BART 97A96 - Creative writing

Academic expectations

To introduce students to the basics of creative writing in English ; particularly fiction, poetry and non-fiction. One week will serve as an introduction, and three weeks will be spent on each topic, with a final two weeks on a final piece of at least 2,000 words.

Detailed outline

Session 1 : Introduction to Creative Writing

Students will go over the course outline and discuss their own interest in reading and stories. A time to gauge interest and better tailor the course to the students, as well as giving them time to know each other and work together. Session will end with a short piece of writing by the students on a topic.

Readings

None in class, however students will be tasked to read according to the topic and discuss the works in class.

Assignments

To read 3 or more short stories of their choice (students are free to choose, but recommendations will be made.

Session 2 : Short story writing, beginnings

Students will discuss the opening lines to a story, using their own examples, and those provided for the class. Students will practise writing opening narration for different genres of stories, then revisit the work they did in the first session and rewrite the opening.

Readings : The opening lines from the short stories the students read.

Assignments : Reading 3 short stories of their choice, or re-reading them, with a focus on dialogue.

Session 3 : Short story writing, dialogue

Students will discuss the dialogue in the short stories they wrote, and in examples provided for the class. Students will work with character archetypes and practise writing dialogue for these characters. Students will revisit the work they did in the first session, and introduce or expand on the dialogue they did for it.

Readings : The chosen pieces of dialogue from their short stories.

Assignments : Reading 3 short stories of their choice, or re reading them, with a focus on the ending.

Session 4 : Short story writing, endings

Students will discuss the endings of the stories they have studied, and those provided for the class. Students will practise writing ending narration for different genres of stories, then revisit the work they did in the first session and rewrite the ending.

Readings : The endings from the short stories the students read.

Assignments : Read three freeform poems of their choice.

Session 5 : Poetry, freeform

Students will read one of their chosen poems to the class, and discuss why they chose that one. The students will then practise writing flash freeform poetry, with the emphasis on quantity, after each poem. After all poems have been read, the students will choose one poem they wrote to share.

Readings : Freeform poems chosen by the students

Assignments : Reading 3 haiku poems of their choice.

Session 6 : Poetry, haiku

The haiku form will be explained, students will share their poems in groups, and discuss why they liked them. Topics will be given to each group, who will produce haikus on those topics. One haiku from each topic will be chosen, and shared with the class.

Readings : Haiku poems chosen by the students

Assignments : Reading 3 rhyming poems of their choice.

Session 7 : Poetry, rhyme

Students will explore different rhyming poems, students will read out their poems, and make notes of the rhyming words. Students will use these pairs of words to form their own poems. Students will get into groups and brainstorm other word combinations that rhyme. Students will then use them to write their own rhyming poems.

Readings : Rhyming poems chosen by the students

Assignments: Reading 3 form poems, chosen by students.

Session 8: Poetry, form poems

Students will explore form poems, reading out their own form poems to the class. Students will then choose a topic and form, and use that to craft their own form poem- choosing what kind of poem they want, freeform or rhyme. Students will share their poems with the class.

Readings: Form poems chosen by the students.

Assignments : Reading 3 news articles, either current or past.

Session 9 : Non-fiction, news

Students will share their own news stories in groups and examine the grammar forms used in news writing (passive voice, etc). They will also discuss why they found news stories interesting or dull. Students will choose one of the headlines and write their own article based on it. Students will then write news articles based on (fictional) events.

Reading : Articles chosen by students.

Assignments : Read 3 reviews of things the students like.

Session 10 : Non-fiction, reviews

Students will share their reviews in pairs, and discuss why they enjoyed reading them. The use of grammar and literary devices (ie, metaphor) will be explored. Students will write their own reviews of things they liked. Reviews will be taken in, and given back out randomly. Students will read them and discuss if the reviews made them want to experience the thing that was reviewed.

Readings : Reviews chosen by students

Assignment : Read 3 pieces of travel writing

Session 11 : Non-fiction, travel writing

Students will work in pairs and discuss a journey or holiday they went on that they remember particularly well. They will discuss what travel writing is used for (advertising, journaling) and why the person who wrote their piece of travel writing decided to do so. They will choose a holiday or part of a holiday, and write a short piece about it.

Readings : Travel writing chosen by students

Assignment : Choose one piece of writing from the course, or several pieces not more than 2,00 words.

Session 12 : Conclusion, workshop.

Students will work in groups and share their chosen piece of writing from this course. The students will offer critique on the writing. The class will then have 30 minutes to work on their pieces, before coming together into another group for a second round of critique. If there is enough time, the students will then have more time to improve their writing.

Readings : The students’ chosen writings.

Assignment : Students will submit their chosen piece for grading.

Students will be graded on participation and contribution to the workshop- in particular completion of the reading assignment, and a final piece. The grades will be 10% for participation, 30% for engagement and 60% on the final piece.

Late work policy

Students must have completed and brought in the readings on time for the course, so no extension can be possible. The final work can be submitted more flexibly, should students have issues.

Late arrival policy

As the class is only 2 hours long, students have to come in within 10 minutes of the start of class.

As stated in the plan, part of the course will have students finding their own material for the lessons. However here are some recommendations :

Week 1-4 : Short Stories

Defying Doomsday (2016), compiled by Tsana Dolichva and Holly Kench

A Taste of Honey (2016), or Sorcerer of the Wildeeps (2015), by Kai Ashante Wilson

The Orphans Tales : In the Night Garden (2006), by Catherynn M Valente

(Podcast) The Magnus Archives : Episode 1 Anglerfish (2016), by Rusty Quill

Week 5-7 : Poetry

(Youtube) Button Poetry channel, in particular What Kind of Asian Are You ? by Alex Dang

Lu You (1183), assorted poems, in particular his cat poems.

Sujata Bhatt, in particular The Writer

John Agard, in particular Half Caste

Week 8-11 : Non-fiction

Jay Rayner Guardian Restaurant reviews, (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/)

The Electric Typewriter, best articles : https://tetw.org/

Vietnam Coracle, motorbike guide (https://www.vietnamcoracle.com)