CREATIVE WRITING 151.D1, 152.D2, 153.D3
Distance Learning: Spring 2011
Your teacher: Margot Boyer
Mailbox for this class: Go to the “communicate” tab and email me through the course web site.
(Best choice to use)
Other email: mboyer@sccd.ctc.edu
Office: IB 2310C
Office Hours: By appointment, Monday and Wednesday afternoons.
Distance Learning Office
E-mail: distance@sccd.ctc.edu
Web site: http://ww.virtualcollege.org/
Welcome
Welcome to our online writing community! In this creative writing class, we’ll explore strategies
for writing and revising both poetry and prose. We’ll write a lot, create a community of writers
online, share our work, and offer each other support and ideas. I see writing as a practice and an
art that can be work, play, discovery, invention, healing, and prophecy. We write to discover
what we know, to reach others, and to make sense of ourselves and the world.
A lot of this class involves reading and critiquing each other’s work. This kind of communication
can be challenging for both the reader and the person who is sharing their work. Developing our
skills in using dialogue (here, an electronic or virtual dialogue) will be part of our work together.
During the first weeks of class, we’ll develop guidelines for our communication and comments
on each other’s work.
My intention is for this class to be a supportive setting where each of us can learn, share our
work and something of ourselves, and help one another to write with honesty, integrity, beauty,
and power.
DISTANCE LEARNING
You might have taken a Distance Learning course using the Angel courseware before. If so,
welcome. You might be able to answer questions from the rest of us about working in this
environment.
If you have not taken a distance learning or online class before, or if you have done so using
different courseware (not Angel), then take the time in the next day or so to click on the “START
HERE: PREPARE FOR USING ANGEL IN YOUR CLASS,” found on your Angel start page.
It’s on the left side of the screen, under the specific class listings.
This combination written / video tutorial will help you get oriented and figure out how to do
essential tasks in Angel, such as handing in your work. Please do this now – don’t wait until
the work is due, but deal with any questions or confusion ahead of time.
Learning to use new software can be frustrating. With patience and good humor, we’ll figure it
out and soon be comfortable navigating this new environment. I might be able to answer some
questions, but your best resource will be the Distance Learning office (distance@sccd.ctc.edu/
http://ww.virtualcollege.org/)
REQUIRED TEXTS
These are available in our college bookstore and may be found at local bookstores as well. Local
bookstores provide a critical resource for writers as places to browse, learn, visit, and share our
work. Please consider supporting a local bookstore before ordering books online. It’s always a
good idea to call ahead and see if the book is available.
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The Poet’s Companion: Addonizio & Laux, Norton, 0393316548
From Totems to Hip-Hop: A Multicultural Anthology, Ishmael Reed (Editor), 1560254580
What If: Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers, Bernays and Painter (0205616887)
RECOMMENDED
 The Elements of Style: Strunk & White, ISBN 9562919897 (or a used copy)
OTHER MATERIAL
 A reliable computer with a current Firefox or Internet Explorer browser, a fast internet
connection, and the ability to save documents in .doc or .rtf formats. For more about the
course’s technical requirements, see http://ww.virtualcollege.org/. Note that not all web
browsers will support Angel – make sure you have one that does.
 A printer is highly recommended so you can print out instructions, your own work, and other
folks’ work as needed.
 A notebook or folder for printed assignments and class work.
 A notebook for writing when you’re out in the world.
 A back-up plan in case of computer failure.
Learning Objectives for this course, and how we’ll meet them.
 To practice the strategies and techniques of one or more literary forms.
- Work with poetry and prose.
 To have students read and respond to each other’s work in workshop and small group
formats.
- Share work in small groups, and comment on other people’s writing.
 To expose students to the various forms and good examples of creative writing.
- Read and respond to both poetry and prose.
 To help students experience, explore, and expand their own creative processes.
- Write in different styles and forms, revise work, explore.
 To have students produce a body of work by writing and revising on a regular basis.
- Write, respond to comments, revise, submit final versions.
 To help students become aware of ways to go about submitting their work for possible
publication in literary magazines.
- Explore literary magazines online and in libraries.
 To help students effectively read their work aloud.
- Visit open mic readings, perhaps read in public.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION:
Detailed assignments will be provided for each week.
Overview
During our first week we’ll emphasize play, discovery, and getting to know each other. We’ll work
with poetry in weeks 1-3, and prose in weeks 4-6. At that point you’ll be able to decide which genre
to focus on for the rest of the quarter (weeks 7-11). Initially, all the classes (ENGL&151, 152, and
153) will have common assignments. As we get to know each other, these might diverge to meet the
needs of different groups.
Weekly assignments are considered work-in-progress. At the end of the quarter you’ll submit a small
portfolio of revised/finished work in the genre of your choice.
A. Creative Writing. Each week there will be creative writing assignments. Some will be drafts or
exercises, while others will require revision of previous work. Creative writing is the heart of our
work together.
B. Responding to the writing of classmates and participation. Responding thoughtfully to the
writing of your classmates is central to the class. You’ll be asked to read and comment on the
work of classmates in organized online groups. You’ll also be asked to respond to specific
prompts and questions.The discussion and sharing of ideas can allow us to get to know each
other, feel supported, and to learn together.
C. Reading annotations. Respond in writing to assigned readings in genres related to our creative
writing assignments. Good writers read widely and thoughtfully, so we’ll aim to do that.
D. Exercises and experiments. Most weeks there will be an assigned exercise or experiment aimed
at observation, getting out in the world, and trying new activities. They are meant to be fun, and
to encourage you to take your writing practice away from the computer and out into the world.
Class Structure and Due Dates
A list of assignments will be provided each week. Generally, you can expect to see creative
assignments, reading, a reading response or annotation, an experiment, and comments and
discussion.
Assignments are due on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Most weeks there will be one or
more written assignments due on each of these days.
Assignments are DUE at 9 am on the assigned day. Assignments submitted after 9 am will be
considered late.
Major assignments (e.g., your creative work) will loose .5 grade for every day it is late. So, your
4.0 poem submitted 1 day late will receive a 3.5 grade, 2 days late a 3.0, etc.
Comments and minor assignments may not be possible to turn in late.
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No work will be accepted more than one week past its due date.
Technical Needs
You must have access to a reliable computer and essential software: a word processor, an
internet service provider, and a browser (Firefox or Internet Explorer will work; other browsers
might not).
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You must have a solid back-up plan in case of computer failure.
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Essential computer skills include following written directions, uploading and downloading files,
copying and attaching files to email messages, and knowing how your computer and browser
work.
Academic Expectations
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Turn in assignments by the due date. Late assignments will loose credit.
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If you are sick or have a crisis in your life that prevents you from participating, get in touch with
me as soon as possible. Email is the best way to reach me.
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If you have problems or questions, please ask for help. I can help with writing issues. If the
problem is a technical or computer one, the folks in the Distance Learning office are your best
resource. Contact them at: http://virtualcollege.org/resource/help_desk/help_index.htm.
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This is a 5-credit course. Expect to spend about 15 hours a week to read, write, dialogue, and
explore with others.
Creating an online community
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It’s critical for us to respect each other in our written dialogue – something that can easily get
lost in on-line exchanges. Please use thoughtfulness and courtesy when communicating with
other students or with your teacher. You might ask yourself “would I use these words to a person
who was sitting across the table from me?” We’ll discuss how to create an atmosphere of mutual
trust and respect.
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All writing, including online dialogue, should follow conventional usage guidelines for spelling,
mechanics, etc. Text message style is not appropriate. (In our poems, of course, we might play
with conventions – but we need to know what they are to do that.)
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Groups for sharing writing will be set up during Week 1. You’ll have a chance to work with
about 3 different groups during the quarter.
Your teacher’s commitment to you:
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I’ll check messages regularly. Usually I’ll respond to questions within 24 hours. I usually have at
least one computer-free day per week, so over the weekend the response time can be longer.
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I can meet with you on-campus on Mondays or Wednesdays. Alternatively, we can arrange a
phone call or other way to communicate.
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I’ll comment on your creative and other work respectfully and in some detail.
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You can always ask questions about grades, assignments, pieces of writing, and so forth.
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My intention is to support your learning and growth as a writer and as a human being. Let me
know what will be most helpful.
EVALUATION: Your grade will be based on the following elements.
A. Creative Writing
50%
B. Participation/Responding to the writing of others
20%
C. Reading annotations/responses
20%
D. Exercises / experiments / activities
10%
Total 100%
GRADING
Creative assignments will be graded according to whether they fulfill the assignment (length,
format, handed in on time). If you fulfill the assignment, you’ll get an A, regardless of whether
the writing seems “good.” Assume that there is always more work to do on a piece of writing…
even if you got an A.
Participation and responses will be graded according to the length and thoughtfulness of your
responses and participation. Credit will be given for thoughtful and full responses to prompts, to
other folks’ writing etc. Very brief responses (one liners) will not fulfill this requirement.
Reading annotations will be graded for response to the assignment, thoughtfulness about the text,
meeting standard English writing expectations (e.g. complete sentences, mechanical correctness),
and length. Detailed guidelines will be provided for these.
Exercises and experiments will be graded for thoughtfulness about the subject or event, meeting
standard English writing expectations (e.g. complete sentences, mechanical correctness), and
length. Detailed guidelines will be provided.
NUTS & BOLTS
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FORMATTING
Assignments for credit must be submitted as .doc, .docx, or .rtf documents.
Put your name, assignment name, and date at the top left at the beginning of the piece.
All creative work should have a title.
Margins on all work: 1 inch all around.
Font size is 12.
Font style: use a standard serif font (Times or Times Roman). Please do not use a san-serif font
like Aerial or Verdana.
Formatting Poetry: Single-space within stanzas, and double-space between stanzas.
If the poem is more than one page, indicate at the bottom of the first page whether there is a
stanza break there.
Formatting Prose: Double space. Indicate paragraphs by indenting one tab space from the left
margin (1/2 inch) OR by double spacing between paragraphs.
Academic Honesty
This is a creative writing class and I expect that everything you submit will be written entirely by
you. Anything quoted from another source (such as a story you are annotating, someone else’s
comments on a poet, etc) must be clearly cited MLA style, showing the author’s name and the title
of the work quoted. A first instance of plagiarism will result in no credit for that assignment. A
second instance of plagiarism will result in failing the class.
To take the words or ideas of someone else and present them as your own is plagiarism and is
unacceptable in any college class. Examples of plagiarism:
 Incorporating into your own writing, without proper acknowledgement, words, sentences, or
paragraphs from another written source,
 Paraphrasing so closely or so extensively from a source that the sentences and ideas really
belong to the original writer,
 Submitting as your own whole essays written by someone else,
 Receiving so much help from another person that the work is not honestly your own.
The Student Code of Conduct states that “academic dishonesty, to include cheating, plagiarism,
or knowingly furnishing false information to the college,” may bring disciplinary action. A
teacher who believes plagiarism has taken place may require that a piece of writing be revised to
eliminate the plagiarism, or deny credit for a piece of writing that is not original. In addition, a
formal report may be filed with the college. Students who repeatedly commit plagiarism are
subject to penalties that may include expulsion.
COLLEGE RESOURCES
Distance Learning Office: 206-527-3738
http://www.virtualcollege.org/start/index.html
For technical questions and any problems with using the software and interfacing between your
computer and the course web site. The folks at Distance Learning are knowledgeable and patient.
They can help.
Disability Student Services: 206-527-3697
(http://www.northseattle.edu/services/edaccess.htm)
For help identifying disabilities and arranging accommodations from the college. If you have a
disability, or believe you might, contact Disability Services. Services are strictly confidential.
Veteran’s Office: CC2261 (http://www.northseattle.edu/services/veteran.htm)
The Office of Veteran's Affairs serves veterans, reservists, active duty personnel and eligible
family members who receive Veteran's Administration education benefits. It also verifies the
State of Washington tuition reduction for eligible veterans.
The Loft Language Lab and Writing Center: (http://www.northseattle.edu/services/loft/)
The campus language lab/writing center, provides free tutoring and computer learning programs.
Computer Labs & Storage: (http://www.northseattle.edu/services/complab.htm)
Network storage on the college computers is available to all NSCC students. For more
information on using and accessing this storage, ask the staff in the computer labs.
Security Services: (http://www.northseattle.edu/services/security.htm)
The Security Office (206-527-3636) is open from early morning until late at night. Security can
help with parking problems, car emergencies, and safety and security concerns.
APPENDIX: GRADES AND ALL THAT
Withdrawal, No Credit, or Incomplete Grades
Stuff happens. If something comes up and you can’t complete the class, it’s your job to formally
withdraw from the class. Don’t just disappear; make sure you withdraw if you can’t finish a class
for any reason.
 If you want an NC (no credit) grade, you must request it. Ask an academic advisor for
guidance if you anticipate a failing grade – an NC can sometimes provide an alternative.
 An I (incomplete) grade will be given only in extraordinary circumstances.
SCCD Grading System
The Seattle Community College District uses a numerical grading system. Numerical grades may
be considered equivalent to letter grades and percentage grades as follows:
Student Performance Percentage of
Points Earned
Excellent
Above 94%
90-93%
High
87-89%
84-86%
80-83%
Average
77-79%
74-76%
70-73%
Minimum
67-69%
64-66%
62-63%
Letter Grade Equivalent
Equivalent
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
D-
Numerical Grade
3.9 – 4.0
3.5 - 3.8
3.2 - 3.4
2.9 - 3.1
2.5 - 2.8
2.2 – 2.4
1.9 – 2.1
1.5 – 1.8
1.2 – 1.4
0.9 – 1.1
0.8 – 0.7