The Key to Creative Writing – Scheme of Work, Lessons, Activities, Worksheets, plus more!

This unit aims to teach the craft of fiction through reading and application. Twenty workshop-style weeks/sessions build and accumulate an understanding of what makes fiction compelling, through focus on a range of fiction, from fundamental literary texts to the modern and avant-garde; the analysis accumulates and is consolidated through the creation of a narrative during the summative five-week drafting, peer-editing, and finalising process. The unit synthesises skills of critical analysis and creativity to help shape and express learners’ uniqueness and understanding of the craft of notable writers.

To comment on its creation, this course was initially run as an after-school extracurricular club for upper KS3 and KS4 secondary students, Year 9-11 (aged 13-16), with the only requirement being to produce an extended piece of fiction during the process. The readings included were abridged and scaffolded as required to ensure access from all students. Its success and positive reception facilitated its use and adaptation as part of the general school’s English curriculum, in-line with the GCSE requirements (both Language and Literature).

Please note: the sessions may need ’stripping-back’ depending on the time-constraints. I hope you find it useful!