ADVANCED PROSE WRITING-ENGL 4301-01 (CRN 85293)
SHORT STORY WRITING
Fall
2006— MW
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:
MWF
MW
(and by appointment)
Writing
Fiction Step by Step, ed. Josip Novakovich
Short
Fiction by 33 Writers, ed. Mark Winegardner
Hydroplane,
Susan Steinberg
Additional Required
Materials:
Floppy disks
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:
Advanced instruction in writing prose. Students may work on novels in progress, short fiction, and creative nonfiction.
Prerequisite: ENGL 3800 (Intro to
CRW) with a minimum US grade of C
Course Objectives:
This course focuses on short story writing. Students will study the elements of fiction (i.e. characterization, conflict, point of view, tone, and image) and sharpen their writing skills through a series of exercises designed to build upon each other. The idea is to connect the exercises, play with the assignments, and watch stories come alive. As reading is most essential to writing, students will read from an array of texts which will not only provide material for discussion and analysis of the elements of fiction but also models of short story writing.
The midterm portfolio will be a body of work including journal responses to the assigned reading and exercises.
The final portfolio will be a body of work including journal responses to the assigned reading, the first draft of a short story (which will be brought to the workshop), a thoroughly revised short story (which we will have workshopped during the second half of the semester), a process memo, and constructive comments on each student’s work brought to the workshop.
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 short story we have read over the course of the semester and perform it creatively in a medium of your choice.
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 Series 2006-2007.
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 build upon each other and, eventually, to prompt you into writing a longer piece.
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 short story we have read in class and perform the text creatively using a medium of their choice.
Process Memo:
Write a few paragraphs in which you reflect on your writing process, the effect of the workshop on your writing, and assess your progress in writing (i.e. what you have learned in this course and how it has affected your composition).
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 Robert Olen Butler’s reading on
Tuesday, September 5 (
* You will notice
that I have canceled two class meetings this semester in order to make up for
your attendance to our
University Policies:
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.
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:
Attendance is expected for all class
periods. Attendance is mandatory for workshops and presentations. Attendance
to Robert Olen Butler’s reading (
** You will notice
that I have canceled two class meetings this semester in order to make up for
your attendance to our
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 Robert Olen Butler’s reading and at least two other events from
the
Midterm Portfolio (30%):
10 typed reading journal responses
10%
Note: response 10 will be the
response to Robert Olen Butler’s reading
5 finished and typed exercises
10%
Participation
10%
Final
Portfolio (70%):
10 typed reading journal responses
10%
Note:
responses 9 and 10 will be responses to two of the readings from the
Clayton
First draft of short story brought to the workshop
(just needs to be in the portfolio!)
Process Memo
(just needs to be in the portfolio!)
Finished, typed and thoroughly revised short story
25%
Presentation / Performance
10%
Participation
10%
Peers response evaluation sheet
5%
Grade given by peers on your comments
10%
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
9/05
ROBERT OLEN
9/13 Schedule a mandatory conference
9/25 KEN FOSTER READS (CREATIVE NONFICTION)
10/04 Midterm Portfolio due in class
10/13 Last day to drop without academic accountability
10/17 TONY MORRIS READS (POETRY)
11/09 R. M. BERRY READS (FICTION AND EDITOR OF FC2)
11/15 Schedule a conference (if needed)
11/28 PAUL SHEPHERD READS (FICTION)
12/06 Final Portfolio due in class
Course Schedule:
NOTE: I will refer to the texts as
indicated below.
WF for Writing Fiction Step by Step
X33 for Short Fiction by 33 Writers
Steinberg for Hydroplane
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
8/21 Introduction to the course and to peers
8/23 WF “Introduction” and “Ideas for Fiction” 1-22
Week
2
8/28 WF “Character” 23-28, exercise 1 due in class “profile” (see # 3 in WF 30-33),
X33 Richard Ford “Communist” 526-36 response 1, X33 Louise Erdrich “Satan: Highjacker of a Planet” 502-08, response 2
8/30 X33 Olen-Butler “Jealous Husband Returns in Form of a Parrot” 325-29 (no response needed on this story since we read it last term), “A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain” 317-24,
response 3, “This Is Earl Sandt” 330-38, response 4, check Olen Butler’s writing process at http://www.fsu.edu/~butler/ , WF “Plot” 43-55, exercise 2 started in class “develop a
conflict-driven plot” (see # 4 in WF 58),
Week 3
1993 Pulitzer Prize for fiction Robert Olen Butler (A Good Scent from
a Strange Mountain)
reads on Tuesday, September 5th at 7:30pm in UC265 (remember
to write a response to the reading—response 10)
9/04 FACULTY MEETING DAY: NO CLASS MEETING
9/06 Bring 3 copies of exercises 1 and 2 finished and typed for small group workshop
Week 4
9/11 WF “Point of View”
72-78, exercise 3 due in class “writing from different POV’s” (see
# 13 in WF 88-89), X33 James Baldwin “Going to Meet the Man” 83-94, response
5
9/13 WF “Dialogue” 163-67, exercise 4 due in class “the end of the affair. . . .” (see # 15 in WF 178, X33 Grace Paley “An Interest in Life” 937-46, response 6, X33 Laurie Moore “You’re Ugly
Too” 701-14, response 7, sign up for a conference
Week 5
9/18 Bring 3 copies of exercises 3 and 4 finished and typed for small group workshop
9/20 WF “Image and Metaphor” 217-21, exercise
5 “express pain” and
“pleasure images” (see # 6 and # 7 in WF 225-26), X33 Lorie Moore “How to
Become a Writer” 696-700, response 8, make sure to bring a copy of exercise 5
for workshop with a peer
Week 6
Fiction and Creative Nonfiction writer Ken Foster reads on Monday,
September 25th at
9/25 WF “Scene” 146-50, WF “Style” 238-42, WF “Putting It All Together” 248-78,response 9 (on all three sections of the reading)
9/27 MANDATORY CONFERENCE: NO CLASS MEETING
Week 7
10/02 MANDATORY CONFERENCE: NO CLASS MEETING
10/04 midterm portfolio due in class, Steinberg “Lifelike” 11-21, response 1, Steinberg “Souvenir” 23-30, response 2
Week 8
10/09 Steinberg “The Last Guest” 41-62, response 3
10/11 NO CLASS MEETING FOR ATTENDING A
Week 9
Poet Tony Morris reads on Tuesday, October 17th at
10/16 Steinberg “To Sit, Unmoving” 71-98, response 4
10/18 Steinberg “The Garage” 107-29, response 5, Steinberg “Court” 131-47, response 6
Week 10
10/23 NO CLASS MEETING FOR ATTENDING A
10/25 Steinberg “How It Starts” 163-86, response 7, Steinberg “Hydroplane” 187-204, response 8, group 1 distribute short stories to class
Note: responses 9 and 10 will be responses to two of the readings from the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Series you are required to attend this semester (at the exception of Robert Olen Butler’s reading).
Week 11
10/30 workshop group 1, group 2 distribute short stories to class
11/01 Workshop group 2, group 3 distribute short stories to class
Week 12
Fiction writer and publisher of Fiction Collective Two (FC2) R. M. Berry
reads on Thursday, November 9th at
11/06 Workshop group 3, group 4 distribute short stories to class
11/08 Workshop group 4, group 5 distribute short stories to class
Week 13
11/13 Workshop group 5, group 6 distribute short stories to class
11/15 Workshop group 6, group 7 distribute short stories to
class, schedule a conference if needed
Week 14
11/20 Workshop group 7
11/22 THANKSGIVING BREAK: NO CLASS MEETING
Week 15
Fiction writer Paul Shepherd reads on Tuesday, November 28th
at
11/27 Work on presentations/performance and optional conference
11/29 Work on presentations/performance and optional conference
Week 16
12/04 MANDATORY PRESENTATION / PERFORMANCE
12/06 MANDATORY PRESENTATION / PERFORMANCE, Final portfolio due in class
Week 17 (Final Exams Week)