Writing Program

Creative Writing is a course designed to acquaint the student with various modes of creative expression in poetry and short fiction and those devices and techniques necessary to the development of creative writing skills. The course will provide closely supervised applied study of such elements of poetry as imagery, metaphorical language, rhyme, meter, and symbolism, and such elements of fiction as plot, characterization, description, dialogue, and theme. Prerequisite: ENGL 1113.

Students enrolling this course should expect to learn how to do the following:

• Understand the concepts of literature, particularly the elements of poetry, fiction, and drama
• Understand and analyze contemporary and classic writers’ craft and style in each genre
• Generate original manuscripts in literary genres which include poetry, fiction, and drama
• Purposefully collaborate with the professor and peers
• Revise manuscripts based upon the critical evaluations received in writing workshops

Students' grades in the course will generally be determined by the following:

• 40% In 20-25 pages, the student will compose three original works in multiple genres, for example, a series of poems, short fiction, and short drama to be collected as a portfolio that includes revisions of each work. The student will be introduced to markets for creative writing and will be encouraged to submit some work for publication.
• 15% The student will choose one original work from his or her course work such as a series of poems or short fiction or short drama to be substantially revised . The finished manuscript will be submitted on the RSC electronic platform in a forum in which it may be viewed by a larger audience than just the course professor (for example, the course discussion board).
• 5% The student will write a 3-5 page paper in MLA format discussing a contemporary writer. The paper will contain some biographical information, but the main focus will be an analysis of one major work and the writer’s significance to his or her genre. Two to three outside sources are required.
• 5% During the class's scheduled final exam period, the student will present the final portfolio. The student will read excerpts from the works contained in the portfolio.
• 25 % The remaining credit for the course grade will include other work relevant to the
• course expected outcomes as the individual professor determines to be most effective.

In this class, students will participate in various kinds of poetry writing activities, be introduced to internationally known contemporary poets, and critique one another’s work via the workshop process. Students will also learn manuscript format, become familiar with publishing markets, be introduced to prosody, prepare a writing portfolio, and participate in a public student poetry reading.

Students enrolling in this course should expect to learn how to do the following:

• Understand the concepts of poetry, such as imagery, connotation, denotation, symbolism, alliteration, figurative language, metrical pattern, persona, and other important devices
• Understand and analyze contemporary and classic writers’ craft and style in poetry
• Generate original poems in manuscript format
• Purposefully collaborate with the professor and peers
• Revise poems based upon the critical evaluations received in writing workshops

Students' grades in the course will generally be determined by the following:

• 40% In 15-20 pages, the student will compose 10-15 original poems to be collected as a portfolio that includes revisions of each work. The student will be introduced to markets for poetry and will be encouraged to submit some work for publication.
• 15% The student will choose a short series of poems to be substantially revised. The finished manuscript will be submitted on the RSC electronic platform in a forum in which it may be viewed by a larger audience than just the course professor (for example, the course discussion board).
• 15% The student will write a 3-5 page paper in MLA format discussing a contemporary poet. The paper will contain some biographical information, but the main focus will be an analysis of one major work and the poet’s significance to his or her genre. Two to three outside sources are required.
• 5% During the class's scheduled final exam period, the student will present the final portfolio. The student will read excerpts from the works contained in the portfolio.
• 25% The remaining credit for the course grade will include other work relevant to the
• course expected outcomes as the individual professor determines to be most effective.