Academia Winter Holiday Writing Modules
We’re pleased to present Academia’s Winter Holiday Writing Modules for 2024. During the holiday seasons, Academia releases fun holiday modules that are designed to tangibly contribute to students’ academic portfolios in a shorter time span, ranging from 2-day workshops to 3-day symposiums. These modules we have today have been run as early as 2016, accumulating in resources and quality that are renewed and refreshed annually.
Find out more about each of the modules below.
- Writing 003 (P1 to P2 students in 2025): A Storyteller’s Journey – Navigating through the Story Structure
- Writing 110 (P3 to P4 students in 2025): Everyday Heroes – A Characterisation Workshop
- Writing 202 (P5 to P6 students in 2025): Everyday Experiences – A Composition Module
- Writing 203 (P5 to P6 students in 2025): A Writer’s Tools – Narrative Structure and Descriptive Techniques
WRITING 003
A Storyteller’s Journey: Navigating through the Story Structure
The early primary school years are a pivotal time for younger students to gain strong writing skills and cultivate positive attitudes towards writing, to develop important cognitive and creative abilities that are essential for success in school.
This 3-day workshop focuses on understanding the key elements that make up a compelling story. Through a series of guided exercises and group discussions, the students will gain a deeper understanding on the basic components of a story, such as characters, setting, plot, conflict and resolution. They will learn techniques of organising their thoughts and ideas to produce a coherent and structured narrative, incorporating storylines and ideas from renowned fairy tales.
This workshop provides an opportunity for students to build their foundation and become familiar with the skeleton of story-writing that will prepare them for the intricacies of composition writing. At the end of the workshops, students will be able to identify the main idea and the structural components of a story, in order to compare and contrast different stories based on their structure and elements. Through this learning process, they will create their own stories with a clear beginning, middle and end.
The Brief:
18 – 20 November 2024
Monday – Wednesday
10am – 12pm
On-Campus
240 before GST
WRITING 110
Everyday Heroes: A Characterisation Workshop
Professional writers create stories built around characters, which is an effective way to ground our writing in something tangible and, most importantly, relatable. This workshop is designed to teach Primary 3 to 4 students how to apply the same techniques to their own writing.
Over the course of the workshop, we’ll break down the components of a good story into bite-sized activities that rely on sensorial stimuli, allowing young writers to phenomenologically internalise and translate these insights on paper. These include grammar and vocabulary boosters, kinaesthetic character development, and channeling emotions to writing. Students will take away a new theoretical framework in the form of storyboarding.
At the end of the workshop, each student will be walking away with their very own creations — and the ability to craft more!
The Brief:
First Run:
19 – 20 November 2024
Tuesday – Wednesday
10am – 12pm
Second Run:
28 – 29 November 2024
Thursday – Friday
10am – 12pm
On-Campus
160 before GST
WRITING 202
Everyday Experiences: A Composition Module
Everyday experiences not only shape our lives but are also a significant aspect of the PSLE syllabus. This module dives into three classic topics commonly encountered in the exam, helping students relate their personal experiences to the scenarios presented in the writing tasks. By connecting daily life to academic content, students gain a stronger understanding of how to approach writing with relevance and authenticity.
The module emphasizes productive writing skills, equipping students with techniques to craft coherent and compelling essays. Through targeted practice, students learn to organize their thoughts, develop their ideas effectively, and refine their writing style. The focus on productive writing ensures that students not only grasp the subject matter but also articulate their responses clearly.
Additionally, time management strategies are integrated into the learning process, as efficient use of time is crucial for success. Students practice managing their writing process within specific timeframes, tightening their narratives without excessive meandering. This combination of content mastery, writing techniques, and time management sets students up to complete their compositions with confidence.
The Brief:
19 – 21 November 2024
Tuesday – Thursday
10am – 12pm
On-Campus
300 before GST
WRITING 203
A Writer’s Tools: Narrative Structure and Descriptive Techniques
Composition writing in upper primary can be challenging because it requires students to write longer and more structured compositions, use a wider range of vocabulary, and develop a deeper understanding of narrative structure, organization, and descriptive language. Additionally, upper primary students are often required to write compositions on a variety of topics, which can be unfamiliar and require research and critical thinking skills.
This 2-day writing workshop is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the basic elements of each part of the story curve. Students will learn how to establish a story introduction with character backstory and setting description, build suspense in the rising action and climax, and flesh out the falling action and conclusion for a well-rounded story.
We go beyond the basics of narrative structure to teach students how to use descriptive techniques to bring their stories to life. With a focus on upgrading their vocabulary, students will learn to vividly describe emotions, dialogue, and actions. They will also learn how to paint a picture with their words and create a world that readers will want to immerse themselves in. Through personalized feedback and constructive criticism, we will help students develop their unique writing style and become confident and skilled writers.
The Brief
28 – 29 November 2024
Thursday – Friday
10am – 12pm
On-Campus
200 before GST
Academia Privileges
All existing Academia students are granted an exclusive 20% discount to the workshop fees, before GST. Friends of Academia students will also be granted this discount if they attend the workshop together.
Immerse yourself in the A-class experience this holidays.