George Mason University Spring Semester 2013
ENGH 396 Introduction to Creative Writing
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00-10:15 am East Building Room #121
Instructor: Ann Cavazos Chen, JD
achen10@masonlive.gmu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays12:00-1:00 pm Robinson A 412
And by appointment
Required Text: Delbanco, Nicholas and Cheuse, Alan. Literature Craft & Voice, Second Ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2012.
Course Description
Welcome to the writing life! The best way to become a proficient writer is to
practice three essential skills. You must read voraciously, write frequently, and revise
constantly. It has been said the first five hundred pages you write will be complete
trash. Perhaps that’s true or maybe it only feels that way.
This class is about making a dent on those first five hundred pages. It’s about taking
the time to read and analyze classic short stories to understand the craft of writing. It is
also about developing a fearless attitude about your own work. You will write, receive
feedback, and then reflect about the pieces you submit. At the end of the class you will
revise one of your pieces and read an excerpt from the revision to your classmates.
Learning Goals
Students in Creative Writing class will:
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Compose drafts of fiction and poetry for review
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Submit manuscripts in the standard accepted format for creative writing
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Review and mark manuscripts for in-class critique
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Participate in the workshop process as a writer and reviewer
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Read and analyze a selection of classic short stories and poetry
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Revise an initial draft of fiction or poetry based on in-class discussion
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Conference with the instructor to shape your revision process
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Understand and use literary terms
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Read and discuss elements of writing craft and apply them to their writing
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Read an excerpt of their work out loud to the class
I am pleased you chose to take this class. I hope it will deepen your appreciation for
the craft of writing and enhance your knowledge and skills to advance your own work.
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Writing is a lifelong vocation of learning and working with words to tell stories that
reflect the essential values of humanity. I wish you all the best of luck.
Warmest regards,
AC Chen
Methods of Instruction
This course will be highly interactive as we learn from the works of master
storytellers as well as from each other. Most class sessions will use in-class writing
exercises to warm up our creativity and practice a particular aspect of writing craft.
There will be brief assigned readings concentrating on specific elements of creative
writing. In addition we will periodically analyze a classic short story. Finally we will
workshop class submissions and provide helpful feedback by critiquing what worked and
what did not.
Students who consistently participate, are prepared for class, complete their
work in a timely fashion, and contribute to a supportive atmosphere for beginning
writers will succeed in this class.
Course Requirements
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Students will be required to submit three manuscripts consisting of either poetry
or prose.
Each manuscript will be electronically submitted to the instructor
achen10@masonlive.gmu.edu with your name included on the file name.
Each manuscript will consist of original creative work representing either prose
or poetry
Prose submissions will be not less than four pages double-spaced and not more
than fifteen pages double-spaced (excerpts from longer works are acceptable)
Poetry submissions will be submitted in groups of three
In addition, each student will revise one submission and read an excerpt to the
class
Assignment
Submission #1
Due February 7th
Course Requirements
Weight
How It Will Be Graded
20%
A: On time, in the proper format,
acceptable page limits, very few
grammatical and punctuation
mistakes
B: Late less than two days, minor
format errors, several grammatical
errors but does not effect the
reading, meets the page length
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requirements
C: Late submission, improper format,
does not meet the page length
requirements frequent mistakes in
grammar and punctuation
Submission #2
Due March 21st
20%
See Above
Submission #3
Due April 18th
20%
See Above
Revision
Due May 2nd
Participation
20%
Graded on an A-F scale
20%
Graded on an A-F scale
Includes being prepared for
classroom discussion, and being
actively engaged in classroom
activities including in-class writing
exercises.
It also means being a productive
member of the workshop process by
making helpful suggestions and
comments to your colleagues about
their manuscripts.
Proper Format Requirements
o Electronically submitted on time to achen10@masonlive.gmu.edu
o The file will include the student’s name
o The manuscript will:
o Be double-spaced
o Will have page numbers
o Will have a title (each poem will have its own title)
o Will be in 12-pitch font
o Will be between five and fifteen pages long if prose
o Will consist of three poems if it is a poetry submission
o The title will be centered 1/3 of the way down the first page
o There will be a double-space between the title and the prose
Note on Grading:
This is a creative class. I will not attempt to sort out whether your stories or
poems achieve creative merit. I expect you to take risks with your writing and try things
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that scare you or make you uncomfortable. Your grade will be based on your ability to
submit work in a proper format, actively participate, and revise. Your revision will
receive a grade predominantly based on the progress you make incorporating
comments and feedback into the draft. Class participation is key to success in this class.
Completion Requirement
Students must complete all four written assignments to pass this course.
Course Grading Policy
In grading essays, I use the following general criteria:
A “C” level grade (70-79%) denotes average college-level writing and achievement. The
essay is a competent response to the assignment: it meets, to some degree, all the
assignment requirements, and demonstrates that the author has put significant time
and effort into communicating his/her ideas to his/her targeted audience. Essays that
do not meet these criteria will not earn a “C.”
A “B” level grade (80-89%) highlights a strong example of college writing and thinking. In
addition to meeting the “C” level requirements, such an essay goes further in some
way(s): it demonstrates some insight, is tightly woven, reads smoothly at both the
sentence and paragraph levels, and/or exhibits a personal “voice” or style. It has few
sentence-level errors.
An “A” level grade (90-100%) marks an essay that engages the reader in a provocative
conversation. Even more than in a “B” essay, its author creates a fluid reading
experience, provides unexpected insights, and/or uses language with care and facility.
“D” and “F” level essays do not meet the basic expectations of the assignment
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Important Dates
First Day of Class: Tues Jan 22
Last Day to Add Classes: Tues Jan 29
Last Day to Drop With No Tuition Penalty: Tues Jan 29
Final Drop Deadline: Feb 22
Selective Withdrawal: Mon Feb 25- Fri Mar 29
Spring Break: Mon Mar 11 – Sun Mar 17
Last Day of Classes: Mon May 6
George Mason Policy on Plagiarism
Plagiarism means using the exact words, opinions, or factual information from another
source without giving that source credit. In a creative writing class that means the work
must be the product of your imagination and effort.
Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please
see me and contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 703.993.2474. All academic
accommodations must be arranged through the ODS.
GMU Nondiscrimination Policy
George Mason University is committed to providing equal opportunity and an
educational and work environment free from any discrimination on the basis of race,
color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or age.
GMU shall adhere to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity/affirmative
action statutes and regulations.
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