Tasks and Duties
Task Objective
The aim of this task is to ignite your creative process by developing an innovative and compelling story concept that aligns with creative writing course principles. You will focus on exploratory research, brainstorming, and conceptual framework design. The output is a detailed story proposal that articulates the central theme, potential narrative arcs, key setting details, and high-level character outlines.
Expected Deliverables
- A DOC file that includes a comprehensive story proposal.
- Concept maps, brainstorming notes, and structured outlines.
Key Steps
- Research and Inspiration: Begin with a literature review of genres and narrative techniques relevant to creative writing. Use publicly available articles, essays, and case studies.
- Brainstorming Session: Perform an extensive brainstorming session. Create mind maps or lists to explore various themes, settings, and conflicts.
- Develop the Concept: Outline the main storyline by identifying the protagonist, primary conflict, setting, and narrative structure. Detail any unique elements that make your concept stand out.
- Draft the Proposal: Structure your DOC file with clear headings for Theme, Plot Overview, Character Sketches, and Narrative Techniques. Include diagrams or bullet lists as needed.
- Review and Edit: Ensure that your narrative is logically fluent and rich in creative details. Ask yourself if the concept can engage and challenge readers in a creative writing context.
Evaluation Criteria
- Clarity and originality of the story concept.
- Depth and thoroughness of research and brainstorming documentation.
- Quality of structure and coherence in the written proposal.
- Proper DOC file formatting adhering to the guidelines.
This task is designed to take approximately 30-35 hours of work. Dedicate time to both creative exploration and structured planning, ensuring that the proposal serves as a robust foundation for future narrative development.
Task Objective
This week's task is focused on developing deep, multidimensional characters and constructing a believable world where the narrative will unfold. Your goal is to create detailed character profiles and a vivid setting that gives life to your story concept. This task is crucial for creative writing, as well-developed characters and immersive settings are the backbone of captivating storytelling.
Expected Deliverables
- A DOC file containing detailed character profiles and world-building documentation.
- Character sketches, personality traits, backgrounds, and relationships with other characters.
- Comprehensive descriptions of environments, cultures, and the overall atmosphere of the story world.
Key Steps
- Character Blueprint: Start by listing main and secondary characters. For each, describe physical features, emotional attributes, personal history, motivations, conflicts, and how they interact within the narrative.
- World Structure: Create a detailed description of the story setting, including geography, societal norms, historical context, and unique phenomena or rules governing the world.
- Integration and Interrelation: Map out how characters fit into the world. Describe relationships, socio-cultural dynamics, and potential conflicts. Use diagrams or character interrelation charts if necessary.
- Documentation: Organize your DOC file with dedicated sections for each character and world elements. Use subheadings like 'Character Profiles' and 'World Overview' to maintain clarity.
- Revision: Review to ensure consistency, logical flow, and creativity. Confirm that your setting enriches the overall narrative rather than distracting from it.
Evaluation Criteria
- Depth and originality in character creation.
- Richness and clarity of the world-building process.
- Logical integration and relationship mapping between characters and their environment.
- Adherence to the DOC file format with organized sections and clear headings.
This task is designed to require approximately 30-35 hours of focused work. Ensure that every aspect of your creative design supports a coherent and immersive narrative experience for an audience engaged in creative writing.
Task Objective
The objective of this task is to move from concept and planning into actual narrative drafting. This week, your focus is on executing your creative ideas by writing a substantial portion of your story based on the concepts, characters, and world-building elements previously developed. This is a critical phase where you take draft ideas and translate them into a flowing narrative that reflects original creative vision and writing style.
Expected Deliverables
- A DOC file containing the first draft of your narrative (approximately 3000-5000 words) that evidences a thorough application of creative writing principles.
- In-line editing notes and rationale for creative choices where applicable.
Key Steps
- Outline Refinement: Review your earlier work and create a refined outline that will guide the structure of your narrative draft. Break down the outline into chapters or segments.
- Drafting Process: Write your narrative adhering to the outline, ensuring that the storyline, dialogue, descriptions, and character interactions are well-sequenced and engaging. Emphasize a natural flow of ideas and creative voice.
- Integration of Creative Elements: Utilize creative writing techniques, including varied sentence structures, metaphorical language, and vividly descriptive passages that bring your story to life.
- Self-Review and Revision: Periodically pause to re-read and adjust the text. Include any editing notes or creative decisions made along the way in your DOC file.
- Final Compilation: Assemble your work in a structured DOC file with clearly marked sections such as Introduction, Body, Conclusion, and a section for editing insights.
Evaluation Criteria
- Coherence and creativity in the narrative draft.
- Effective use of creative writing techniques to enhance storytelling.
- Logical structure, pacing, and seamless flow of ideas.
- Adherence to the DOC file submission format with clearly demarcated sections and in-line editing notes.
You are expected to spend 30 to 35 hours on this task, making sure to iteratively draft, review, and polish your narrative. This task challenges you to translate planning into execution and establishes the foundation of your full creative work.
Task Objective
This final task in your virtual internship is designed to hone your revision skills by critically editing your narrative, assessing its creative effectiveness, and reflecting on your creative process. The goal is to refine your narrative to a polished state while also providing insight into your creative decision-making and areas for future improvement.
Expected Deliverables
- A DOC file containing the edited and revised version of your draft narrative.
- A reflective analysis section that describes your revision process, challenges encountered, and overall learning outcomes.
- Before-and-after excerpts that highlight significant improvements in narrative quality.
Key Steps
- Comprehensive Editing: Re-read your narrative draft from Week 3, focusing on grammar, style, coherence, and creative tone. Make detailed corrections and refine your language, sentence structure, and narrative flow.
- Peer-Review Simulation: As part of your reflective exercise, simulate a peer-review by critiquing your own work as if you were a reader. Document your critique and how you decided to address these issues in your revisions.
- Reflective Analysis: Write a detailed reflection that explains the challenges you faced, the feedback you anticipated (or simulated), and the strategies you employed to resolve narrative weaknesses. Discuss what you learned about your creative style and areas for future development.
- Documentation of Changes: Include sections demonstrating before-and-after versions of key narrative excerpts to illustrate the improvements made.
- Final Review: Compile all changes, reflective notes, and final narrative in a well-organized DOC file. Ensure that all sections are clearly labeled for ease of reading.
Evaluation Criteria
- Quality and thoroughness of the editing process.
- Depth of reflective analysis in identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
- Clarity of before-and-after comparisons and supporting documentation.
- Overall presentation and adherence to DOC file structure and formatting guidelines.
This task should take you approximately 30-35 hours, ensuring that you critically evaluate and refine your narrative while gaining valuable insights into your creative process. This final submission will not only demonstrate your technical editing skills but also your ability to reflect on and articulate your own creative growth.