ENGL 145 - Creative Writing Workshop

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
The course will serve as an introduction to the writing of original poetry and short fiction.  Instruction in literary techniques will direct the student’s writing.  In addition to working within literary conventions to produce manuscripts, students will be exposed to exemplary texts by selected authors. Students will learn to critique their own work and the work of others by participating in writing workshops.  Students will be introduced to markets for creative writing and will be encouraged to submit work for publication.

Note Spring semester only.

Prerequisite ENGL 101 or permission of instructor.

VanderMeer, Jeff. Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction, Revised and Expanded. 1st ed. New York: Abrams, 2018. Print.

Objectives
The student will be able to:

A. Produce a portfolio of fiction and poetry.

B. Use some of the strategies available to the practitioners of fiction and poetry.

C. Apply the writing process or pre-writing, writing, and revising to all assignments.

D. Demonstrate a familiarity with the workshop process of self and group analysis and critique.

E. Revise developed work into final form.

F. Prepare a submission to a literary magazine that conforms to professional conventions in the field.

Content
A. Readings of selected literary texts as examples of form.

B. Discussions on subject matter, form, and style.

C. In-class writing exercises.

D. Production of poetry and fiction in a variety of styles and forms.

E. Discussions, demonstrations, and practice in editing and revising.

F. Development of a portfolio of creative work.

G. Submission procedures for literary magazines.

Student Evaluation
A. A portfolio of creative work.

B. Writing assignments and exercises.

C. Class participation and interaction.

D. Tests and quizzes.

Bibliography
Burroway, Janet. Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft. New York: Longman, 2003. Print.

Clark, Roy Peter. Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer. New York: Little, Brown, 2008. Print.

LaPlante, Alice. The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing. New York: W.W. Norton, 2007. Print.

Sellers, Heather. The Practice of Creative Writing: A Guide for Students. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008. Print.

Starkey, David. Creative Writing Four Genres in Brief. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s, 2013. Print.

Thiel, Diane. Crossroads: Creative Writing Exercises in Four Genres. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2005. Print.