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Literary Arts
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In an atmosphere that celebrates the diversity of human perspectives, that promotes lively exchange of ideas, and that nurtures the development of each writer's voice, students pursue an enriched and sequential set of experiences through a four-year period.
Successful Literary Arts students are characterized by their determination to master correct grammatical structures, by their willingness to participate in the critique process, and by their interest in reading as a source of inspiration and of good writing models.
They are comfortable in Honors and GT level English classes.
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Program Description
Literary Arts Philosophy
Originality and style in writing are products of serious reading, thinking, observation, practice, and disipline. In an atmosphere that celebrates the diversity of human perspectives, that promotes lively exchange of ideas, and that nurtures the development of each writer's voice, students pursue an enriched and sequential set of experiences through a four-year period.
The philosophy of writing primarily as a process enables students to participate dynamically in their own development of excellent literary skills and methods for positively and critically interacting with their own texts and those of their peers. Such deliberate study will foster a long and fulfilling relationship with the craft of writing powerfully and effectively, whether as a career, as part of a career, or as a personal way of understanding and interacting with the world.
Student Profile: Successful Literary Arts students are characterized by their ability to work independently for long periods of time, by their openess to critical evaluation, by their determination to master correct grammatical structures, and by their willingness to participate in the critique process that is important to the development of all artists.
Critical Reading: Throughout the entire Literary Arts program, students participate in rigorous enrichment reading that is an integral part of all classroom instruction.
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Journalism
Journalism 2 - 4
Students design and implement all aspects of writing/publishing Carver's newspaper, Catalyst, under the direction of the Journalism teacher. Opportunities for independent study are available.
Literary Magazine
Students design and create Synergy, the showcase of literary arts. Visual Arts students contribute artwork and collaborate with the literary staff in the lay-out and design of this annual award-winning magazine. In addition, the Synergy staff organizes the Carver Coffee Houses and conducts fund-raising activities.
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Course Descriptions
Level I - Introduction to Literary Arts
Students are introduced to the writer's discipline in the workshop setting, as well as portfolio development and desktop publishing skills needed for participation in school publications. Avenues of pusblishing in outside magazines are explored.
Activities include the following: identify literary aspects of specific genres; manipulate language for clear, effective expression; develop author's voice and topics for portfolio pieces through continous journal writing; initiate management skills for portfolios; participate in literary arts activities such as Carver Coffeehouse readings and the production of Carver's literary magazine, Synergy; develop and present a personal anthology that showcases not only mastery of the skills taught at this level, but also growth as a writer.
Level II - The Profession of Writing and Journalism I
Students practice everyform of creative writing under the guidance of professional writers-in- residence. Practicing poets, playwrights, fiction writers, and journalists help students increase their knowledge of the "real world" aspects of writing. Activities include the following: learn to access publication sources outside Carver through research and development of cover letters and brief autobiographies; enter local and national writing contests; develop skills in oral presentation of original and published works; pursue personal styles and development of voice through continuous journal writing; develop portfolio pieces that reflect a diversity of the genres taught this year; participate in Carver Coffeehouse readings and contribute to the literarymagazine, Synergy. Journalism I introduces students to elements of nonfiction as well as to fundamental newspaper writing.
Level III - Literary Forms and Poetic Traditions
Students participate in the focused study of the foundations of literary forms in their historical context, with specific reference to the origin of the classical forms in drama, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, as well as their evolution to present day for the purpose of producing those forms in new ways in their own writing. Activities include the following: explore individual writing style through continuous journal writing; build portfolio for submission to local and national writing contests and publications; augment personal repertoire of writing forms through mini-lessons, readings, and practice; increase skills in peer conferring to develop editing and critiquing skills; participate in a fellowship program with Level 1 students; develop plan for senior project; participate in Carver Coffeehouse readings and the production of Synergy . (See below for list of options.)
Students explore works by well-and lesser-known poets from the tradition, as well as movements, styles, techniques and philosophies that have contributed to this tradition from Sappho to present-day writers. Assignments include both creative and critical responses to the works, as well as memorization exercises and the teaching of a class. One of the major goals of this course is to allow each student to locate themselves more fully within the literary tradition, while also revealing the vibrant and relevant resources available to them.
Level IV - Writing Seminar
Students determine their literary strengths in the different genres and then create, develop, revise, and polish their best pieces through focused editing with peers, redrafting as needed, and polishing under the guidance of professional writers working as mentors. The resultant works are entered into major local and national competitions and become part of the final portfolios for college.
•Based on reading published authors' direct/indirect statements of their writing values and grounded in their own experience and reflection of what is important to them as writers, students will craft their own statement of their writing values.
•Students complete in-depth work on their literary lineages, write a proposal for the presentation of this work, and then carry out the terms of their proposals.
•Responsiblities to the larger writing community are addressed through mentor journals with the Level 1 writers and through the administration of the Baltimore County Middle School Creative Writing Contest.
•Larger cultural literary issues of the role of language are addressed through critical readings and discussion of Hayakawa's, Language in Thought and Action.
•Internships and independent learning projects are designed and implemented.
•Portfolios for college admissions finalized.
•Seniors take charge of their final coffee house, the Senior Showcase.
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