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THE POWER OF WORDS

Module I: The Creative Process

Teacher Facilitation Guide

The following curriculum materials are designed to be used with the Achievement Television program Advocacy and Citizenship. VHS tapes of the program can be ordered through the Gift Shop of the Academy of Achievement web site.

Program Overview
The first module focuses on the creative process. Panelists share how they became professional writers. They discuss the role of both inspiration and hard work in the creative process. They provide students with helpful strategies about how they discipline themselves to stay with the writing process that often requires a demanding process of writing and rewriting. Panelists span many genres from poetry to screenplays and discuss the special requirements their genre presents. They discuss the different structures they use to frame their works and the process of letting characters sometimes take the lead in choosing the words they will say or the things they will do.

Viewing/Facilitation Strategies

• Introduce the Pre-Viewing Activity to the entire class. After students do their quick-writes, allow time for them to share their ideas.
• Review the profiles of the guest panelists and discuss each personps training and achievements. Discuss terms.
• View Module I and if time allows, immediately break into groups for the collaborative discussion activity.
• During a following class period, have the telecast available for review. Ask students to select a Curriculum Connections Activity to complete independently or with a partner.
• Assign the research project as a class requirement or as an optional independent project.

Student Activities

Pre-Viewing Activity:
After a class discussion about the power of words, students individually complete a quick write activity about how their favorite authors words in a powerful way.

Group Activity
In small groups, students trace three of the authors' journeys from young person to professional writer.

Student Academic Standards
Understands the effects of author's style and literary devices and techniques on the overall quality of a work
Uses language and perspectives of literary criticism to evaluate literary works
Uses precise and descriptive language that clarifies and enhances ideas and supports different purposes

Curriculum Connections Activities
History: Stephen E. Ambrose - Finding the Right Words Means Knowing Your Subject
Film Studies: George Lucas - Listening to Characters
Life Skills: Rita Dove - Inspiration and Discipline

Research Project
Students conduct research on how different authors set structures or frameworks for their works. They write essays that compare different approaches and genres.

Terms to Discuss

• Power
• Inspiration
• Self-discipline
• Voice
• Character
• Structure