Mymission.lamission.edu



ENGLISH 127 CREATIVE WRITING Sec. 0237

Website: lamission.edu/english/grant

Dr. Parthenia Grant Email: doctorparthenia@ Phone: Cell: 323 218 5344 818 833 3419 (O)

Office Hours: Tu 1-2pm; Wed 10:30-11:30am; Th 4-7pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION: English 127 is designed as an introduction to professional writing and is presented as a forum for feedback on works in progress and class assignments. All student work is presented for informal discussion and peer critiques by class and instructor. This course offers an opportunity to discover and develop talent. Emphasis is placed on mastering poetry as a foundation for other genres since poetry focuses on finding the precise word to complete a single line that paints a picture, evokes emotions, summons symbols, or calls forth abstract ideas.

All students will learn how to and will be required to include in their portfolios the following traditional forms of poetry: iambic pentameter, Haiku, a Villanel, and a Sestina. Everyone will be required to write at least one short story.

FINAL PROJECT: Students may choose to write a collection of poetry (15) poems; a collection of short stories (4); or (1) chapter/scene from a novel, script, play or narrative non-fiction in progress. Those who choose any genre other than poetry, will be required to turn in a character description, synopsis, and pitch on their novel or script. Short stories will require a character sketch of the main character and a pitch line about the story. The synopsis of novels or screenplays are due by the 4th week of class and a rough draft of the first chapter/scene from a screenplay or play will be due by midterm to provide sufficient time for rewriting and to get feedback from the class and instructor. See my website under Handouts for sample synopsis, pitch and character descriptions. In summary:

• All students will be required to write poetry and one short story.

• Students must choose a specific genre for their final project such as poetry, fiction, narrative non-fiction, etc.

• Students will present a cumulative portfolio of their work at the end of class.

TEXTBOOK: The Creative Writer’s Handbook, 5th Edition, Jason Lefcowitz.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

OUTCOME: Students will read contemporary and classical poets and authors and classify and analyze their works, distinguish various poetic forms, compose original poetry, fiction and non-fiction that employs literary tropes and varied techniques.

CRITERIA: Original poetry, fiction and non-fiction that employs literary tropes and varied techniques.

ASSESSMENT: Students will read various poetic forms, fiction and/or non-fiction and identify the poetry/author and analyze the poetic elements and writing techniques they exhibit. Students will produce original poetry, narrative non-fiction and/or short fiction that employs literary tropes and varied techniques.

RUBRIC: A (Excellent) The writing is compelling, original and thoughtful; indicates the knowledge of and dexterity with a variety of poetic and writing techniques. B (good): This writing is strong in all of the evaluation criteria, but is weaker than the A writing sample in the quality of the development, diction, and sentence variety. C (adequate): This writing sample is not as fully developed as an A or B sample. Ideas or style lack variety or dexterity. D (inadequate): This writing sample does not meet the criteria listed for the assignment. Usually no organizational pattern is evident, or the execution lacks thought. F (failing): this sample is unacceptable. It is off topic, plagiarized, or unintelligible.

WEEK 1: Introduction to the Class. Exchange of contact information among students. Introduction by individual students, sharing favorite genres and focus of final projects. In class reading of original writing. Discussion of criticism vs. feedback. Homework: Read Chapter 1: Working Like a Writer; Chapter 9: Narration and its Techniques. Chapter 10: Creative Non Fiction.

WEEK 2: Discussion of ways to work like a writer, writing creative non-fiction and narration. Homework: Read Chapters 5 and 7: The Elements of Poetry and Poetry Problems. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets and/or short fiction and/or non-fiction authors.

WEEK 3: Discussion of Elements of Poetry. Read Chapters 5 and 7: The Elements of Poetry and Poetry Problems. Download poems and handout on poetry from website. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets, short fiction and/or non-fiction authors. Homework: Write a traditional rhyme in Iambic Pentameter.

WEEK 4: Discussion of Poetry and Poetry Problems. Read Chapter 4: Language is Your Medium and Chapter 13: Dialogue and its Problems. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets and/or short fiction and/or non-fiction authors. SYNOPSIS DUE for novels or scripts. Homework: Write a traditional Haiku and bring to class to share.

WEEK 5: Discussion of language as your medium and dialogue. Read Chapter 3: Point of View. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets, short fiction and/or non-fiction authors.

WEEK 6: Discussion of Point of View. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets, short fiction and/or non-fiction authors. Homework: Write a traditional Villanel and bring to class to share.

WEEK 7: Read Chapter 8: The Elements of Fiction. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets, short fiction and/or non-fiction authors.

WEEK 8: MIDTERM: Short Story due with a completed character sketch and a pitch line about your story. Turn in story inside a folder with all assignments completed thus far. Discussion of journals, research and invention. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets, short fiction and/or non-fiction authors. .

WEEK 9: Discussion of Elements of Fiction. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets, short fiction and/or non-fiction authors. Read Chapter 2: Journal/Research/Invention.

WEEK 10: Read Chapter 14: Plays and Screenplays. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets, short fiction and/or non-fiction authors.

WEEK 11: Discussion of Plays and Screenplays. Read Chapter 15: From Drafting to Revision to Submission. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets, short fiction and/or non-fiction authors.

WEEK 12: Discussion of Revisions and submissions. Individual reading of original work with feedback from class and instructor. In class reading of various classical and contemporary poets, short fiction and/or non-fiction authors.

WEEK 13: Short stories. Visit from a successful Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter or Playwriter.

WEEK 14: Continuation: writing and sharing of short stories. Query Letters. Where and How to Sell What you write using the 2010 Writer’s Market.

Week 15: Sharing of works in progress. In class writing editing and revisions.

Week 16: Final: Short fiction/poetry. Portfolios Due with all assigned work.

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