CWP

CWP: Creative Writing Portfolio Assignment

English 400

You must complete a minimum of two full pages of typed creative writing per quarter. (To be safe, make sure to write a bit more than two full pages.) Each quarter will feature a general theme of your choice. Each quarter's creative writing will be introduced with a short paragraph explaining how your creative writing engages the quarter's theme. Some people may find it useful to begin this paragraph like this: Our theme, the beauty of the days gone by, may be seen in my creative writing through . . .



The first CWP will be a narrative response to college prompts. The following CWPs will be prompted by selections from the literature we will be studying this year.

Do not write an essay about the theme. Do write fiction (a short story or a chapter in a novel), drama, poetry or song lyrics (both must be single spaced), or creative nonfiction.

You are encouraged to explore a variety of writing genres and styles. Whatever you write, however, must be appropriate for an audience that includes MVCS administrators and your grandmother. Each quarter’s CWP can be made up of one long piece or multiple entries. If you write multiple entries, make sure you still have two full pages. Fill up each page.

Format: Typed MLA (12 point, Times New Roman, proper margins, etc.)

Your Grade: If you are short of the minimum, you will earn no more than a D. When completed, the CWP should be free of typos and grammatical and spelling errors. In general, 2 errors or fewer on any page =A-, 3-5 errors on any page=B-, and 6 or more errors on any page =C- or lower. Failing to adhere to the themes or neglecting to meet any of the other standards on this handout will result in a significantly lower grade. Fragments and run-On sentences are major deductions.

You may not include pieces written for other classes (past, present, or future) or for other assignments in this class. You will fail this assignment if you do so.

You will submit this work to Focus.

Due Dates: Plan on the CWP being due about two weeks prior to the end of each quarter. Many students put this assignment off until the last minute. This results in stress filled days and sleepless nights as the deadline approaches. Start this early, and spend some time each week working on your CWP. I usually do not assign the CWP as homework, which means you must complete this during your own time. Know that by the end of the year, many students find the CWP to be their most enjoyable assignment.