Tasks and Duties
Objective: This week, the intern will focus on the initial phase of creative writing: brainstorming, planning, and concept development for a new narrative. The task is designed to help you conceptualize a short story or creative piece that could be used as a foundation or prototype for a creative writing course. The goal is to explore innovative ideas and strategies for building a narrative framework.
Expected Deliverable: A DOC file containing a comprehensive creative brief. This should include the story's premise, setting, potential conflict, target audience, and thematic elements. Include a detailed outline that shows the beginning, development, and conclusion of the proposed narrative.
Key Steps to Complete the Task:
- Conduct brainstorming sessions to generate multiple ideas. Consider using mind maps or lists.
- Decide on one idea to develop further, outlining the central narrative or message.
- Write a draft creative brief that discusses your idea in detail, including specific elements like plot structure, main conflict, and character motivations.
- Plan the structure and timeline of your narrative to ensure logical progression and emotional impact.
- Conclude with a reflective statement discussing the relevance of your chosen concept to the creative writing course objectives.
Evaluation Criteria: Your work will be evaluated on originality, clarity, developmental depth, and alignment with creative writing principles. Attention to detail, coherence, and a logical progression of ideas are key. The DOC file must be well-organized, articulate, and demonstrate a thorough thought process. Ensure the creative brief is meticulously proofread and formatted professionally. This task is estimated to require 30 to 35 hours of focused work.
Objective: This week, the focus shifts to the vital components of character development and world-building. Students will be tasked with designing intricate character profiles and the settings that are essential to their narrative concepts. The purpose is to create depth by exploring unique personality traits, backstories, and environmental elements that influence the narrative, qualities that are fundamental to creative writing courses.
Expected Deliverable: A DOC file containing detailed character sketches and environmental descriptions. Each character should have a profile that includes their history, motivations, conflicts, and development potential. The setting description must narrate the world’s ambiance, rules, and how it interacts with the characters.
Key Steps to Complete the Task:
- Identify at least three key characters central to your narrative.
- Develop individual profiles using creative prompts, including physical appearance, psychological depth, personal history, and internal conflicts.
- Create detailed descriptions of the various settings where the narrative unfolds, noting any distinct cultural or mystical elements.
- Link characters with settings by explaining how the environment affects character decisions and vice versa.
- Review and edit for narrative consistency, ensuring that every element contributes to a cohesive and immersive world.
Evaluation Criteria: Submissions will be assessed based on creativity, detail, and consistency. The DOC file should exhibit a robust narrative voice, well-rounded characterizations, and vivid environmental depictions. Clarity, organization, and thoroughness in highlighting the interplay between characters and their surroundings are key. The task is estimated to take about 30 to 35 hours, so manage your time effectively.
Objective: In this task, interns will move from planning and character setting to actual narrative execution. The objective is to draft the first version of a short story (or excerpt of a longer narrative) that integrates the previously defined concept, characters, and settings. This exercise is intended to enhance creative writing skills by applying theory to practice, stressing the importance of narrative flow, dialogue, and descriptive writing.
Expected Deliverable: A DOC file containing a well-structured narrative draft. The document should include an introduction, development of the plot, and a conclusion that reflects the creative journey of your characters and their world.
Key Steps to Complete the Task:
- Begin by reviewing your creative brief, character sketches, and setting narratives from previous weeks.
- Create an outline of the narrative to ensure a coherent structure with a clear theme and logical progression.
- Draft the narrative, paying close attention to the flow, pacing, and integration of dialogue and descriptive elements.
- Ensure that characters evolve naturally, and the setting plays a crucial role in shaping the storyline.
- Polish the draft by revising chunks of text for clarity, emotional impact, and narrative consistency.
Evaluation Criteria: The narrative draft will be evaluated on originality, readability, narrative structure, character development, and descriptive quality. Focus on creating an engaging story while adhering to the principles of creative writing taught in the course. The submitted DOC file should demonstrate a well-developed creative process and meet the expected length and complexity, reflecting 30 to 35 hours of dedicated work.
Objective: The final task centers on revising and refining the narrative draft produced in Week 3. Interns are expected to critically assess their work, identify areas for improvement, and enhance the overall narrative quality. This week also emphasizes the importance of self-evaluation, peer-like critique, and methodical editing to transform a good piece into an excellent one.
Expected Deliverable: A DOC file comprising a revised version of your narrative draft along with a separate section for a reflective critique. The document should detail changes made, the reasons behind them, and summarize how the final narrative better aligns with the objectives of a creative writing project.
Key Steps to Complete the Task:
- Conduct a thorough self-review of the draft, noting elements like narrative pace, character consistency, and descriptive depth.
- Create a checklist to systematically identify grammar, punctuation, and stylistic weaknesses.
- Revise the narrative accordingly, emphasizing areas that require tone enhancement, clarity, or dramatic tension.
- Add a reflective critique section that documents your revision process, the challenges encountered, and how you addressed them.
- Ensure all revisions yield a smooth, polished narrative that fulfills both creative and technical standards.
Evaluation Criteria: Your submission will be evaluated based on the depth of revision, the effectiveness of improvements, and the quality of your reflective critique. The DOC file should demonstrate significant enhancements over the original draft, displaying meticulous attention to editing and narrative coherence. The reflection must provide clear insights into your creative process. This final task is designed to be comprehensive and should represent approximately 30 to 35 hours of work.