Scholastic Writing Contest

CURRICULUM
In this dynamic and inspiring Narrative Writing Class, students will embark on a creative journey to prepare compelling submissions for The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Through engaging discussions, guided writing exercises, and constructive feedback, students will hone their storytelling skills and explore various narrative forms. The course will focus on crafting outstanding entries in categories such as Flash Fiction, Humor, Personal Essay & Memoir, Science Fiction & Fantasy, and Short Story. Moreover, students will learn valuable techniques for brainstorming, writing, revising, and editing, equipping them with the tools to produce polished narratives. By the end of the course, students will be well-prepared to submit their work to the prestigious Scholastic Awards and gain insight into the creative writing process.
 
KEY IDEAS AND GOALS:
Section 1: Idea Generation & Brainstorming
In the first section of the Narrative Writing Class, students will focus on Idea Generation & Brainstorming. During the initial sessions, students will be introduced to The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and the various categories available for submission. They will closely examine winning submissions from previous years to draw inspiration and gain insights into successful entries. Through interactive exercises and guided discussions, students will learn effective brainstorming techniques to generate captivating story ideas. By the end of this section, students will have narrowed down their topics and selected the most promising ideas for their narratives.
 
Section 2: Writing
In the second section, students will delve into the process of Writing their narratives. Through creative prompts and guided writing exercises, they will develop their stories, exploring themes and narrative forms relevant to their chosen categories. Emphasis will be placed on building engaging plots, developing well-rounded characters, and crafting captivating settings. The teacher will provide constructive feedback and support to help students refine their writing skills and create impactful narratives.
 
Section 3: Revising & Editing
The final section of the class will focus on Revising & Editing. Students will learn the art of revision and self-editing to polish their narratives and elevate the quality of their writing. Through guided revisions and feedback from the instructor, students will refine their drafts, enhance their language, and strengthen the coherence and impact of their stories. The goal of this section is to prepare students' narratives for submission to The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, ensuring they meet all requirements and stand out in the competition.
 
EXPECTATIONS
Please have your student familiarize themselves with The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards using the links below
Homepage: https://www.artandwriting.org/awards/
How to Enter: https://www.artandwriting.org/awards/how-to-enter/
Categories (scroll down for Writing): https://www.artandwriting.org/awards/how-to-enter/categories
 
A note about Homework: Please be aware that the deadlines for most of the Southern California Area Scholastic Art & Writing Awards fall in Early December. To stay on schedule, the teacher may occasionally assign brainstorming or writing tasks to be completed between classes. These tasks will contribute to the overall development of students' narratives and enhance their chances of producing outstanding submissions.
 
 
TEACHER
Alexander Harasimowicz is the teacher of Thetaworks’ Novel course. Alexander studied political science at Yale University, where he took classes on international relations, comparative literature, and media analysis. Additionally, he has prepared both himself and his students for several AP exams, including Literature and Language & Composition. He loves reading, and has extensive experience guiding students through reading comprehension and literary analysis exercises.