ENGL& 236: Creative Writing I

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Class Program
English
Distribution
Humanities Lecture
Credits 5 Lecture Hours 55

In this course, students will develop the basic techniques that writers use to create imaginative and effective writing in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and/or plays/scripts. They will create a portfolio of their work from the course with polished pieces and works in progress. Students will enhance their own technique by reading and discussing published works of creative writing. They will learn to make use of constructive criticism, talk about their own work concisely, and edit their work. 

Prerequisites

None

Quarters Offered
Winter,
Spring
Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:

  1. Create new works that show an introductory competence within the techniques of effective use of basic prose and more structured modes of expression, focusing on the formal conventions of each genre.
  2. Demonstrate critical thinking skills through critiques of others’ work and by processing critiques of their own writing.
  3. Clearly identify and contrasting qualities of published and unpublished texts and judging their effect on readers.
  4. Use suggested criticism for editing. 
Institutional Outcomes

IO1 Communication: Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
 

Course Content Outline

Course Content Outline

  1. The course involves an exploration of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and/or other categories of creative writing, with specific focus on the unique features of each genre being taught.
  2. For each of these elements, students will:
    1. Read published works by established writers that demonstrates the technique.
    2. Discuss these examples in class, with an eye toward analyzing the craft of the piece.
    3. Complete and share regular in-class, writing exercises that allow for individual practice of these techniques.
    4. Write formal creative Short Writing Assignments that will be critiqued and edited.
    5. Repeat the above for each of the genres of creative writing being taught.
  3. Students will be required to create a portfolio of works created within the course. Each section of work should have polished pieces and works in progress.