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Creative Writing
Course Description
Creative writing, emphasis on composing creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. In other words, we will study the main genres of creative writing to prepare you for upper level creative writing courses in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. After we go over the genre characteristics and you have read several examples, you will have the opportunity to write an example of that genre. So--you will write a piece of creative nonfiction, a piece of fiction, and two or three poems.
Required Textbook(s)
There is no required text for this class -- all class material will be be provided by the instructor.
Reading is an important part of our course. Our course motto will be "The more you read, the more you will write. The better the stuff you read, the better the stuff you will write" (Annie Dillard).
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, you should understand the following:
l the basic techniques and terminology of fiction writing
l the basic techniques and terminology of creative non-fiction writing
l the basic techniques and terminology ofpoetry writing
l a workshop method of critiquing creative writing
l the importance of revision within the creative writing process
Course Schedule
Please note that the schedule is meant to give an overview of the major concepts of this course. Changes may occur in this calender as needed to aid in the student’s development.
Week 1 Structure of Creative Non-Fiction |
|
1 |
Discuss criteria of effective creative non fiction |
2 |
Discuss topics, events, characters for student publication |
3 |
Critique works distributed to class, what worked, what didn’t |
4 |
Hand in stories, distribute to class, critique |
5 |
Reflection on creative experience, comfort level with distribution |
Week 2 Fiction Short Story |
|
1 |
Discuss criteria of effective fiction short story |
2 |
Discuss topics, events, characters for student publication |
3 |
Critique works distributed to class, what worked, what didn’t |
4 |
Hand in stories, distribute to class, critique |
5 |
Reflection on creative experience, comfort level with distribution, quiz |
Week 3 Poetry |
|
1 |
Discuss types ofpoetry, what makes effective |
2 |
Discuss topic, first draft ofpoem |
3 |
Bring in a favorite poem and distribute it to classmates, analyze |
4 |
Distribute original poems to students, critique |
5 |
Reflection on creative experience, comfort level with distribution |
Week 4 Critique/Essay/Blog of Work of Specific Artist |
|
1 |
Share options for critique and essay/blog topics |
2 |
Discuss criteria for successful critique essay/blog |
3 |
Group critique of common piece to talk about organization |
4 |
Distribute original critiques and critique |
5 |
Reflection on creative experience, comfort level with distribution, quiz |
Week 5 Preparation of Portfolio |
|
1 |
Discuss elements ofportfolio |
2 |
Workshop individual elements ofportfolio |
3 |
Distribute and critique portfolios |
4 |
Hand in final portfolios; quiz |
5 |
Feedback, class and individual critiques |
Grading Policy
Your final grade is based on the following components:
Type |
Percentage |
Class Participation |
10% of grade |
Writing and Exercises |
20% of grade |
Workshop Critiques |
20% of grade |
Final Chapbook and Reading |
50% of grade |
Grading Scale
The instructor will use the grading system as applied by JNU:
Definition |
Letter Grade |
Score |
Excellent |
A |
90~ 100 |
Good |
B |
80~89 |
Satisfactory |
C |
70~79 |
Poor |
D |
60~69 |
Failed |
E |
Below 60 |