Subject Area
Class Calendar Length
Semester Long
Grade Levels
11, 12
Prerequisites
Intro to Academic Writing (Sept 2026)
Seats Available
12
Class Schedule
Tue, Thu, Fri 10:50-11:40 am
Course Description
Have you ever wanted to see your words in print? This course introduces the fundamentals of creative writing across four diverse genres: creative nonfiction, poetry, drama, and short fiction. Students study how professional authors craft their work, integrate research into creative projects, and participate in constructive peer workshops.
Through drafting, revision, and editing, learners build a professional portfolio of original work. The course also explores the publishing process and prepares student pieces for inclusion in a class literary magazine. Emerge not just as a student of writing, but as a published author with a finished portfolio to show for it.
Key Outcomes
- Write original work across four distinct genres while refining a personal voice.
- Engage in collaborative peer workshops and integrate research into projects.
- Edit and prepare final pieces for publication in a class literary magazine.
Mass. State Standards
- W.PK-12.1, 3: Text Types & Argumentation
- W.PK-12.4–6: Writing Production & Technology Workflow
- W.11-12.7–9 Research & Source Integration
Diarmaid King is an educator at Phoenix Charter Academy – Springfield, where he currently teaches Humanities. Originally from New York City, Diarmaid has been an educator for several years and holds a BA in History from the College of the Holy Cross and a Master’s Degree in History from Villanova University. He is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Education from Boston University, with a professional focus on literacy development and critical thinking. Outside of the classroom, Mr. King has served as an academic journal editor and a newspaper writer, and he remains active in community organizing and writing non-fiction, fiction, and poetry. He lives with his wife and their two young children, and in his spare time, he loves to swim and take his kids on fun adventures.