edit their short pieces of writing—culminating in 3+ finished products— based on prompts the teacher provides. Students should upload their writing to the Course’s Google Classroom page, and the teacher will provide individualized edits and feedback for each student. Students should have access to a New York Times subscription for this course. These subscriptions are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain on the NYT’s website. |
| Teacher | Mr. Jake from Brighter Bee Academy
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| Grade | This course is appropriate for 6th grade students and above. |
| Class Time |
Wednesday at 8-9 p.m. EST 13 classes from the week of Sept 11th There is no class during the Thanksgiving week |
| Sample Schedule | Example from the first part of the semester
Class 1 Introduction: Core Values & Concision [100-word contest] –Topics: Intros, Essay Guidelines, Core Values, Hook, Surprise, Concrete to Abstract, Sensorial to Mental, Narrative Arc –Reading: “The Best Friend Question” * –Writing: Digging Deep Brainstorm Class 2 Detail, Reflection, & Idiosyncrasy [100-word contest] –Topics: Embracing Difference, Pushing deeper into topics, objects, memories, Fear, Narrative Development, Inciting Incident –Reading: “The Bottom of a Swimming Pool” * & “Contraband” * –Writing: What makes you unique? Exercise Write Narrative #1 focusing on a strong Hook Class 3 Difficult Topics & Concision [100-word contest] –Topics: Identity, Cultural Background, Feeling Different, Self-deprecation, Voice, Guilt, Shame, Narrative Climax, Concision, Compressing content into short space –Reading: “Nothing Extraordinary” *, “TSA and Cinnamon Buns” * –Writing: Write Narrative #2 focusing on a strong Ending Class 4 Voice, Endings, & Relevant Topics [100-word contest] –Topics: Playing with Voice, Anecdote, Internal/External, –Reading: “Cracks in the Pavement” *, “Autocorrect” * –Writing: Write Narrative #3
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Course Features
- Lectures 0
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 13 weeks
- Skill level All levels
- Students 3
- Certificate No
- Assessments Yes
