I used to teach a creative writing course to high school seniors.
Although allowing students to write whatever they like sounds nice, it becomes very difficult to handle.
It's easier to give them short assignments where they can explore different genres so they can understand the nature of story writing.
For example: Let them read all or part of To Kill A Mockingbird. Then get them to write a first person narrative based on something meaningful that happened in their own lives.
or
Read the short story by Guy de Maupassant or O'Henry. One is called The Gift of the Magi, the other the Necklace. Basically, they're the same story. Then get the kids to write a short story based around an object (real or imaginary), symbolic or not.
By choosing the skill you're trying to teach, you are allowing the students the opportunity to choose their own topics and develop their own style.
Good luck,
gerry
