I. ENGL 270 Introduction to Creative Writing

II. Fall 2001

Instructor: Dr. Daniel DeBord

Office: 137 Avery Hall

Office Hours: 11-12; 6:30-7 pm M

11-12; 6-6:30 pm W

9-10; 11-12 F

And by appointment

Office Phone: 869-6215 E-mail: ddebord@lmunet.edu

III. Prerequisites: ENGL 111-112 or ENGL 121-122

IV. Course Description:

ENGL 270 is an introductory course in the writing of poetry, fiction, and drama for students who possess a genuine interest in writing and a strong desire to develop their creative writing skills. Although students will study a good many published poems, stories and plays, the course will center on the analysis of the students’ original creative works.

V. Text: Handouts and material on reserve in the library

VI. Course Objectives:

To foster an appreciation of quality writing

To improve the student’s creative writing skills

To improve the student’s critical writing skills

To introduce the student to the mechanics and techniques of the three creative genres

VII. Course Content/ Units of Instruction:

Unit 1 POETRY — (About 6 weeks) Study the elements of poetry, analyze

published poems, and write five original poems to be discussed in a workshop

setting. A revision of each poem is due one week after the poem was discussed

in class.

Unit 2 FICTION — (About 6 weeks) Study the elements of fiction, analyze published short stories, and write an original short story to be discussed in a workshop setting. A revision of the short story is due two weeks after the story was discussed in class.

Unit 3 DRAMA — ( 1 to 2 weeks) Study the elements of drama and analyze

published one-act play(s).

Unit 4 FINAL PROJECTS — (2 to 3 weeks, including the scheduled exam period:

Wednesday, December 12, 6:30-9) Class discussions of the final projects:

poems, a short story, or a one-act play.

VIII. Required Readings:

Approximately twenty published poems, 4 to 6 published stories, two one-act plays, essays on reserve in the library, and the original creative works of students in the class.

IX. Course Requirements:

Morning Pages

(Preferably 3 pages/ day, 5 days/ week; 15 pages/ week total) 10 %

Critiques, minor assignments, class participation, attendance 15%

(Your attendance is crucial to the success of this course.)

Five original poems (and revisions of each) 25%

Short story (and revision) 25%

Final Project (and revision) 25%

X. Syllabus revised 8/2001