Syllabus

Required Texts: (available in the college bookstore)
Negri, ed, Great American Short Stories. New York: Dover, 2002.
Bradstreet, et al., 101 Great American Poems. New York: Dover, 1998.
Sophocles, Antigone. New York: Dover, 1993.

Recommended Texts (in addition to an English handbook):
Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones
Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing

Course Description: "A course designed for those students who have mastered grammatical skills and who have a desire to express themselves creatively in fiction (short story or novel), drama (plays or screenplays), and/or poetry. The course is conducted as a workshop, with readings of the students' works followed by creative criticism. The objective of the course is to write for publication, so the course includes a realistic appraisal of the possibilities in the publishing market place."

Goals:
1. To develop daily writing habits.
2. To learn to give and receive creative criticism.
3. To gain an acquaintance with the imaginative writing field.

Objectives:
1. To complete at least two (2) short stories or two (2) chapters of a novel.
2. To complete at least three (3) lyric poems, one of them a sonnet.
3. To complete at least one (1) dramatic scene.
4. To begin a portfolio of writing.
5. To complete a self-assessment (in lieu of Final Examination).

B+/B/B- At least 8,000 words of very good writing and nearly perfect attendance.

          Minimum requirements for passing grade: 6,000 words.
          Grades will be adjusted by up to a whole grade for class participation or lack thereof.
          NOTE: Special "length" considerations will be made for poetry.

Attendance: Participation in this class is essential. It is important that each student be present to listen to stories and poems and to critique them honestly, fairly, and with a desire to help other students improve their writing. Creative writing takes the very personal into a public arena. The class functions as our "publication" place. Also, while there are no planned examinations in this course, there will be in-class writing assignments, particularly if there are a number of students having trouble keeping up a steady writing pace. Attendance and participation count toward your grade. Any student missing more than four classes will be in danger of being dropped from the class.

Writing Center: Tutoring and assistance in writing is available in the ARC. I may suggest that you seek assistance in some particular area of writing. You pay for this assistance with your tuition and fees, so make use of it.

Library resources. The library at Massasoit is staffed by competent professionals. They can provide access to Internet, assistance in doing research, and help in finding materials.

Portfolio. You will be expected to type your work before handing it in for credit. Please do not give me the only copy. Make copies. Put them in a binder and begin a portfolio of your writing. During the final exam period, you will be instructed to bring this portfolio with you. I will check it against my own records and hand it back to you at that time.

Computer usage: I strongly recommend that every student make frequent use of the computer facilities of the college during the semester. I encourage email and the submission of papers as attachments to email provided that they are prepared using Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect. Whenever possible, we will be looking at each other’s work using the computer and a projection monitor.