Text
De Maria, Robert. The College Handbook of Creative Writing.
Short essays and excerpts by Vivian Gornick, Joan Didion, Bruce Chatwin, Kathryn Harrison, E. Annie Proulx, and others to be handed out in class.
 
Writing Assignments (75% of the final grade)
Each student will complete writing assignments to be agreed upon by class members during the first weeks of class. Mechanically correct writing is expected on all assignments; writing assignments that contain more than one sentence-level error per page will be returned without comments. Students may also be graded on the quality of their written feedback.
 
Participation and Attendance (25% of the final grade)
In a discussion course, class members' attendance and participation are very important. As discussants we concentrate on building a community where people help each other with their writing. The attendance policy in this course is consequently very strict. Make sure you understand it fully and that you're prepared to abide by it before you decide to stay in this course. Your absences will always make a difference; remember too that you can't learn from a discussion-oriented course unless you're there discussing! Students are allowed 1 week's absence without penalty; subsequent absences will cause their grades to drop, and three or more weeks of absence will result in an "F" for the course (no kidding!). Students with perfect attendance will receive bonuses. You need not tell me why you've been absent; I simply count absences rather than excuse them.

Students must complete five basic assignments (3 perception assignments, 1 genre assignment, 1 personal narrative assignment). These will total 50% of the final grade. For the remaining 25% of their final grade, students may then select one of two options:  

• substantively revise the five assignments and submit them, with a Writer's Memo describing what they have learned, as a portfolio (25% of the final grade) or

• complete a single longer assignment of 15-30 pages (25% of the final grade). This longer piece may be partially based on earlier assignments (no portfolio required).

Each student must complete and submit a grading contract (attached) stating their plans and choices. Grading contracts are due no later than the beginning of class during the third week.
 
Calendar
Class will meet once a week in the evening. In every class, there will be time for in-class writing exercises and small- and large-group workshopping.
 
Week 1      
Introductory. Discuss seminar members' writing interests and design assignments and preliminary schedule for completion. In-class writing: "My History as a Writer." Discuss parameters of first perception assignment, "Found Poem" (handout provided).

Part I: The Role of Perception in Writing
Week 2     
First "perception" assignment due: "Found Poem."
Workshopping topic: what I learned about language from constructing this poem. Discussion topics: the difference between looking and seeing; "writing to learn" and keeping a notebook; metaphor and metonymy; defamiliarization. Discuss assignment (handout provided).
 
Week 3        
Grading contracts are due. Reading assignment: De Maria, chapter 2, "Setting." Come to class ready to explain why paragraph 2 on page 34 is not very good advice. Topics: The cognitive basis of writing. Continue discussion of "showing," "telling," and metaphoric representation.

Week 4       
Second "perception" assignment due: "Observation."
Topics: continue discussion from last week. In-class exercises and workshopping. Discussion of next assignment: "Finish the Story" (use one of the two plots provided, or make up your own). Finished pieces should be 3-5 pages, typed, double-spaced, and should foreground your ability to "show" rather than tell. Include a Writer's Memo.

Over break, decide which genre you want to explore.
 
Part II: Working in Genres
Students who are working on long projects should use this time to create a draft that will provide a solid foundation for their finished piece. This draft will be handed in along with all others on 3/17.
 
Week 5       
Third "perception" assignment due: "Finish the Story."  Reading assignment: De Maria, chapter 5, "Point of View," and chapter 6, "Tone and Style." Consider how you will handle these issues in your genre piece. Class will focus on defining precisely the requirements of your chosen form.
 
Week 6       
At least 5 pages of prewriting (unorganized brainstorming materials preliminary to beginning work on the piece) due. Include a more organized outline of what you propose to do. Reading assignment: chapter 4, "Plot." Class will focus on how plot organizes your piece (this applies to nonfiction as well as fiction).
 
Week 7        
At least 5 pages of draft (typed, double-spaced) due. Class will focus on workshopping.
 
Week 8        
Completed draft (typed, double-spaced) due. Class will focus on workshopping.
 
Part III: Personal Narrative
Note that during the last five weeks of the course, writers who are working on long projects will continue with their projects, but will participate in class exercises with everyone else.
 
Week 9       
"Genre" assignment due. In class, we will focus on prewriting techniques designed to help generate ideas for the "Personal Narrative" assignment. We will also discuss writing blocks and motivation strategies.
 
Week 10       
Completed draft (typed, double-spaced) due (for students not working on long projects). Class will focus on workshopping.
 
Week 11        
"Personal Narrative" assignment due (for students not working on long projects). Class will focus on workshopping.
 
Weeks 12-14       
Workshopping, portfolio work, and wrap-up.
 
final exam date t.b.a. - all final work due.