The Creative Writing Department

Students in the Creative Writing program study poetry, playwriting, short fiction, and literary theory while developing their skills as writers. 

The Creative Writing curriculum provides a foundation for the rigorous study of the practice of writing. Along with practicing techniques for writing, students develop their abilities to analyze and critique literature. Creative Writing is a four-year program for Cleveland School of the Arts students. 

Introduction to Creative Writing (9th Grade)

A required course for all entry year students, writers will be introduced to core elements of the creative writing major. Written work will be produced across a variety of genres as artists explore their voice among a community setting. Students should be prepared to write each day in a workshop setting acting as both a producer of literary work and as a critic.

Additional Course Offerings and Workshops (10th-12th Grade)

• Reading and Writing Poetry 
• The Short Story: Writing Fiction 
• Reading and Writing Creative Nonfiction 
• Contemporary Issues in Writing 
• The Theory and Practice of Poetry 
• Playwriting 
• Senior Seminar 
• Slam Poetry Workshops and Performances
• Partnerships with Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Twelve Literary Arts 

Students receive instruction from Creative Writing faculty. Instructors guide student development through intensive peer-to-peer writing workshops, Socratic seminars on literature, and literary analysis.

Creative Writing Audition Requirements:

A complete Creative Writing audition includes: submission of a literary portfolio, a performance of at least one piece from the portfolio, an interview and participation in a brief workshop that includes an on-demand writing prompt.

Guidelines:

• All work must be written by the student and include the student’s name and the title of the piece.
• Copies of work are highly suggested as the portfolio will be collected and not returned.
• Typed portfolios must be 2-5 pages in length.
• Students must be prepared to recite/perform a piece of their original work.
• Additional work may be brought to the audition and may be requested by the adjudicators.

 Portfolio Requirements (Writing samples):

• One poem written in a traditional literary form.
• One poem that best represents the writer’s individual authentic voice.
• One non-poem piece that can be in any other form, including but not limited to: fiction, drama, creative non-fiction, song lyrics, or rap lyrics.