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 writing exercises, work shopping
student writing, and discussing assigned readings. 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 in 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
Elements of Style,
Strunk & White (latest edition)
Additional
readings provided by instructor as handouts or pdf’s on Laulima.
Also required: Journal
Assignments & Grades
- Online
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 7 am on class days.
- Attendance, Participation & Discussion (This is crucial to getting the most out
of this class!)
- Portfolio (Final Project): This will consist of three parts:
- A Collection of revised and
polished Poetry (5 – 7 pages), and Creative Nonfiction (7- 10 pages),
a total of 12-17 pages or so, written during the semester.; - ALL original Drafts (with my comments);
- Free-writing exercises completed in class.
To pass the course, all
work must be completed.