English 199: Creative Writing 5 Week Schedule for Summer I (2011)
There will be other assignments (in-class and out-of-class), which will grow organically through class
discussion, and cannot be assigned ahead of time.
IMPORTANT DATES TO KEEP IN MIND:
May 23, 24: Final days to Add/Drop for 100% refund of tuition and fees.
May 30: Memorial Day: University closed.
June 6: Final day to withdraw from a course for a 50% refund and a “W” grade.
June 27: End of Summer I Session.
WEEK 1
23 Introduction to course, an overview of creative writing, writing exercises, the writing process, and
class discussion.
Assigned: Non-fiction Narrative, Celebrity Profile
Assigned: Character sketches and setting
25 Discuss the art of the story, characters, values, internal v.s. external struggle, P.O.V, basic terms;
analyze setting and character.
Due: Non-fiction Narrative, Character sketches and setting, Celebrity Profile.
Assigned: Character sketches and setting (yes, again); Handout of the short-story, “Emergency” by Denis
Johnson will be posted on www.NavdeepSinghDhillon.com/students (print it out and bring it next class)
WEEK 2
30 NO CLASS: MEMORIAL DAY
1 Introduction to fiction, the genre of short-story, the novel, and the novella; discuss elements of the
story; analyze “Emergency” by Denis Johnson (handout posted on
www.NavdeepSinghDhillon.com/students last class).
Assigned: Short-story; Handout of “The Paper Hanger” by William Gay and “A Good Man is Hard to
Find” by Flannery O’Connor will be posted on www.NavdeepSinghDhillon.com/students (print it out and
bring it next class)
Due: Character sketches and setting
WEEK 3
6 Discuss the use of voice, developing character, the link between place and character; analyze “The
Paper Hanger” by William Gay and “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor (handout was
posted on www.NavdeepSinghDhillon.com/students last class).
8 Introduction to screenwriting: log lines, 3-act structure, basic definitions
Assigned: Screenplay, read screenplay, “I Love You Phillip Morris” and print the first twenty pages (a
link to the entire script will be posted on www.NavdeepSinghDhillon.com/students)
Due: Short Story
WEEK 4
13 Analysis of plot and setting; analyze Act I of “I Love You Phillip Morris”
15 Analysis of dialogue and character; analyze Act III of “I Love You Phillip Morris” (printout not
required, but there will be a writing exercise)
WEEK 5
20 A screening; class party
Due: Screenplay
22 Conference and shoestring outline/synopsis for your next project from any genre
WEEK 6
27 END OF SUMMER I
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