ENGL 200:01, Intro. to Creative Writing Steve Tomasula
Call # TBA Phone: 232-0933
TH 9:30-10:45 e-mail: Tomasula.4@nd.edu
Office Hours: 11:00-12:00 TH
(or by appointment)
As in many introductory literature classes, Introduction to Creative
Writing introduces students to a variety of literary genres. Unlike
a literature class, though, students write much of the work studied. That
is, a lecture/lab format is used to explore literature as a writing practice;
our goal is to discover how wide and varied the creation of literature
can be and students will move toward this goal by creating a wide variety
of literary expressions: poetry, literary collage, the short story, hypertext....
Students help each other become better writers by developing analytical/critical
techniques and by applying them to each others' work as well as to the
work of established writers. By working in a variety of genres and receiving
feedback from the instructor and peers, it is hoped that students will:
develop an understanding of the difference between formula literature and
art; develop a beginner's proficiency in narrative and poetic technique;
exhibit a writer's understanding of how form and content work together
to create literary meaning; and discover avenues for further growth.
Students will be asked to write four minor works and one major one.
The minor works will include: a dramatic sketch/performance collage; a
short story; a group of poems; and a graphic and/or hyper story or poem.
The major work can be done within any of these genres. Students should
submit enough copies of their work so that every other student in the class
can have one for discussion. Additional work will include: a detailed critique
of each piece submitted for discussion, reading assignments, attendance
at readings given by visiting authors and a number of exercises announced
on a day-to-day basis. In lieu of a final exam, students will be asked
to re-write their final project.
Much of the value of this course is derived from class discussion. Therefore,
you are expected to attend class regularly. Documented illness and extreme
emergencies are the sole acceptable reasons for missing class. All assignments
will be collected on the dates they are due whether you were in class to
receive the assignment or not. This means that if you are absent, it is
your responsibility to find out what you missed. If you are absent more
than 2 classes, the grade on your final assignment (and if necessary, other
assignments) will be lowered 1 grade for each additional class missed.
Your final grade will be based mainly upon the quality of the work you submit. However, when calculating your final grade I will also take into consideration your critiques of other student work, class participation (about 10%), effort, and in-class assignments. Work turned in late for discussion will not be accepted. All other work turned in late will be lowered one grade for each day it is late. Incompletes are not given. Loosely defined, I interpret letter grades as follows: A = Exemplary; distinctly above very-good work: a maturity of ideas and craft. B = Very Good; better than what can be expected from the majority of students in a beginning writing class. C = Good; competent writing that shows signs of an awareness of what makes good work even though it might also exhibit some problems. D = Substandard; exhibits more problems than might be expected from a writer who is concentrating on the task at hand. F = Go Directly to Jail, Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200; in general it's hard to fall into this category unless through some combination involving lack of effort, participation and/or attendance.