The One Year Adventure Novel

Course Description:

The OYAN course has two aims. First, it seeks to teach students the core storytelling techniques, with the aim of helping them become more conscious creators and consumers of the stories they both engage with and create in their everyday lives. Secondly, this course teaches students the structure, principles, and writing habits necessary to create a compelling, workable novel draft that is complete and has undergone at least one revision by the end of the course.

Grade breakdown:

The course is broken down as follows:

Homework sheets

1,170 points (30 each)

Quizzes

260 points (10 each)

Participation, including class discussion and peer review.

340 points (10 per week)

Chapter submissions

1,200 points (100 each)

Total:

2,970

Extra credit (optional) may be assigned throughout the semester.

Classroom expectations:

Students are expected to have completed assignments and assigned reading from the previous class period by the start of the next class. Quizzes will be taken in class.

This is a discussion- and workshop-based class, which means students will need to engage both in class discussions of reading material and in giving helpful, thoughtful, and respectful feedback to their peers.

Novel Lengths

Required lengths for student novels vary by age, and are listed below:

7th grade - 9,000 words (average of 750 words per chapter)

8th grade - 12,000 words (average of 1,000 words per chapter)

9th grade - 15,000 words (average of 1,250 words per chapter)

10th grade - 18,000 words (average of 1,500 words per chapter)

11th grade - 21,000 words (average of 1,750 words per chapter)

12th grade - 24,000 words (average of 2,000 words per chapter)

Forum Usage

Students may not access the OYAN forum in class, but are encouraged to do so outside of class after we go over forum basics about halfway through the fall semester. However, in order for a student to be able to create a forum account on that day, they will need to bring two things to class:

Their own laptop or tablet.
A copy of the form below, signed by their parent.

*This syllabus and course schedule are subject to change at instructor discretion.

Forum Consent Form

The OYAN student forum is moderated by OYAN staff along with select student volunteers. Aside from staff and other moderators, this forum is for ages 13-18, and allows students a place to share their ideas and work, get feedback from other writers, and develop their critiquing skills by offering similar feedback. There are also many opportunities for discussions around writing and creative topics.

The student forum provides access to peer review and writing community that extends beyond the classroom in a very meaningful way. It can and has had huge impact on the growth of other OYAN students, and the community aspect of the forum can foster a sense of connectedness that is often missing from writing (which is often considered a solitary art).

While the OYAN staff does an excellent job moderating, it is important to note that they do not read every discussion thread or every private message. There are readily available avenues for addressing concerns as they come up, reporting discussions, etc., but staff is often dependant on the communication of members to know what issues need to be addressed. That said, it will be important for you to be aware of your student’s activity on the forum as well, to whatever extent you see fit, and to discuss your family’s expectations for online interactions with your student.

Please check one:

⃝ I have read the above and give my consent for my student to set up a forum account in class.

⃝ I have read the above and do not want my student to have a forum account.

Name of student: ______________________________________

Name of parent: ______________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________

Date: ______________________________________