Course Description
See Reviews of Instructor Lili Serbicki
This Creative Writing course explores several elements and genres, including Dialogue, Character, Conflict, Science Fiction and Fantasy, and Poetry. A typical week will involve reading a short story or poetry selection, discussing the complex literary and creative elements of the piece, and responding with an original creative project that practices those specific elements.
We use new and vibrant prompts each week. By the end of the class, students will have worked toward building a vibrant and varied writing portfolio. The completed pieces will fit into categories in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Each week of the intensive will involve an optional 50-minute live discussion that will be recorded for later use. In addition to my own critiques, students will have the opportunity to receive feedback from their peers.
Course Structure
Required work is posted on Monday morning. Weekly assignments are due Friday night (short extensions may be granted if necessary). Each week student work will include:
- Writing a draft of a short story or poem or a portion of a longer piece. Students will have the flexibility of choosing whether or not to work through multiple drafts of each project.
- Reading a very short story or 1-2 short poems.
- Either attending a live lecture (optional) or listening to the lecture recording.
- Exploring concept handouts and resources based on the weekly writing element or genre.
- Discussing our class readings in our online forum and/or our live meetings.
- Students may spend 6-8 hours per week on classwork.
Who should enroll?
This class is designed for rising 10th-12th graders. However, a motivated rising 9th grader would be accepted.
Technology Requirements:
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
Evaluation and Feedback
I provide detailed critiques on short story and poem drafts. These critiques are based heavily on the element we’re studying at the time, but I will take elements such as structure/plot, clarity, characterization, conflict, imagery, etc. into account. Critiques are generally given within 2-3 days of the assignment due date. I provide a grade for each class assignment, although students may choose to submit an additional draft if they wish to improve that grade.
Communication
An application is not necessary to join this course; you may register at your convenience. I will contact parents within 1-2 days of their registration being processed. Weekly check-in emails will be sent to both parents and students.
Carmen P. –
“I feel that Mrs. Serbicki’s instruction helped me get past my fear of writing fiction – under her guidance I actually finished stories – and fine-tuned my narration and plot development, steering me away from melodrama into honest, engaging tales.” (Carmen P., year-long Creative Writing)
K.M. –
As a student in Mrs. Serbicki’s 2011-2012 AP English Literature class, I truly have only good things to say! Mrs. S was prompt, considerate, and organized, and went over and above duty on many occasions to spark our interest, keep us on track, and help us grow as writers. – K.M. (student review of AP English Literature)
Ginny S. –
“I won a scholarship recently with an essay/speech that I submitted for the VFW´s Voice of Democracy contest. I actually used a lot of creative writing elements in mine, and I really feel like I owe it to your course for sharpening those aspects of my writing and really my writing as a whole. So I did just want to let you know and thank you for the great feedback on my work so far…The scholarship was worth $20,000 to Springhill College.” (Ginny S., year-long Creative Writing 2012-2013)