ISHU 3330: Write Where You Are

Instructor: Sarah Crossland Term: Summer 2014

Level: Undergraduate Credit Type: 3 Units, Student Option

Instruction Mode: In-Person

Location/Time: Zehmer Hall Conference Center, Monday 6:00-9:45 pm

Email:

Office Hours: By appointment

Class Description

In this course, students will investigate the idea of inspiration as they literally “write where they are.” Through careful observation and attention to their own thinking processes, students will gather the tools necessary to find and convey meaning in their daily experiences. This course hopes to demolish the age-old idea of the writer as a servant to a fickle muse. We will write every class period—about ourselves, as well as the world around us—and we will hone our craft by studying the “brushstrokes” of great writing: image, characterization, dialogue, metaphor, plot, and more. Students will be able to write in whichever genre(s) they prefer (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and/or script), drafting and revising as they work towards compiling a final writing portfolio. Please note that this is not a workshop class.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

 Develop flexible processes for generating and revising written material

 Demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements of creative writing, with the ability to apply them to their own writing

Engage in academic inquiry using and evaluating a variety of literary texts

 Reflect on and make judgments about their own writing and writing processes

Briefly, in this course you will be developing strategies in planning writing, developing the drafting process, developing strategies for revising, and developing reading skills and strategies.

Delivery Mode Expectations and Technical Components

This class will meet in person every week. The course syllabus, the course overview, and any additional readings beyond the two assigned texts will be made available on Collab well in advance. If you experience a technical difficulty or cannot access a file, please let me know immediately. All readings are required, even if you experience a technical difficulty.

Required Texts

You’ll need to purchase the following course materials:

  • For the Mountain Laurel, by John Casteen. Any edition, ISBN-10: 0820337994
  • In Zanesville, by Jo Ann Beard. Any edition, ISBN-10: 0316084476
  • A composition notebook (no substitutions), college-ruled, any color or brand

Daily Class Format(Instruction and Activities)
Each class, unless otherwise noted, will follow the following basic format:

  • Review and Introduction (10 min.)
  • Topic Lecture (30 min.)
  • Writing Prompts I and Two Conferences (60 min.)
  • Break (15 min.)
  • Discussion of Reading (45 min.)
  • Writing Prompts II and Two Conferences (60 min.)
  • Wrap-up (5 min.)

Required Class Activities

In this course, you will write often, ultimately working towards filling an entire composition notebook with writing, and polishing a portion of that writing for a final portfolio. The goal is for you to write constantly, in a variety of genres, in response to different assignments with different kinds of challenges, and for multiple readers. You will complete the following activities every class:

• Topic Lectures:Each class, I will deliver an informal lecture concentrating on an element of creative writing (as outlined in the class schedule at the end of the syllabus). I will expect you to take notes during these lectures (you may do so in your composition book), and our goal will be to apply the information learned to our discussion of our texts and our own writing.

• In-Class Writing Prompts: Every class period, we will write for a total of two hours, broken up into two one-hour segments. The purpose of the writing prompts is to not only build a great deal of guaranteed writing time into your schedule, but to also challenge you to seek new inspirations and approach writing in ways that you may have never considered before. All writing prompt responses should go into your composition book. Please note: Because of the independent nature of some of the writing prompts, I will expect you to conduct yourselves as adults and serious students, dedicated to completing each assignment, even if I am speaking with another student during a conference.

• Conferences:Every class period, during the independent writing prompt time periods, I will hold one-on-one conferences with four students. Depending on the class size, you may be able to meet with me multiple times. These conferences will help me get to know you and your work and will also be a place for us to focus, in detail, on your writing and revision strategies. You are welcome to send me any writing that you are working on (no more than 10 pages double-spaced) 3-4 days before your conference if you would like feedback on it. I would also be happy to do a cold reading of shorter works (5 pages or less). Conferences can also focus on your writing strategies and experiences, as well as any questions you would like to discuss about creative writing. You will be able to sign up for conferences during the first class period, and you will be responsible for coming to conferences with questions and/or material to discuss.

• Discussion of Readings:Each class, we will discuss the readings as outlined in the class schedule at the end of the syllabus. All reading is required, and I expect you to bring a copy of each reading to the appropriate class.The first class, you will each sign up to lead a discussion on a particular day. We will try to focus our discussion on the topic of the day, but you are welcome and encouraged to make references to your own writing and writing experiences at any time, not just to the text(s).

Assignments and Assessments
In this course, your work will be graded based on the following assignments and assessments:

• Composition Book:Throughout the course, you will keep a composition book of all your writing. (Please no substitutions for other kinds of notebooks or folders.) In your composition book, you will collect in-class responses to writing prompts, any thoughts or notes on reading homework, lecture notes, and any notes and questions from class discussion. At the end of the course, you will be asked to turn in a completely filled composition book—every single page, front and back. You will most likely need to make entries in your composition book at home, writing independently and following your own ideas and inspirations, beyond what we do in class. You may not use the composition book for any other class, and everything inside of it must be related to creative writing. You are welcome to write by hand (make sure your ink doesn’t bleed through), or you may type on a computer for any and/or all of the above writing assignments, and then paste your writing into your journal. I will not consider loose or sloppily adhered writing. All writing must be pasted, securely taped, or securely stapled on all edges. You will turn in your composition book twice during the term, once at mid-term, and once at final.

• Final Portfolio: At the end of the semester, you will submit a final portfolio for review, which must include: a 3-page introduction to your writing, 10-12 pages of polished writing, and a Page of Plans. Details on the final portfolio, as well as a description of each of its components, will be handed out at mid-term.

• Reading Quizzes: I will periodically begin our discussion of a text with a brief (1-3 questions) reading quiz. These quizzes are not meant to be exhaustively detailed or maddening—they are simply meant to gauge who has not only done the reading, but also who has thought about it in a deep and meaningful way. Quizzes may take the form of a reading materials check. If you miss a reading quiz, you can make it up at the end of the next class.

• Discussion Leadership: During the first class, you will each sign up to lead a discussion on one of our readings. Depending on the class size, you may either have a partner or may be responsible for leading more than one discussion. As the discussion leader, you should pay special attention to that week’s reading, bring in some background research to share with the class if applicable, and develop 4-5 discussion questions to help direct the class. During the discussion, you will act as the moderator. I will only interject periodically to bring in clarity and help us refocus, if necessary. Remember that questions can be not only about reactions to the text and reading like a writer, but can also be about how the reading applies to your own work.

• Participation and Conferences: Attending class and turning in your work on time are expected but not enough. You must come to each class meeting prepared to be an active participant. Speaking up during class is easier for some than others. I can help out if you don’t know how to enter the conversation—talk to me after class or send me an email. As a general rule, you should try to speak up once every other class to get an A in participation. Remember that all reading is required, and you must bring a copy of the reading to each class.Please see the above description of conferences for guidelines and expectations.

Evaluation Standards for Assessments

Your course grade will reflect my assessment of your work over the course of the semester as well as the level of your conscientiousness in meeting course responsibilities and requirements. I will assess your writing and assignments based on intellectual curiosity, personal challenge, and your adherence to initial assignment guidelines. Course responsibilities and requirements include attendance and participation.

Grading

All of the above factors will be reflected in your final course grade, weighted as follows:

Composition Book..……………30%

Final Portfolio………………….30%

Reading Quizzes………………..10%

Discussion Leadership………….10%

Participation and Conferences….20%

SCPS Grading Policies:Courses carrying a School of Continuing and Professional Studies subject area use the following grading system: A+, A, A-; B+, B, B-; C+, C, C-; D+, D, D-; F. S (satisfactory) and U (unsatisfactory) are used for some course offerings. For noncredit courses, the grade notation is N (no credit). Students who audit courses receive the designation AU (audit). The symbol W is used when a student officially drops a course before its completion or if the student withdraws from an academic program of the University. Please visit SCPS Grades for more information.