English 320: Creative Writing

Dr. Mary Baumhover	Office hours:
Office: 127 Bowden Hall	Monday: 11:00-1:00
Office phone: 538-6627	Tuesday: 8:30-9:30
Fax: (575) 538-6535	Wednesday: 3:00-4:00
Email: baumhoverm@wnmu.edu	Thursday: 11:00-12:00
	Friday: 9:30-10:30
	and by appointment.

Prerequisites: English 101 and English 102

Required text: Williford, Lex, and Michael Martone, eds. The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1999.

Course Objectives: Creative writing is for anyone who has a story to tell, an idea to explore, a wonder to express, and/or a child to entertain. There will be no specific assignments; writers will choose the forms for their ideas, which might be short stories, poetry, children’s books, novellas, autobiographies, family histories, one-act plays, or an essay on cellular mitosis. My job will to give feedback and guidance, and to set standards to help writers produce the most effective writing possible within the time limits of the course.

Expected Outcomes: On August 28, turn in the names and page numbers of two short stories from the text that you would like the class to read this semester. On September 11, bring photocopies (enough for every class member) of three poems you think the class will find interesting. I will put literature texts on reserve at the library for you to use in selecting the poetry.

By December 4, turn in a folder containing a minimum of 25 (6,250 words) of revised prose and/or poetry. If you submit poetry, one poem equals one page. Included in the folder will be an essay evaluating your work, and stating the grade you believe you have earned; however, I reserve the right to determine the final grade. To help you assess your progress, you may submit writing to me at any time for comments and/or a conference.

Most classes will include workshops, where we will discuss student writing. Your work will be critiqued in class at least twice during the semester. You may read the writing aloud, or bring enough photocopies for everyone in the class. It is your responsibility to be prepared; do not bring hastily-written drafts. If you cannot attend on your scheduled day, notify me as far in advance as possible.

Since this is a discussion class, it is important that you attend. Four unexcused absences will flunk you.

Creative Writing

Standards for Grading

The following standards must be flexible to allow for experimentation. For example, Catch 22 has deliberately scrambled organization; e. e. Cummings’ poetry plays with syntax and capitalization; Margaret Atwood has a story (“Happy Endings”) which offers the reader six endings. However, the writing itself must justify the broken rules.

A = excellent writing. Readers will remember this writing with respect. It is innovative, exciting, disturbing, informative, entertaining, thought-provoking, etc. (depending on your purpose). The voice and expression are distinctive, and contribute to the themes and/or characterization. In short stories and drama, the characters and plot are well developed. In poetry, the language is carefully chosen to evoke emotion and/or reveal the theme. If the poems are closed form, they follow the rules; if the poems are open form, the structures contribute to the impact of the language or the theme. There is minimal distraction from errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

B = above average. The writing has an impact on readers. While it doesn’t have the intensity or power of “A” writing, it is interesting and effective. The language is well chosen. Distracting errors are at a minimum. The writing may be of “A” quality in general, but has too many errors or too few pages.

C = average. The writing is competent. There are no major flaws, such as chaotic organization, unnecessary material, confusing wording, or a lack of development of characters or plot. The language communicates the ideas and emotions, but is not distinctive or memorable. Errors do not prevent the reader from concentrating. The writing may be of “A” or “B” quality in general, but has too many errors or too few pages.

D = below average. The writing lacks original ideas, significant details, and/or organization. There is little evidence the writer wanted to say anything. The writing may be of”A,” “B” or “C” quality in general, but has too many errors or too few pages.

F = failure. Little or no communication happens. There are too many errors, too many absences, and/or too few pages. Plagiarism will result in failure of the course.