ENGL 4100ADVANCED CREATIVE WRITING: FICTION
Fall 2014
Section 1 Dr. Barbara Rodman
Thur.6:30 p.m. – 9:20 p.m.
Classroom: AudBldg 201 Office: AB 213C
Phone:940-565-2050 Office hours:T/Th 12:30-2:003:30 - 5:00 pm; and by appointment
Course Description:This course is designed to advance skills in writing short fiction. Discussions and assignments include identifying the elements of a short story, critiquing stories in a workshop setting, and revising and polishing completed story. Active participation in writing, discussion, and group activities is required. Final grades will be based upon individual progress in writing, willingness and ability to critique others, and class attendance/participation. Prereq: ENGL 3140 or equivalent course
Required Texts:
30/30: Thirty American Stories from the Last Thirty Years, ed. Porter Shreve & B. Minh Nguyen
Flash Fiction Forward: 80 Very Short Stories, ed. Robert Shapard & James Thomas
A Writer's Reference, Diana Hacker, or other reliable handbook
Schedule: Reading assignments must be completed PRIOR TO CLASS. You need to buy books IMMEDIATELY. Writing assignments must be brought to class on the days/in the amounts indicated. Our usual schedule will use the first half of class to focus on assigned reading (including quizzes, discussion, etc.) and the second half to work in small groups with student written assignments.
Important notes about writing assignments:
- Though print copies of your written work will be in used in class for group work, assignments must be turned in through Blackboard to receive credit for them. I do not accept paper or email copies of work. See section on grading at the end of this syllabus for more information.
- You should be writing at least five times a week for fifteen minutes to an hour each time, and then selecting which pieces you want to rewrite/revise/proofread and bring to class for work in small groups. You may do as much writing on other scenes, characters, and plots (exercises started in class or suggested as homework can also be uploaded) as you like. You decide which works you turn in at Blackboard, and I hope to see many of the nonrequired pieces there.
- As a general rule, writing you turn in at Blackboard or bring to class for group work should be 3-5 pages double-spaced. See “Format for Written Assignments” at the end of this syllabus.
Aug. 28:Introductions, Getting Acquainted
WritingSample : Write a 3-5 page “moment” (instructions at Blackboard). Every student must upload this assignment to Blackboard by 5:00 pm Friday Aug. 29.
Sept. 4: Reading: 30/30
Note:Reading Assignements must be completed prior to class. We’ll begin with quiz/discussion.
“The School,” Donald Barthelme, 41
“Snow,” Ann Beattie, 54
“The House on Mango Street,” Sandra Cisneros, 90
“Story,” Lydia Davis, 92
“Girl,” Jamaica Kincaid, 183
“Boys,” Rick Moody, 235
Writing: Using one (or more) of the titles above (or another simple variation, such “The House on Azalea Street,” “Ice Storm,” “The Dorm,” “Mothers,” etc.) write a complete story in 3-5 double-spaced pages. Bring 4 copies to class.
Sept. 11:Selections from FFF:
“How to Set a House on Fire,” S. Budzko, 46
“1951,” R. Bausch, 53
“Why You Shouldn’t Have Gone in the First Place,” S. Schoech, 90
“Accident,” Dave Eggers, 101
“I Never Looked,” D. Hall, 105
“My Date with Neanderthal Woman,” D. Galef, 109
“How to End Up,” Jennifer A. Howard, 133
“To Reduce Your Likelihood of Murder,” Ander Monson, 141
“Guidebook,” C. Merrill, 187
“Test,” G.A. Ingersoll, 189
“Three Soldiers,” Bruce Holland Rogers, 210
“Diagnostic Drift,” Michael Martone, 218
Writing: Pick a model from this list for a 3-5 page story (i.e., a “how to…”, quiz/test, guidebook, headline from tabloid, etc.). Bring 4 copies to class.
Sept. 18:30/30:
“Gravity,” David Leavitt, 205
“Job History,” Annie Proulx, 283
“The Shawl,” Cynthia Ozick, 265
“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” Ursula K. Le Guin, 209
Writing: 3-5 page story that has a metaphor or symbol at its heart. Bring 4 copies to class.
Sept. 21 Sunday: Short Short Story Assignment Due at Blackboard by 5:00 p.m. 1-3 Short-Short stories (six page minimum; 9 page maximum for TOTAL pages).
Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9:Workshops
Sept. 25 (Thursday): Extra Credit Event--Visiting Writer JoAnn Beard. Q & A at 4:00 p.m.
points will be deducted from the final attendance score if you fail to complete this assignment.
Oct. 7 Extra Credit Event: Visiting Writer Dan Beachy-Quick Q & A 4:00 p. m. Public Reading 8:00 p. m.
Oct. 16:30/30
“The Kind of Light that Shines on Texas,” Reginald McKnight, 223
“The Fix,” Percival Everett, 131; “Tiny, Smiling Daddy,” Mary Gaitskill, 144
Bring to class: 4 copies of a scene in which tension develops primarily through dialogue (though remember that you can use thoughts, action, and appearance as foils/contrast to what is said aloud. Also, ask yourself what the characters might be hiding, lying about, or actively trying to keep secret.
Oct. 23: 30/30
“How to Talk to Your Mother (Notes),” Lorrie Moore, 240
“Tiny, Smiling Daddy,” Mary Gaitskill, 144
Bring to class: rough draft of story #2
Sunday Oct. 26: Short Story #2 Due at Blackboard by 5:00 p.m.
Nov. 5 (Wednesday): Visiting Writer Alexander Hemon. Q & A 4:00 p.m. and Reading 8:00 p.m. THIS IS A REQUIRED EVENT. If you are unable to attend either the reading or the Q & A, you must complete an alternative assignment. See Dr. Rodman for details
Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20: Workshops
Nov. 27: Thanksgiving (No Class)
Dec. 4Dec. 11:Student Readings
Final Project/Revision: due by 11:39p.mDec. 11
**Note: This syllabus may be changed at any time for various reasons. Changes will be announced at Blackboard Learn and in class.
Grades will be computed as follows:
Class Attendance*/participation/quizzes 15%
Includes required events, student reading, etc.
Blackboard Journal (10 completed = 100 pts.)20%
Short Story #120%
Short Story #220%
Final Project (Revision)25%
*Class Attendance: Points are earned for each day of attendance; perfect attendance will be rewarded with extra credit points. Assignments are due on the stated date even if you miss class.
**Student Readings: Each student will do a 10 minute reading of their own work in lieu of a written final at the end of the semester.
Remember--it is the teacher who assigns grades, not your classmates. If you are in doubt regarding my standards, please see me early in the semester.
Note: Work that meets the minimum requirements is graded as a “C.” Work must EXCEED minimum requirements to earn an “A” or a “B.” This includes attendance and participation. Above average work is characterized by its quality and is always turned in on time.
Visiting Writer (Extra Credit and Required) Reports: All reports must be uploaded at Blackboard within a week of the event. Reports should include detailed information regarding the material read (title? Subject matter?) as well as subjective analysis of the event (i.e., you like/disliked it, etc.). You may submit separate reports for the Q & A and Reading.
Class communications: Check Blackboard regularly for announcements, changes to syllabus, etc. Remember to check in with your unt.edu email account for messages also.
Journal: By the end of the semester, each student should have uploaded at least ten writing assignments at Blackboard. Suggested writing exercises and assignments are regularly offered in class or on the syllabus, but you may include other writing as well, including daily writing such as journaling and work on novels or other projects of your own. Each assignment should be 3-5 double-spaced (typed) pages. Each is worth 10 points; as a general rule, grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, word choice, and overall writing quality will notbe considered.
Final Project: This is graded as a new story (usually a minimum of 8-12 pagesof mostly new writing; may be two short shorts, a collection of scenes, etc.).Each story must have an appropriate and intriguing title, a compelling beginning and some kind of conclusion. I’m particularly interested incharacter development, including appropriate and interesting dialogue,andcontrol of point of view.In addition, the use of appropriate details to establish credible scenes is vital (setting: time & place). I’ll also look at your attention to style (diction, syntax, use of figurative language) and will take into account the maturity and interest of the subject matter (theme), and evidence of rewriting and revision.The final criteria is overall evidence of creativity and effort.
The final project should demonstrate that you have heard and assimilated the suggestions/critiques of earlier works and that you are capable of correcting problems identified. Though it should be grammatically correct, simply correcting errors will NOT result in a new grade. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with me prior to deciding what to do for this project.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES
1. Attendance is MANDATORY. More than two (2)absences may result in the lowering of your grade. Four (4)or more may result in an F. Being absent is NOT an acceptable reason for missing a due date. If you are absent for religious or university-related purposes, you must comply with university policies regarding notification and making up of work.
2. Class attendance and participation are a significant part of your grade in this course. Assigned writing is due AT THE BEGINNING of the class period and in appropriate form and number.
3. Plagiarism is the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of published or unpublished writing of another person without giving full and clear acknowledgment. It includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by a person or agency engaged in the selling of academic materials as well as the paid or unpaid assistance of a "friend" who wants to "help" you out. Plagiarism is defined on p. 27 of the Student Handbook as misconduct that might result in discipline. The minimum punishment will be an F for the course; the maximum might include expulsion from the university.
4. I do not grade "on a curve" or compare one student's work with another's. Work that meets the minimum requirements of the course will receive a C. An A or B represents levels of achievement well above the minimum. Your work must be exceptional, not merely adequate, to earn an A.
5. Please note that this is a WRITING course offered for upper-division English credit. I expect students to know fundamental rules of grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and the other "mechanics" of writing. We do not spend class time on such topics and I will lower grades SUBSTANTIALLY for excessive errors. If you are concerned about your abilities in this area, please see me early in the semester to discuss ways you can work on your problems. If you cannot write correctly, you will have difficulty receiving above a C or a D on your assignments no matter how creative they are. I also reserve the right to withhold manuscripts from class discussion (i.e., workshop presentation) if they do not meet minimum requirements.
6. Class begins promptly at the time stated on your schedule and continues until the end of the period. I expect all students to be present for the entire timeallotted and will lower your class attendance grade for excessive tardiness or early departures.
7. Essential competencies for this course include the abilities to read and interpret literature, to respond extemporaneously orally and/or in writing to specific questions about the reading, to read aloud in class, to write extended and grammatically correct prose pieces as assigned, and to participate in class discussions about stories and other assignments.
8. In accordance with the provisions of the American Disabilities Act, students with disabilities requiring accommodation must present requests to me in writing. Your request should describe the nature of the disability so I can determine appropriate actions to assist you. In accordance with the terms and spirit of the ADA and Section 504, Rehabilitation Act, I will cooperate fully with qualified students to meet your needs. If you have not already registered with ODA, I urge you to so as soon as possible.
FORMAT FOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
- All work must be TYPED and PROOFREAD. Run spellcheck and a grammar program if you have one.
- Allow a 1" margin (standard in most word processing programs) on all sides and use a standard typeface or font (do NOT print in ALL CAPS, italics, or other unusual styles unless your story’s format requires email or other such formatting).
- **Double space and please (PLEASE, PLEASE!!) NUMBER YOUR PAGES. The default in Word is set to multiple spacing (change it to double) and does not automatically number pages. Use the insert tab to add page numbering.Use indented (not block) paragraphs and do NOT add extra spaces between paragraphs.
- Do NOT attach a separate title page. Put the title at the top of page one, capitalizing as appropriate. Do not underline, italicize, or put quotes around your titles.
- Please make sure you’re uploading the correct version of your story at Blackboard on the due date. Submit stories in word.doc or word.docx format unless you’ve made other arrangements with me ahead of time.
- Work submitted should be serious (which doesn't mean it can't be funny), ambitious, and as polished as you can make it.
- I encourage you to experiment with form and structure, but experimentation is never an excuse for sloppy spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Grades will be lowered SUBSTANTIALLY for sloppy mechanics or careless proofreading. If you have a spell-checker, use it--but remember that it won't catch some errors, including inappropriate apostrophes (its vs. it’s) or the misuse of words that sound alike (i.e., there, they’re, and their). If you don't already own one, buy a good handbook. You can also use OWL and other online handbooks.
- PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD.
9. Grades for short stories will be based on the following criteria:
-length (as required, but usually a minimum of 8-12 pages unless you’re doing a “short short” story; no more than 20 without my permission).
-interesting beginning and appropriate conclusion
-character development
-appropriate and interesting dialogue
-use of appropriate details to establish credible scenes
-attention to style (diction, syntax, use of figurative language)
-appropriate and interesting title
-mature and interesting subject matter (theme)
-evidence of rewriting and revision
-overall: evidence of creativity and effort (what I called ambition above)
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