Creative Writing Syllabus

CREATIVE WRITING

Nancy A. Henry, J.D. [email protected] [email protected] Office hours by appointment.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE ENG 201F 0007 T, TH 10:15-11:30 LAW 506 ENG 201F 0014 T, TH 1:15-2:30 PAYS 43

Fall 2008

COURSE DESCRIPTION: "Introduction to Creative Writing" is designed to acquaint students with the basic principles and techniques involved in writing poetry and fiction. The course usually includes students with a range of experience, from beginners to long-term writers. In order to make use of each other's experience and to practice "reading as writers," the class is conducted partly as a workshop. Course content consists of reading and writing assignments, plus class discussion of student writing. We will spend the first half the semester on poetry, then switch to fiction. ASSIGNMENTS: Weekly readings and exercises will be assigned throughout the semester. These will include both creative exercises and critical writing. Each week students will turn in, electronically, one poetry or fiction exercise and a one page response to the reading assignment. These will not be graded, but will be recorded and are necessary to successfully complete the course. At the end of the poetry section, students will turn in 4 revised poems for a grade. In addition to weekly fiction exercises, students will submit for a grade one substantial short story (10 to 12 pages), which will be work-shopped by the class, then revised for a final grade. This revised story and a collection of poems will be submitted in a final e-portfolio at the end of the term; the portfolio will also include two of the student's best pieces of critical writing.

We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out. --Ray Bradbury Student writing for workshops should be submitted one class period before the work is to be discussed. Late submission or absence on the day the work is to be critiqued--especially the long story--will result in forfeiture of

Practice yourself, for heaven’s sake, in little things; thence proceed to greater.

workshop and be reflected in the student's grade. Individual students

--Epictetus

are responsible for making copies of workshop writing and exercises for

ABSENCES: Students have two "no questions asked" absences but these must not be taken on the days your work is scheduled for critique. I recommend saving these days for illness or important appointments, as additional "no-penalty" days will not be given. A pattern of absences will affect the final grade. GRADES: Final grade will be based on a combination of: class participation, weekly assignment

class members. REQUIRED TEXTS: The Art of the Short Story Dana Gioia, R. S. Gwynn Staying Alive: Real Poems for Unreal Times Neil Astley, ed. On Writing Stephen King The Poet's Companion Addonizio and Laux

completion, and the final portfolio. Creative
Writing
Syllabus
 Fall
Semester
2008


ASSIGNMENTS: assignments will be updated on a weekly basis. WEEK# TUESDAY THURSDAY 1) 9/2, 9/4 Introductions Informal self-introduction essay 2) 9/9, 9/11 Can Poetry Matter? Journal--response to Can Poetry Matter? 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Student responsibilities: ¬ Be on time for class and remain for the entire class period. ¬ Turn off your cell phones; laptops and other electronic devices must remain closed and put away unless I specifically instruct you to use them. ¬ Competently use Internet resources. Portions of this course will be held in the “virtual” classroom space on our Blackboard space, and students may be referenced to online text, audio, or video files. The Blackboard component of the course is NOT optional and will count for contact time just like regular classroom time. In the event of closure of the campus due to weather issues, please check for assignments in the virtual space. ¬ Obtain a USM email account and check it, and Blackboard, daily. ¬ If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please contact the Office of Academic Support for Students with Disabilities, 237 Luther Bonney Hall, 7804706. ¬ Students will do their own work. Passing off the words or ideas of another as your own is grounds for failing the assignment and perhaps the course, depending on the degree of deceit involved in the offense. We will review standards for academic honesty and definitions of plagiarism in class. Plagiarism may be grounds for expulsion from the University. Please see me if you have any questions at all about proper citations or appropriate use of sources.

Eighty percent of success is showing up. Woody Allen Creative
Writing
Syllabus
 Fall
Semester
2008