Introduction to Creative Writing

Course Number:
WR 102
Transcript Title:
Introduction to Creative Writing
Created:
Apr 24, 2024
Updated:
Apr 24, 2024
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
44
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0

Course Description

Introduces the craft and practice of creative writing. Engages with both contemporary and classic authors within the primary genres of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. May also include exploration of other genres such as drama, screenwriting, digital storytelling, film, and performance genres. Develops use of craft elements discussed in class to compose original work in at least two genres. Covers revision practices for voice and purpose. Audit Available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  1. Identify the basic craft elements of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction writing. 
  2. Read critically to analyze poetry, fiction, essays, and other written works. 
  3. Write original poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction works. 
  4. Participate in workshop method of critiquing creative writing. 
  5. Revise works within the creative writing process.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios. 

Department suggestions: Original poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction works, peer workshop, written analysis of creative texts.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Identify the basic crat elements of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction writing.

  • Exposure to fiction terms and techniques, such as:
    • plot
    • character
    • point of view
    • setting
    • dialogue
    • theme
    • symbolism/allegory
  • Exposure to nonfiction terms and techniques, such as:
    • theme
    • structure
    • research
    • memoir
    • tension
    • voice
    • imagery
    • figurative language
  • Exposure to poetry terms and techniques, such as:
    • rhyme scheme
    • meter
    • verse
    • stanza
    • line
    • speaker vs poet
    • basic poetic forms (i.e. sonnet, haiky, villanelle, sestia, acrostic, ballad, ode, free verse, limerick, etc.)

Outcome #2: Read critically to analyze poetry, fiction, and essays.

  • Basic analysis techniques such as:
    • identiry genre
    • identify main idea/point/purpose
    • describe structure
    • impacts of author choices
    • annotating a text
    • making claims
    • summary vs analysis
  • Read creative writing works by peers and prepare written analysis, response, and/or encouragement:
    • in class workshop
    • instruction in constructive feedback (both written and verbal)
    • crafting question as feedback

Outcome #3: Write original poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction work.

  • Introduction to basic writing process:
    • Brainstorming
    • Drafting
    • Revising
    • Editing
  • Generative writing exercises such as:
    • writing journal 
    • listing
    • acrostic prompts
    • hermit crab/mimic forms
    • written description of images
    • timed freewriting
    • clustering
  • Multiple submissions of original creative writing in class, from examples:
    • at least one fiction draft
    • 2-5 poem drafts
    • at least one creative nonfiction draft

Outcome #4: Participate in workshop method of critiquing creative writing.

  • Structured workshop process in class, may include:
    • set community standards for in class workshop
    • written drafts submitted in advance
    • instruction on constructive and polite feeback
    • guided workshop process
    • both verbal and written feedback among peers

Outcome #5: Revise works within the creative writing process.

  • Introduce revision techniques, such as:
    • reverse outlines
    • cut & amp; rearrange
    • scan and highlight
    • revision checklists
    • diction/word choice
    • consistent point of view
    • shifts in verb tense
    • sentence/line variety
    • annotating
    • paragraph breakdown
  • Integration of course experience to aid revision:
    • integrate insights from workshop process in revision work
    • integrate insights from readings in revision work
    • write self-assessment of revision process

Suggested Texts and Materials