课程简介
每人都有各自的传奇。能否讲述捕获人心的个人故事在人生各种关键时刻至关重要:俱乐部竞选、夏校申请、K-12私校申请、大学申请、奖学金申请、第一份工作面试、职场升迁……通过讲述自己的故事,我们向外展现自己、向内寻找人生意义。
尽管讲述个人故事的能力惠及一生,但全美中学课程鲜有专门教授和培养学生这一本领。本课程重点指引学生作为书写者如何向读者讲述自己以及所在群体的故事。我们将基于富于创造力的范文,筑造起对自我陈述类文本格式与功能的全面理解。
通过对例文的讲解和完备的文体写作练习,本教程将指引学生:
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掌握个人陈述写作的精髓,拥有一套行之有效的个人陈述写作方法;
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养成终身自省的习惯,树立对自我的独特认知,学会积极地塑造个人历史和未来;
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培养出别具一格的经典赏析能力及对写作的挚诚爱好。
世界中学生百字自述征文大赛特训
本课程专设一次写作特训,指导学生选取一次人生经历,创作一篇短小精悍、力透纸背、真情流露、独具个人特色的自传故事,用于参与《纽约时报》举办的年度世界中学生百字自述征文大赛。
这次特训将为同学们提供一个聆听、分享、共情、成长的开放空间,让同学们不仅在写作技巧上、更在人生成长方面受益良多,同时也作为日后大学申请自我陈述写作的一次实战预演。
比赛规则: 参赛征文应短小、有力、真实,叙写参赛者个人的一次有意义的人生经历。正文不超过100字,不含标题。
年龄要求:13-19岁初高中生
**其它接受自传体投稿的写作竞赛:
Mr. Kemick老师:获奖诗人、记者、小说家。他的新书《I Am Herod》带领读者深入幕后、揭开全球最宏大的宗教事件之一的真相。他还出版过诗集《Caribou Run》。Mr. Kemick老师从事诗歌、纪实文学和小说三体创作,还在英加两国出版过不同的文选。获奖众多,包括两届国家优秀杂志文学奖。Mr. Kemick老师现在是卡尔加里大学庞巴迪学者、英语文学/创意写作在读博士。
授课老师:Dr. Kemick
英文创意写作博士
获奖诗人/记者/小说家
Dr. Kemick老师从事诗歌、纪实文学和小说三体创作,作品收入北美和欧洲多部文选。获奖众多,包括两届国家优秀杂志文学奖。他的新书《I Am Herod》带领读者深入幕后、揭开全球最宏大的宗教事件之一的真相。他还出版过诗集《Caribou Run》。
开设课程
《自传体写作精要》、《深入经典》、《世界短篇小说巡礼》、《佳作磨坊》及《解锁莎士比亚》
Dr. Kemick老师讲述自己的故事:对微型圣诞村庄的执念。
课堂讨论问题拾瑛
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如何在各种场合——中学私校申请、大学申请甚至未来职场面试——针对听众需求筛选个人故事、塑造个人形象?
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如何增添个人风格让文字更引人入胜?
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如何清晰利索地表达错综复杂的观点?
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如何通过暗喻和意象让文字耐人寻味?
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一个层层递进、突显主题的段落有什么特点?
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为什么说“如何写”和“写什么”同等重要?
课堂围绕对文本的细读和讨论分析展开。我们鼓励同学们把自己喜爱的范本带入课堂讨论,通过经典文本和自选范文的分析实现教学和兴趣的结合。课程要求同学们完成形式多样的习作,导师会带领同学一起修改并给出建议。课程结束时,导师会针对每个同学提出具有针对性的整体评价和建议。
作业和反馈
学生家长评价
"I enjoyed the much more in-depth and challenging discussion about the subjects. It was unbelievably helpful and really opened my eyes to what I could write. As for the instructor, I have never had an instructor or English teacher as compassionate, patient, knowledgeable, and articulate as Dr. Kemick. He has definitely played a big role in my writing journey, and has brought forth so many new ideas and thought processes to the table."
“I enjoyed the discussions and the questions that he asked us to answer and because I was doing it with my friends it made it more fun to talk and collaborate. The assignments that were assigned were very different than what I'm used to, but I really enjoyed them because they were creative writing. Our instructor Mr. Kemick is really nice and honestly makes you feel welcome to talk and he was fun to listen to. He makes us answer questions so we can teach each other.”
"I did enjoy the course; I really liked how flexible it was and how the instructor would adjust the syllabus based on our personal needs and always asked for our opinions on homework assignments and reading material. The instructor’s greatest strengths were the questions he asked us during class to lead us into further understanding and interpreting a certain story or article, since it really forced us to think deeper and process what we were reading, and it also taught us that in the future, we can ask those questions to ourselves to help digest a piece of writing. I also particularly liked how he would give us very straight-to-the-point feedback, both good and bad, to help us realize our shortcomings and help us improve for next time."
"I really enjoyed the deep and thoughtful conversations that we had on the different books. This class really was an eye opener into the world of classical literature and I liked the variety of books that we were able to read and discuss. Dr. Kemick is phenomenal at encouraging conversation and deep thinking."
"The course material was new and the instructor made the sessions engaging. I liked the small class size and how the instructor called on people instead of making us volunteer. This forced me to do my homework on time so I wouldn't embarrass myself. The assigned/recommended reading list on the syllabus was interesting and I will probably find myself going back to finish reading all of them."
"I really enjoyed the course in general. The teacher made me look forward to the classes each week, and on top of that, I learned a ton of new information. I think the course was pretty much perfect, and I do not have any suggestions for how to improve it."
"I enjoyed this course. Dr. Kemick was very straightforward in letting me know what he wanted. His methods are clear, concise, and easy to understand. In my opinion, his lack of sugarcoating is one of his strengths. His lessons were beneficial for letting me write more descriptive essays"
"I think this course did help my writing skills. The instructor is super chill and really smart. In his analysis, he's able to pick apart the small details of one's writing and see their main point/big picture. His advice really helped my writing skills"
"Mr. Kenwick is a very experienced instructor. He is good at engaging his students to participate in class discussion and delivering the lecture in a way which won’t make his audience feel bored. My daughter enjoyed attending his class."
"I enjoyed the readings he chose to share with us and the helpful tips he gave. I think the strength of the instructor is asking questions about the text that allow us to interpret the text better."
"I enjoyed the part where the instructor would go over our homework in class and give feedback. The instructor was very clear which made it easy to understand."
"I like the questions the instructor asked to help the understanding of the readings. The readings are fun and interesting. The instructor is thoughtful and open to different ideas."
"Richard was approachable, friendly, and enthusiastic, which made me want to come to class. I learned a lot from him."
"Richard was very approachable and very helpful. He explained everything with great detail, and he made the class very fun and entertaining."
"Richard’s enthusiasm and humor approach to the course made it entertaining while also making it easy to learn."
"Richard has a very unique way of explaining things which have proved to be very helpful."
“孩子主动愿意加课也实在是罕见而难得,可见她是真喜欢。她现在会期待英语课呢!我都有点不敢相信,以为自己听错了!”
“孩子们喜欢老师的教学风格,很好。公校英文教学死板、肤浅。我希望老师能时时敲打学生的弱点,提升他们对英语的兴趣。以致于发现英语的美,掌握并运用它。”