English 2351: Intro to Creative Writing
Texas Tech University
Fall 2010
Instructor: Lauri Anderson
Office: 459
Email: lauri.anderson@ttu.edu
Office Hours: MWF 10-11 a.m., or by appointment
Required Materials
The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction, Eds. Williford and Martone
Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry, Ed. Billy Collins
One slim three-ring binder for portfolio
Additional handouts provided by the instructor
Course Objectives
1) to read literature analytically, carefully attending to plot, characterization, theme, metaphor, image
patterns and genre 2) to read literature sympathetically, considering the cultural, religious, political
and social backgrounds of the works 3) to build literary awareness, through a consideration of genre
and techniques 4) to write (both creatively and analytically) persuasively, clearly, and effectively 5) to
revise both creative and analytical writing, incorporating suggestions from the instructor for more
effective communication
Note to Students
This is not a blow-off class. You will work hard in the this class, possibly harder than you work in
your other classes. You will read. You will talk about the readings. And you will write. This is the
business of writers. If you are not prepared to commit yourself fully to these tasks, please save us all
a headache and drop this class.
Assignments/Grade Distribution
• Participation 20%
• Writing Exercises 40%
• Short Craft Essays 30%
• Final Portfolio 10%
Grading Scale
A+= 97-100
B+=87-89
C+=77-79
D+=67-69
A=94-96
B=84-86
C=74-76
D=63-66
A-=90-93
B-=80-83
C-=70-73
F=62 or below
Submission of Work
Unless granted special permission by the instructor, students must submit a hard copy of each
assignment in class within the first ten minutes on the day it is due. I cannot guarantee receipt of
assignments submitted in any other manner (email, under my door, in my box, etc.).
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In addition, all submitted work should follow standard MLA guidelines available at
owl.english.purdue.edu. More specifically: typed, double-spaced pages, 1-inch margins, Times or
Times New Roman 12-point font. In addition, all submitted work should be clear, specific, wellorganized, and use correct grammar and punctuation. Any assignment that fails to communicate
effectively in one or more of these areas will receive a grade of “No Credit” and must be revised and
re-submitted within one week of its return by the instructor to receive full credit.
Late Work
I do not accept late work. Either turn assignments in when I call for them in class, or do not turn
them in at all. If you miss class due to an excused absence (and have a note!), please see me during
office hours on the day of your return. There is no need to email me unless your absence is an
extended one.
Participation
This, my only absence policy, is an in-class absence policy: In this class, being “present” means that
you are here, you are paying attention, and you are prepared. In other words, students must come to class
having read the assigned material and be ready to discuss it at length. If it is clear any student has not
read the assigned material for that day, he or she will be asked to leave and will not be permitted to
complete that day’s assignment. Additionally, anyone texting, surfing the web, or engaging in any
other distracting behavior will be asked to leave. In fact, if you are caught fondling your cell phone
for any reason, you might as well leave.
Otherwise, I do not have a policy about missed classes. Miss as many as you need; however, please
remember that you are not allowed to make up missed assignments. If you miss a class, you
automatically miss an assignment, and your grade will suffer.
Student Conduct
• Be polite.
• Do not interrupt.
• Do not disagree for the sake of disagreeing.
• Everyone is entitled to his/her own interpretation of an artistic work; however, not all
interpretations are created equal.
• Give others a chance to participate.
• Keep an open mind. If you are incapable of keeping an open mind, at least keep your mouth
shut.
Reading Quizzes
The first ten minutes of each class will be devoted to a reading quiz over that day’s assigned
readings. These quizzes will be short and straight-forward, involving elements of plot, setting, and
characterization. The best way to do well on a reading quiz is to read with care. At the end of the
semester, I will drop your three lowest grades.
Writing Exercises
Students are required to complete daily and weekly writing assignments both in class and outside it. I
will collect these exercises within the first ten minutes of class. Each should be typed, doublespaced, and conform to MLA standards. Exercises will be graded on the following factors:
completeness, orderliness, attention/care given to detail, correct grammar/punctuation, and how
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closely the student considers the readings in relation to the assignment. Grades will adhere to the
following rubric:
check plus (A/B): formatted correctly; meets word length; clear, concise prose; few
grammatical/punctuation errors; progresses logically; appropriate scope; no summary
check (B/C): formatted correctly; meets word length; however may include some
grammatical/punctuation errors; may include some summary and/or leaps in logic; may lack
appropriate scope
check minus (C/D): fails to meet above criteria in one or more areas
no credit (F): fails to meet criteria in many/most of the above areas. Try again. Resubmit within one
week.
Assignment topics may include: character development, dialogue, flashback, POV, exposition vs.
scene, etc. At the end of the semester, I will drop your three lowest grades.
Short Craft Essays (SCE)
In preparation for the final, students are required to write three 1-2 page SCEs during the semester.
Each SCE must attend to a different text (story or poem) of the student’s choosing and must be
submitted on the scheduled discussion day for that text. Students must write at least one prose SCE
and one poetry SCE. These essays must contain a thesis sentence and specific examples from close
readings of the text (including page numbers). An introduction and conclusion are not required.
Prose SCEs
When writing prose SCEs, students should think small. That is, consider a single element of craft
(dialogue, diction, variation of sentences, POV, use of metaphor, etc.) and present that element, as
well as an explanation of a) how the writer uses it and b) what a beginning writer could learn from
its use. In other words, what does this writer teach you about writing? Remember, these are short
essays; there isn’t room here to address the work as a whole.
Poetry SCEs
Considering the brief nature of poetry, students should consider the entire poem when writing a
poetry SCE. Think about the overall tone/feeling of the poem. How does the poet accomplish this
feeling? Consider multiple elements of craft: line lengths, diction, rhyme, meter, images, figurative
language, etc. How do these elements accomplish the poet’s intended effects (as you see them)?
Remember to also include a section explaining what (specifically) a young writer can learn about
writing from this poem.
The last day to submit SCEs is Friday, December 3rd.
Final Portfolio
The final portfolio will include: all original work, including daily and weekly writing assignments
(with my comments), all notes, and revisions. Revisions include one (new/revised) 5-7 page story
and three (new/revised) poems. All loose papers must be submitted in a three-ring binder. Final
portfolios will be accepted in my office during the scheduled final exam time.
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Cell Phones/Laptops/MP3 Players
Students must obtain permission from the instructor prior to class before using laptops. Cell phone
and MP3 use during class is strictly prohibited. Also, see attendance policy.
Students with Disabilities:
Any student who because of a disability may require some special arrangements in order to meet
course requirements should contact me within the first three days of class to make necessary
accommodations. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services.
Boring Required Syllabus Stuff
This course satisfies the Texas Tech University core curriculum requirement in humanities. The
objective of the humanities in a core curriculum is to expand the student’s knowledge of the human
condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in
works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as literature and
philosophy, students will engage in critical analysis and develop an appreciation of the humanities as
fundamental to the health and survival of any society. Students graduating from Texas Tech
University should be able to think critically and demonstrate an understanding of the possibility of
multiple interpretations, cultural contexts, and values.
Calendar of Readings & Assignments
August
27 – Syllabus; Carlson, “Bigfoot” (handout)
30 – Banks, “Sarah Cole”; Boyle, “Caviar”
September
1 – Cisneros, “Never Marry”; Gaitskill, “Tiny Smiling Daddy”
3 – Diaz, “Nilda”; Johnson, “Car Crash”
6 – Labor Day. No Class.
8 – Packer, “Brownies”; Orringer, “Pilgrims”
10 – Bloom, “Silver Water”; Homes, “A Real Doll”
13 – Tan, “Two Kinds”; Walker, “Nineteen Fifty-Five”
15 – Ford, “The Communist”; Percy, “Refresh, Refresh” (handout)
17 – Dybeck, “We Didn’t”; Thon, “Xmas, Jamaica Plain”
22 – Kincaid, “Girl”; Moody, “Boys”
24 – No Class.
27 – Hanson, “Wickedness”; Minot, “Lust”
29 – Butler, “Jealous Husband”; Brockmeier, “The Ceiling”
October
1 – Link, “Stone Animals”
4 – Doerr, “The Caretaker”
6 – Lahiri, “Temporary Matter”; Desaulniers, “After Rosa Parks”
8 – Hood, “How Far She Went”; Jones, “Marie” (Last day to turn in prose SCE)
11 – Fall Break. No Class.
15 – Writing Day. No Class.
18 – Short Story Due. Begin Poetry. Readings in class.
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20 – Jones (42); Glaser (153); Shy (17)
22 – Villani (146); Grennen (83); Hicok (55); handouts
25 – Weigl (215); Gioia (187); Rosser (162); handouts
27 – Olds (21); Jarnot (119); Quintana (28); handouts
29 – Lee (220); Young (228); Webb (231); handouts
November
1 – Fairchild (154); Salter (152); Mueller (112); handouts
3 – Young (39); Wee (32); O’Sullivan (12); handouts
5 – Cleary (10); Dunn (19); Millar (173); handouts
8 – Hudgins (110); Russell (219); McCallum (162); handouts
10 – Berman (105); Updike (235); Wunderlich (94); handouts
12 – Clifton (73); Flynn (101); Bowman (95); handouts
15 – Brown (30); Chase (109); Simic (194); handouts
17 – Olds (217); Ludvigson (248); Dobyns (205); handouts
19 – Finkel (236); Gladding (264); Wrigley (223); handouts
22 – McNair (188); Lee (166); Nasrin (134)
24 – Thanksgiving Break. No Class.
26 – Thanksgiving Break. No Class.
29 – student’s choice
December
1 – student’s choice
3 – student’s choice (Last day to turn in poetry SCE)
6 – Catch up. Discuss portfolio.
8 – Last day of class.
15 – Portfolios due in my office by 7 p.m.
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