Types of Creative Writing (Poetry & Creative Nonfiction)

Poetry & Creative Nonfiction

Instructor: Caroline Sinavaiana, Ph.D.

KUY 719 / Tel. 956.3076/7619

Fax 956.3083

Office hours: TBA

sinavaia@hawaii.edu

The Course

The first eight weeks of the course focuses on Creative Nonfiction, and the second eight weeks on Poetry. The course is designed as an introduction to each genre. We’ll do lots of writing both inside and outside of class, in addition to reading and discussing the work of accomplished writers from a wide range of traditions and sensibilities. Class time will be devoted primarily to discussing assigned readings, work-shopping student writing, and writing exercises, My goal for the class is that by the end of term, you will have begun (or continue) to develop a writer’s voice distinctly your own.

 

Required texts (available from Revolution Books across from Puck’s Alley)

  • The Teachers and Writers Handbook of Poetic Forms, Ed. Ron Padgett
  • The Truth of the Matter: Art and Craft in Creative Nonfiction, Dinty W. Moore
  • The Elements of Style (latest edition), Strunk & White

 

Also required: Journal

 

Assignments & Grades

  • Online Reading Responses 30%
  • Attendance, Participation & Discussion 20%
  • Portfolio 50%

 

Course Requirements

  • Online responses: For each assigned reading, a written response will be due on our website (Laulima) by 10 am on class days.
  • Attendance, Participation & Discussion (This is crucial to getting the most out of this class!)
  • Portfolio: This will consist of three parts:
  1. A Collection of revised and polished Poetry (6-8 pages), and Creative Nonfiction (12-14pages), for a total of 20 pages or so, written during the semester.;

  2. ALL original Drafts (with my comments);
  3. Free-writing exercises completed in class.

 

To pass the course, all work must be completed.