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Creative Writing & Speech

Great Lakes Adventist Academy
Ms. Michelle Rosas
Course Outline
Course Description
This course is designed to develop students confidence in their writing, reading, and speaking
abilities and to develop lifelong habits in the same areas. In the creative writing semester,
students will study poetry and narrative writing through various writing and reading assignments.
In the speech semester, students will enhance their public speaking skills through a variety of
speeches that focus on how speech skills can be used outside of the classroom.

Course Objectives
The students will learn to evaluate what he or she has read and articulate what is
worthwhile reading for a Christian.
The student will learn to make connections between reading, writing, and speaking.
The student will learn to enjoy recreational reading.
The student will develop an appreciation for poetry as an art form and mode of
expression.
The student will learn to talk about poetry, short stories, and novels with other students or
educated individuals.
The students will discover some types of writing they enjoy and plan to continue doing.
Student will learn to evaluate their own writing and be able to articulate their judgments.
The student will learn to evaluate others writing in ways that help others improve.
The student will demonstrate proper body language when giving a speech.
The student will demonstrate confidence, clarity, and effective content when speaking in
public.
The student will learn to evaluate his or her own speaking style.

Overview of Year
Part I: Writing a Story
Dissecting the Parts of a Story
Setting
Characterization
Dialogue
Plots - Beginning, Middle, and End
Is There a Point?
Special Considerations for True Stories

Writing the Story

Getting Past Writers Block
Unconventional Beginnings Writing Backwards, Forwards, or Anywards!
The Writing Routine
The First Draft
Self-Editing
Peer Review How to Help and Be Helped
Formatting
Revision
Part II: Writing Poetry
Creating a Poetry Toolbox
What Makes a Poem?
Published Poems You Love
Rhythm
Layout
Rhyme
Metaphor and Simile
Personification
Nouns and Verbs vs. Adjectives and Adverbs
Condensing Language
Alliteration, Assonance, and Consonance
Easy Poems to Start Writing
Shape
Forms
Ballads
Response
Dreams
Names
Twins
Analogy with animals & objects
Translation
Photograph/Picture
Memory
13 Ways of Looking at Something
Extended Metaphor
Sonnets & Other Literary Forms
Sharing Poetry
Creative Publishing
Reading Your Poems
Critiquing Poetry How to Help and Be Helped
Revision

Part III: Public Speaking

Forget Feeling Foolish!
Audience Perception
Body Language
Dealing with Stage Fright and Its Symptoms
Dress for Success
Platform Etiquette
Props & Visual Aids
Visibility
Planning Ahead
Testing Your Equipment
Practice Makes Perfect
When Things Go Wrong
Dissecting the Parts of a Speech
Introduction
Organization
Logic
Illustrations
Conclusions
Preparing for a Speech
Choosing a Topic
Gathering Your Resources
Writing an Outline
To Script or Not To Script Your Speech
Practice Makes Perfect
Using Your Voice
Volume
Articulation
Rate
Inflection
Emphasis
Using the Microphone
Rules of Engagement
Be Nice to the Sound Guy
Interacting With the Audience
Special Concerns

Informative Speeches
Personal Introductions
Book Report Speech
Telling a Story
Researching a Topic/Citing Sources
Persuasive Speeches
The Sales Pitch
Interviews
Controversial Topics
Sermons & Devotional Talks
Childrens Story
Entertaining Speeches
Eulogy
Farewell
Award Presentation and Acceptance
Amusement
Anniversary/Birthday
Impromptu Speeches
Always Prepared
Organizational Method
Practice Makes Perfect