Students are required to take English 1301 before taking English 2307.

Students taking Introduction to Creative Writing are required to produce four complete, polished short pieces by semester’s end. These should demonstrate a beginning-level knowledge of the elements necessary for the particular genre as well as a basic understanding of the workshop and revision process. Although correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting are expected, proficiency in these components does not ensure that the piece fulfills the requirements of the genre.

Students also produce a writing portfolio at semester’s end, which demonstrates competency in the genres. The portfolio includes additional writing exercises as well as the final versions of the required revised prose and poetry pieces.

The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr

Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward

In addition to essays available on Blackboard.

In this introductory course, students learn the elements of effective prose. To sharpen writing skills and strengthen their understanding of craft, students engage in both writing practice and reading assignments. Students study the principles of writing memoir, with emphasis on elements of craft, voice, form, and the reading and discussion of published pieces.

An immersion into memoir is expected such that you will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the craft through discussion and in your own writing as the semester progresses. Improvement in the quality and maturity of your literary analysis as well as your own writing and development of your voice will prepare you for greater appreciation of prose and memoir, academic advancement, and confidence in the pursuit of your own creative process.

Course Objectives:

• To understand and practice the writing process involved in producing polished prose, including drafting, revising, and editing.

• To gain an accurate vocabulary of prose terms.

• To correctly identify the basic elements of memoir.

• To produce edited, polished works of memoir.

•Display an intellectual understanding and written practice of the elements of memoir as well as a mastery of the vocabulary associated with the craft.

•Become acclimated to the practice and process of a writing workshop and be able to offer thoughtful analysis on your classmates’ work.

Course Outcomes:

• Be familiar with the craft elements of creative writing, including plot, scene, characters, point-of-view, dialogue, imagery, and other elements of literary prose.

• Recognize and explain key features in prose.

• Demonstrate the ability to incorporate literary elements in students’ own prose and poetry. • Show an increase in skill, objectivity, and technical expertise in the revision process through a polished portfolio.