ENG 285 Intro to Creative Writing
Summer 2010
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Prof Jared Yates Sexton
Office: Robert Bell Building 246
E-mail: jysexton@bsu.edu
Required Texts
Where I'm Calling From - Raymond Carver
Good Poems for Hard Times - ed. Garrison Keillor
Course Description
ENG 285 serves as an introduction to creative writing for those students interested in expressing themselves artistically. Over the course of this semester we will focus our readings, our discussions, and our writings toward conversing honestly in an aesthetic manner. While we will focus primarily on the mediums of short fiction and poetry we will, at times, touch on all forms of writing. This includes the fundamentals of short stories, novels, nonfiction, poems, and screenplays. We will read from established writers and works and dissect those works to better understand the process and meaning behind the art. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to write and present your very own works in both fiction and poetry to the class and have them reacted to in real-time. In this way you will also begin to learn how to be a critic and active participant in literature.
Course Goals
The skills presented in this class are presented with the idea that you will leave with a better understand of creativity, writing, and yourself as a person. You will appreciate the craft and its fruits.
Course Content and Format
The class will focus on two overall forms: fiction and poetry. In the opening segment we will learn the fundamentals of writing and nearly every day you will be asked to read a story or poem or piece of writing and then will be expected to react and discuss this piece inside the class. During these times the course will be a lecture-conversation type classroom.
Later, when we have turned in our own works, the class will shift into a workshop format. During this time we will discuss the submitted works as a class and will spend an allotted amount of time dissecting the pieces and trying to offer constructive criticism and praise.
Grading
Your final grade will be determined by your performance in the areas described below. I will assign plus/minus grades; the grading scale for this class is 93-100 = A; 90-92 = A-; 88-89 = B+; 83-87 = B; 80-82 = B-; 78-79 = C+; 73-77 = C; 70-72 = C-; 68-69 = D+; 63-67 = D; 60-62 = D-; 59 and below = F.
Assignments
Creative Works (75%)
You will write one (1) short story, one (1) collection of three or more poems, and one, one-act play/screenplay. You will have three turn-in dates assigned to you and will be your choice which assignment you turn in which date.
Your grades on these assignments will be determined by how well you effectively use the information provided in class. You will be graded on how polished the writing is (multiple, easily avoided typos and grammatical problems will be penalized), how original the thought is (you are expected to steer clear of cliché), and ultimately what sort of effort has been put into the work.
The stories and poems should have the following information in the upper left corner:
Your Name
Your Class Number
Sexton
Date
They should be typed, double spaced, and in Times New Roman 12pt font. You will be given an individual due date for each of these assignments as time goes along and, for the day you are given, you should bring in enough copies of your assignment for everyone in the class (including me). They should be stapled accordingly.
Small Assignments (10%)
From time to time I will ask you to write a page or two of thoughts in regards to a work we’re reading or discussing. The guidelines of these assignments will be discussed at length during the course and are to be typed, double spaced, and in Times New Roman 12pt font.
Participation and Attendance (5%)
This course requires that you be in class nearly every day. We will discuss important ideas, terms, and concepts in every class period. Therefore, you will be penalized accordingly for missing excessive classes. After two absences I will start deducting points. And, as per departmental rules, you will fail if you miss more than 20% of class meetings. (Note: if there is some sort of circumstance that is affecting your attendance, please let me know so we can discuss possible solutions).
Also, participation is crucial. I do like to rant and lecture from time to time but would much prefer if you and your voice were included in this course. I want you to react to the stories and poems we read, whether you like or dislike them. I want to hear what you have to say about art and art sensibilities. Please never feel nervous or worried that your opinion doesn’t matter or isn’t valid. It absolutely is.
Small Basics Test (10%)
Early on in the semester you will be given basic terms and concepts. You will be given a test in order to test your understanding of this information.
Classroom Etiquette
• As this is a creative writing class we will be discussing ideas and work that may or may not offend your sensibilities. This is always a risk in regards to art. Some people react differently to stories. Some are inspired and others disgusted. Please be aware that any work we come across that might offend you is not intended to. Instead, consider it as an opportunity to better understand what our concepts of offensiveness mean and why they’re there. I welcome any discussion in regards to what is and what isn’t acceptable in art and why that might be.
• In addition, know that some of your classmates might disagree or might author some particular work that bothers you. This is the nature of both art and society. Please, at all times, be respectful to one another and keep conversation as such. Workshop can be, at times, a tense time where feelings are hurt and tempers flared. Know this is the natural order of things. Be ready to discuss and respect one another at all times. We are all here to become better writers and artists.
• When the class period begins please make sure that all iPods, iPhones, walkmans, or whatever are turned off or put away. I will not tolerate these kinds of disturbances and if the problem persists you will be considered absent even if you are in attendance. Cell phones are to be turned to silent as well. Do not try and text back and forth with friends when in the classroom either. This is disrespectful and will not tolerated.
• When we enter the workshop portion of this course please be aware that due dates are non-negotiable. If you miss your opportunity to be workshopped you have missed it. Classes are routinely thrown out of balance and order when students turn in late work and everything falls apart. Be sharp and get everything in on time and we’ll all be happy, warm, and productive.
