INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING-ENGL 3800 (Fall 2007)
Section 01 (CRN 85424) & section 02 (CRN 85425)
MWF 1:30-2:20pm—G131 (A&S Bldg) & MWF 2:30-3:30pm—T201 (Technology Bldg)
Dr. Brigitte Byrd
Office: A&S 210M
brigittebyrd@clayton.edu
Office Phone: (678) 466-4556
http://a-s.clayton.edu/langlit/faculty/Byrd.htm Office hours: TBA
(and by appointment)
Texts:
Tell It Slant, ed. Brenda Miller and Suzanne Paola
New Sudden Fiction, ed. Robert Shapard & James Thomas
Poemcrazy, Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge
NOTE: I will use these texts again, along with others, in Advanced Creative Writing courses, so you may keep them.
Additional Required Materials:
A notebook
2 manila folders in which you will turn your midterm and final portfolios
$25 for copying expenses
Notebook Computer Requirement:
Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.
In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:
Student notebook computers will not be used in the classroom except for presentations (if needed). Computers are required to access course materials and to communicate with me.
Catalog Description:
Introductory study in imaginative writing emphasizing selected readings in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction as well as student writing in these genres.
Course Objectives:
In this course, you will be introduced to the craft of writing creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. We will start with the study of the basics of good writing in any form, with an emphasis on prose writing, first--scene versus exposition, specificity and detail, developing character, dialogue, point of view, the rhythm of sentences, and image and metaphor. As we study each one of these elements of prose writing, we will read from a series of selected creative nonfiction and fiction pieces. This reading will provide you with models for your own prose writing.
As the semester progresses, we will focus on poetry writing, especially on the concepts of concreteness (vs. abstraction), image, sound effects, rhythm, and shape. There again, we will read from a selection of poems which will serve as models for your poetry writing.
Through a broad array of exercises, you will write in all genres during the semester. The final portfolio will be a body of work including your favorite piece (an essay, a short story, or two to three poems), which you will revise thoroughly (we will workshop this piece during the second half of the semester).
In order for you to spend time on your revisions, the last week of class will be devoted to group presentations/performances. Each group will select a piece of creative nonfiction, fiction, or poetry we read over the semester and perform it creatively.
NOTE: I will provide you with a schedule of literary events taking place during the semester. Check the link on the Language & Literature webpage for a schedule of the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Fall 2007.
Reading Response Journals:
You will respond to each reading assigned. I am looking for an engagement with the text, and most particularly for a study of the technique (rather maybe of one particular aspect of it) employed by its author. I do not want a synopsis of the text: we all read the text thus know what it is about. Length: half a page single-spaced.
Exercises:
After starting most of the exercises in class, you will finish them at home, type and edit them before placing them in your folder. These exercises are designed to prompt you into writing a longer piece eventually.
Late work Policy:
I do not accept late work. Late work will receive a 0 unless arrangements are made between us before a planned absence or immediately after class, in the case of a personal emergency. Once we have made arrangements, you will turn the paper in question directly to me.
Presentation / Performance:
Presentations will occur at the end of the semester. These are group projects. Each group will choose a text we have read in class and perform this text creatively using a different medium.
Conferences:
Although I encourage students to visit me during my office hours, I also require 1 mandatory conference. Not showing up at a scheduled conference is the equivalent of 2 absences.
Visiting Writers Reading Series:
Mandatory attendance to at least two events from the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series. If your school schedule or your work schedule prevents you from attending the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series, you need to see me by September 1st so that we may make other arrangements.
*You will notice that I have canceled four class meetings this semester in order to make up for your attendance to our Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series (fall 2007).
University Policies:
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and to the Basic Undergraduate Student responsibility http://as.clayton.edu/BasicUndergraduateStudentResponsibilities.htm
University Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine what excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient causes for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.
Attendance Policy (specific to this course):
Attendance is expected for all class periods. Attendance is mandatory for workshops and presentations. Attendance to at least two events from the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series is also mandatory. By “mandatory” I mean that failing to comply with the previous requirements will result in dropping one letter grade from your overall grade. An excused absence is an absence for which you provide me with a note from your doctor or other competent authority. Any absence after 2 excused absences will affect your participation grade. After 6 excused or unexcused absences, your overall grade for the course will drop one letter grade then one additional letter grade for each additional absence.
**You will notice that I have canceled four class meetings this semester in order to make up for your attendance to our Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series (fall 2007).
Tardiness:
Although I understand that circumstances may occur so that a student may be 5 minutes late to class, being repetitively late 15 minutes or more to class disturbs class. Four instances of 15 minutes or more tardiness to class will result in one absence.
Plagiarism:
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. Plagiarism is one of the most common forms of academic misconduct. It will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is a counterproductive, non-writing behavior that is unacceptable in a course intended to aid the growth of individual writers. Plagiarism is representing another’s work or part thereof, be it published or unpublished, as one’s own. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at
http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentlife/judicial_affairs.htm.
Disability Services:
Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact
the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 678-466-5445.
disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.
Evaluation:
In order to receive a C in this course, you must turn in all the written work below on time and contribute to a presentation/performance. Remember that attendance is required and that after 6 absences, your overall grade starts dropping. Similarly Attendance is mandatory for workshops and presentations. Attendance to at least two other events from the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series is also mandatory. By “mandatory” I mean that failing to comply with the previous requirements will result in dropping one letter grade from your overall grade.
Midterm Portfolio (30%):
10 typed reading journal responses 10%
5 finished & typed exercises 10%
Participation 10%
Final Portfolio (70%):
10 typed reading journal responses 10%
5 finished & typed exercises 10%
Participation 10%
Presentation/Performance 10%
First draft favorite piece (2 to 3 page short-story, essay, or 3 poems)
Final draft favorite piece 20%
Small notebook and recording of poems 10%
Peers response evaluation sheet
Grading:
A 90 - 100% Outstanding Achievement: Significantly Exceeds Standards
B 80 - 89% Commendable Achievement: Exceeds Standards
C 70 - 79% Acceptable Achievement: Meets Standards
D 60 - 69% Marginal Achievement: Below Standards
F below 60% Failing
Mid-term Progress Report:
The mid-term grade in this course, which will be issued on October 9th, 2007, reflects your progress in the class 7 weeks into the semester. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W." Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, within a couple of days.
* * * * *
Course Schedule:
NOTE: I will refer to the texts as indicated below.
TIS for Tell It Slant
NSF for New Sudden Fiction
PC for Poemcrazy
As most writers do, you will keep a small notebook with you at all time during this term so that you can record thoughts, dreams, observations, and start a list of words. Your notebook then becomes a pool of words and ideas for you to use in your creative work.
Week 1
8/20 Introduction to the course
8/22 Introduction to peers
8/24 TIS 8-21 “The Basics of Good Writing in Any Form,” reading journal 1
Creative Nonfiction Unit
Week 2
8/27 TIS 28-46 “The Particular Challenges of Creative Nonfiction,” reading journal 2
8/29 TIS Terry Tempest Williams 426-33, reading journal 3, in-class exercise 1 (scene vs. exposition)
8/31 TIS Brent Staples 405-09, reading journal 4, exercise 1 due
Week 3
9/03 LABOR DAY: NO CLASS MEETING
9/05 TIS Maxine Hong Kingston 348-58, reading journal 5, exercise 2 due (developing character), handout distributed (Geoff Dyer)
9/07 Handout Geoff Dyer, reading journal 6, exercise 3 due (dialogue), TIS 28-46, reading journal 6, Sign up for a conference
Week 4
9/10 No class for attending a reading from Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series
9/12 TIS Bharati Mukherjee 369-72, reading journal 7, TIS Bhanu Kapil Rider 382-83, reading journal 8
9/14 TIS Paisley Rekdal 378-81, reading journal 9, in-class exercise 4 (taste)
Week 5
9/17 MANDATORY CONFERENCE: NO CLASS MEETING
9/19 MANDATORY CONFERENCE: NO CLASS MEETING
9/21 MANDATORY CONFERENCE: NO CLASS MEETING
Fiction Unit
Note: since we will read short-short fiction, each reading journal entry will include two or three stories (think one short paragraph per story)
Week 6
9/24 Introduction to short-short stories: NSF “Editor’s Note”
9/26 NSF Peter Orner 29-33, Tobias Wolff 47-51, Sam Shephard 57-62, reading journal 10
9/28 In-class exercise 5 (sound)—don’t forget to bring a CD of music to class today! Midterm portfolio due in class (you will add exercise 5 to the portfolio at the end of class, and don’t forget to include reading journal 10!)
Week 7
10/01 NSF Aimee Bender 63-67, Ian Frazier 73-77, Joyce Carol Oates 90-94, reading journal response 1, in-class exercise 1 (plot), bring a copy of exercise 2 from midterm portfolio to class.
10/03 Exercise 1 due, workshop
10/05 No class for attending a reading from Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series
Week 8
10/08 NSF Lynn Freed 122-26, Touré 159-63, Katherin Nolte 164-70, reading journal 2, in-class exercise 2 (point of view)
10/10 Exercise 2 due, workshop
10/12 NSF Larissa Amir 182-88, Benjamin Alire Saenz 201-05, Stephanie Waxman 206-11, reading journal 3
Poetry Unit
NOTES:
1) You must sign on to Poetry Daily on the web at http://www.poems.com and read a new poem everyday—at least during this unit. You will keep a record of the poems posted on MTWRF of weeks 9-10 (10 entries) by writing down the name of the author, the name of the poem, a passage from the poem which you find particularly interesting. PRINT EACH POEM AND BRING TO CLASS ALL POEMS READ BY THE TIME OF MEETING.
2) You will notice that you only have 8 reading responses due for the final portfolio, which means that you will write a paragraph for each reading event you attended in addition to your reading responses.
Week 9
10/15 PC 2-46, reading journal 4, in-class exercise 3 (image)
10/17 PC 48-93, reading journal 5, exercise 3 due, workshop
10/19 No class for attending a reading from Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series
Week 10
10/22 No class for attending a reading from Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series
10/24 PC 96-126, reading journal 6, in-class exercise 4 (concreteness & abstraction)
10/26 Exercise 4 due, workshop
Week 11
10/29 PC 128-71, reading journal 7
10/31 PC 174-208, reading journal 8, group 1 distributes selected piece to class
11/02 Workshop group 1, group 2 distributes selected piece to class
Week 12
11/05 Workshop group 2, group 3 distributes selected piece to class
11/07 Workshop group 3, group 4 distributes selected piece to class
11/09 Workshop group 5, group 6 distributes selected piece to class
Week 13
11/12 Workshop group 6, group 7 distributes selected piece to class
11/14 Workshop group 7, group 8 distributes selected piece to class
11/16 Workshop group 8, group 9 distributes selected piece to class
Week 14
11/19 Workshop group 9, sign up for a conference if needed
11/21 THANKSGIVING: NO CLASS MEETING
11/23 THANKSGIVING: NO CLASS MEETING
Week 15
11/26 Work on presentations/performance and optional conference
11/28 Work on presentations/performance and optional conference
11/30 Work on presentations/performance and optional conference
Week 16
12/03 MANDATORY PRESENTATION / PERFORMANCE
12/05 MANDATORY PRESENTATION / PERFORMANCE
12/07 MANDATORY PRESENTATION / PERFORMANCE, Final portfolio due in class (make sure to include exercise 5!)
Week 17 (Finals week)