| Course Description | In this course, students will write and submit 3 pieces of writing for New York Times young writers’ contests. The 3 contests that the course will likely spotlight (pending the release of NY Times Spring Contests) are the Profile Contest, the STEM Writing Contest, and the Editorial Contest. As there may be extra time at the end of the semester, the course may also help students to participate in the NY Times Podcast Contest as well. Preparing for and submitting to these contests will not only give students the opportunity to compete in and win each competition, it will also help students to improve in writing, editing, and critical thinking.
The course topics will include strong sentences, dynamic paragraphs, argumentation, description, objectivity in writing, and narrative arc. Students will become versatile writers and thinkers as they produce writing in different modes. The teacher will provide editing for students that will help them with their contest submissions. |
| Teacher | Mr. Jake from Brighter Bee Academy
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| NYT writing contest is open to students between 11yr to 19 yr. | |
| Class Time |
Thursday at 7:30-8:30 p.m. EST 22 classes from the week of 1/9/2023-6/16/2023 There is no class during the week of April 3rd |
| Sample Schedule | Sample schedule for week 1-8( preparing for Profile contest)
Course Schedule (subject to change) Class 1 Introduction: Profiles –Topics: Intros, Essay Guidelines, Hook, Surprise, Concrete to Abstract, Profile, Objectivity in Writing, Dynamic Paragraphs –Reading: Winning Samples Profile 1.1, 1.2 –Writing: Profile Paragraph 1 Class 2 Detail #1 –Topics: Detail, Objectivity, Research, Dynamic Paragraphs –Reading: Winning Samples Profile 1.3, 1.4 –Writing: Adding Vivid, Lively Details Class 3 In-Depth Description –Topics: Description, Verisimilitude, Convincing Detail –Reading: Guest Published Sample #1 –Writing: Edit first 2 Paragraphs Class 4 Detail #2 –Topics: Adding Colorful Details, Adding Personal Details, Strong Sentences –Reading: Winning Samples Profile 1.5, 1.6 –Writing: Add Supporting Information & Description Class 5 Anecdotes & Narrative Arc –Topics: Anecdotes, Stories within stories, Description, Narrative Arc, Climax, Endings –Reading: Guest Published Sample #2 Class 6 Description –Topics: Figurative Language, in media res, Description –Reading: Winning Samples Profile 1.7, 1.8 –Writing: Start Profile #2 Class 7 Objectivity in Writing –Topics: Objective Language, Diction, Syntax, Climax –Reading: Guest Published Sample #3 –Writing: Write the middle/climax of Profile #2 Class 8 Endings –Topics: Endings, Editing –Reading: Winning Samples Profile 1.9, 1.10 –Writing: Finish Profile #2 |