creative writing

It’s easy for young writer to feel unfulfilled or under-challenged in high school English classes;
the creative writing student at CSS is in search of something more. Small class size, the highest caliber
instruction, and student-centered material will produce creative ideas and proud students.

To better cater to individual interests, this year CSS has decided to create two separate creative
writing courses. Each is designed to hone writing skills in the given area of concentration.

These two courses will come together at the end of each session to create an anthology of their
work. Students will go home with a hard and electronic portfolio of their writing. These help
serve as reminders of the great work they did, as the pride of returning students would attest.

Creative Writing 101: Fiction & Poetry
This course focuses on a diversity of material, especially that with the most ‘creative’ bent.
Students will write short stories, personal narratives, and learn a variety of poetry styles. There’s
also room for personalization: everything from song writing to fan-fiction is fair game if the student
has the passion for it. Expect a wide array of creative modes of writing in this course; some more
familiar, some with which the student may otherwise have never be exposed.

While previous creative writing experience is by no means required, students are welcome to
bring any ideas or projects they may have been working on into the class. In the past there
have been students who’s writing leans towards the romantic, towards fantasy, horror, wittily
hilarious or a dry and gripping realism. The Creative Writing 101 student will find an encouraging
environment that draws strength from a diversity of styles, backgrounds, and interests.

Creative Writing 102: Journalism & College Prep
Journalism and narrative nonfiction offer an outlet for the creative writer obsessed with the truth
and bent on analyzing what’s around them as they see it. This might mean interviews, opinion
pieces, or honing the art of description. It also could come in the form of tackling those issues
most important to the students themselves, whether it be curfews or gay rights. The world is a
fascinating place, and there are so many things, people, and ideas worth writing about. It’s also
increasingly important.

The education of writing at both the high school and college level has been growing ever more
nonfiction-based. This course is therefore especially well-suited for those students who want to get
a leg up on the freshman composition classes required by most all colleges and universities. But
don’t think that makes it less creative. Writing nonfiction in an engaging way can is a vital and
empowering skill. In this spirit, part of this course will be dedicated to writing the college personal
statement, where a student analyzes themselves. In much the same way, this course challenges
them to analyze the world.