Beginnings of a Syllabus

This class is meant to be an introductory foray into the techniques and experiences of creative writing in both fiction and poetry. Class discussion will primarily be involved with workshopping the creative works of classmates and discussing published pieces from both genres to better understand various styles, techniques and voices.

Given the necessity for valuable discussion in both of these areas, it is imperative that all assignments are done in a timely manner in order for discussion to be productive. There will be four announced multiple choice quizzes during the semester that will test on terminology and comprehension.

Most of this class is dedicated to workshopping creative pieces, thus it is imperative that all come prepared with their own work and are ready to speak constructively about the work of others. Workshop rules and decorum will be further discussed, but the main idea is to be respectful at all times. Part of the grading scale is participation, thus it is important to show up to class on time, prepared and willing to share ideas with those who are eager to hear them

At the end of the semester, each student will choose one piece of fiction and one poem which they will choose to turn in as their portfolio. Each piece should include copies of all drafts to demonstrate the creative editing process.

Lastly, each student will attend a poetry or fiction reading of their choice to write a response on. Given the amount of time we spend reading words from a page in an academic setting, it can be refreshing to look at creative works in a new environment from different voices and perspectives.