(Logo Optional)
Dept of English and Language Studies
ENGL 221, Creative Writing
Fall 2009
3 Credits
Prerequisites: ENGL 111
Instructor(s):
Ms. Julie Barbour
322 Library
635-2657
jbarbour@lssu.edu
Office Hours:
Monday
10-12
Tuesday
Wednesday
10-12
Thursday
Friday
10-11
Required Texts: Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft, Second Ed., Janet Burroway
Recommended Text: None
Course Description: Writing and discussion of art forms such as poetry, fiction and drama consistent
with the student's individual interests.
Course Goals: To study and write in the genres of Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry.
Course Objectives: At the end of ENGL 221, you will have gained confidence in writing and revising
your own creative work, as well as giving comments on others’ creative work and receiving comments
on your own.
Grading Scale and Policies:
Point Values:
Participation (including conferences with instructor):
Final Portfolio:
Total points:
30
70
100
Grading Scale (for Final Portfolios):
A+ (97-100); A (93-96); A- (92-90)
B+ (87-89); B (83-86); B- (82-80)
C+ (77-79); C (73-76); C- (72-70)
D+ (67-69); D (63-66); D- (62-60)
This class focuses on the writing, reading, and discussion of creative work. As a writer, you will read
work by other writers; study elements of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry; generate and revise your
own creative work; and comment on the creative work of fellow writers in the class. Class time will be
spent discussing student work, talking about writing, and writing.
Dept of English and Language Studies
ENGL 221, Creative Writing
Fall 2009
3 Credits
2
As a writer, you will be given prompts that will enable you to generate your own work. You can also
find inspiration in what you see or hear in the world, what you read in and outside of class, and from
comments by fellow writers. Use all the resources available to you.
Workshop is a vital part of a creative writing class. This is where you share your own work and receive
comments for ideas and revision. As you will be receiving comments, you must also give them. A few
rules must be followed for workshop to run smoothly:
1. The writer is not allowed to speak until after his/her work has been discussed. The writer may
speak or ask additional questions after the conversation on his/her piece is over.
2. Write down comments as your work is being discussed. You do not have to use all the comments
offered, but do listen to what others have to say.
3. Offer constructive criticism. If a part of a piece does not work, be specific about why it does not
work and offer solutions. Likewise, if a part of a piece is successful, be specific about why or
how it works. Do not offer simple comments such as “I liked it,” as this is not helpful to the
writer.
4. Remember that each creative piece is a work in progress, even your own.
Workshop will be held every Monday beginning with the fourth class meeting. Creative work is due
each Monday at the beginning of class. Packets of student work, to be read for the next class meeting,
will be available on Wednesdays outside my office door. You will be expected to make comments on
work by other students by the day of workshop and to participate in each workshop.
Policies
Attendance: You are allowed a total of 2 unexcused absences. Except for medical appointments, please
do not make other appointments during class time. You are responsible for obtaining notes or handouts
from the days you miss class. If outside circumstances are keeping you from attending class, please see
me.
Grading: Your final grade will consist of a final portfolio, participation in workshop, and two
conferences with the instructor. The final portfolio will consist of your best creative work, including
drafts, and will include one to two pieces in each genre, plus additional pieces in the genre of your
choice (six poems, two stories, or two essays).
Conferences: You will have two conferences with me to discuss your work at mid-term and at the end of
the semester. These are mandatory.
Ground Rules:



Be on time for class.
All cell phones must be turned off before class begins and stored away.
Laptops are allowed in class only during class writing time.
Please respect the other students in the classroom. If you have a statement to make, wait until the
speaker is finished, and then take your turn. Otherwise, please do not pass notes or whisper to
your neighbor while myself or another class member is speaking. Save your personal
conversations for non-class time.
3
Dept of English and Language Studies
Fall 2009
ENGL 221, Creative Writing
3 Credits

If it necessary for you to leave the room briefly, please exit and return quietly.

Since this class meets for nearly three hours, we will have a 20 minute break halfway through the
class. Food is only allowed during this time period. Drinks are allowed as long as the bottle can be
capped so it will not spill. If you happen to make a mess, please clean it up before you leave.

Others will be added as deemed necessary.
University Policies and Statements:
The Americans with Disabilities Act & Accommodations
In compliance with Lake Superior State University policies and equal access laws, disability-related
accommodations or services are available to students with documented disabilities.
If you are a student with a disability and you think you may require accommodations you must register with
Disability Services (DS), which is located in the KJS Library, Room 130, (906) 635-2355 or x2355 on
campus. DS will provide you with a letter of confirmation of your verified disability and authorize
recommended accommodations. This authorization must be presented to your instructor before any
accommodations can be made.
Students who desire such services should meet with instructors in a timely manner, preferably during the
first week of class, to discuss individual disability related needs. Any student who feels that an
accommodation is needed – based on the impact of a disability – should meet with instructors privately to
discuss specific needs.
IPASS (Individual Plan for Academic Student Success)
If at mid-term your grades reflect that you are at risk for failing some or all of your classes, you will be
contacted by a representative of IPASS. The IPASS program is designed to help you gain control over your
learning through pro-active communication and goal-setting, the development of intentional learning skills
and study habits, and personal accountability. You may contact 635-2887 or email ipass@lssu.edu if you
would like to sign up early in the semester or if you have any questions or concerns.
HONOR PLEDGE
As a student of Lake Superior State University, you have pledged to support the Student Honor Code of the
College of Engineering & Technology. You will refrain from any form of academic dishonesty or deception
such as cheating, stealing, plagiarism or lying on take-home assignments, homework, computer programs,
lab reports, quizzes, tests or exams which are Honor Code violations. Furthermore, you understand and
accept the potential consequences of punishable behavior.
Dept of English and Language Studies
ENGL 221, Creative Writing
Fall 2009
3 Credits
Tentative Course Outline
Reading
Assignment
Assignment
Due
Review
Begin writing
Date
Topic
8/31
Introduction to course
9/14
Creative Nonfiction
Creative
Nonfiction
elements (Intro
pp. 237-48); “Do
He Have Your
Number, Mr.
Jeffrey?” by
Gayle
Pemberton (pp.
252-261) and
“Interlude” by
William
Kittredge (p.
261); Creative
Nonfiction
Format (pp. 26971)
Continue
working on
Creative
Nonfiction
piece
9/21
Workshop and Fiction
elements
“The
Workshop”
(pp. 220222);
Fiction
elements
(pp. 27384); Story
(pp. 16372); “Snow”
by Charles
Baxter (pp.
284-93)
Creative
Nonfiction
piece due
9/21
9/28
Fiction
“A Clean,
Well-lighted
Place” by
Ernest
Hemingway
(pp. 296-99)
and “Bigfoot
Stole My
Continue to
work on
Fiction piece
(see attached
schedule for
further course
“Invitation to the
Writer”
Introduction);
Review
Development
and Structure
section (pp. 20714);
Begin Creative
Nonfiction (Intro
pp. 237-48)
4
Dept of English and Language Studies
ENGL 221, Creative Writing
Wife” by Ron
Carlson (pp.
300- 303);
Fiction
Format (pp.
304-306)
Fall 2009
3 Credits
outline)
(Topical Outline for Instructor Only)
Topical Outline for ABCD101
(3 credits)
% of time spent

Initial Course topics to be covered
20

Additional Course Topics
30

Subsequent Topics
30

Final Topics
20
Total
100%
5
Dept of English and Language Studies
ENGL 221, Creative Writing
Fall 2009
3 Credits
ENG 221 Course Outline
8/31 First day stuff
-Review “Invitation to the Writer” (Introduction)
-Review Development and Structure section (pp. 207-14)
-Begin Creative Nonfiction (Intro pp. 237-48)
-Look over prompts; begin writing
9/7 Labor Day recess-- no class
9/14 Discuss Creative Nonfiction elements (Intro pp. 237-48)
-Discuss “Do He Have Your Number, Mr. Jeffrey?” by Gayle Pemberton (pp. 252-261) and “Interlude”
by William Kittredge (p. 261)
-Review Creative Nonfiction Format (pp. 269-71)
-Writing Time
9/21 Creative Nonfiction piece due at the beginning of class
-Discuss “The Workshop” (pp. 220-222)
-Discuss Fiction elements (Intro pp. 273-84)
-Review Story (pp. 163-72)
-Discuss “Snow” by Charles Baxter (pp. 284-93)
-Writing Time
9/28 Discuss “A Clean, Well-lighted Place” by Ernest Hemingway (pp. 296-99) and “Bigfoot Stole My
Wife” by Ron Carlson (pp. 300- 303)
-Review Fiction Format (pp. 304-306)
-Workshop
10/5 Fiction piece due at the beginning of class
-Discuss Poetry elements (pp. 309-315)
-Discuss poems by Plath, Kowit, Larkin, and Paley (pp. (326-29)
-Workshop
10/12 Continue discussion of Poetry elements (pp. 315-25)
-Discuss poems by Smith, Wilbur, Olds, and Berryman (pp. 329-33)
-Review Poetry format (pp. 333-34)
-Workshop
10/26 1-2 Poems due at the beginning of class
-Discuss Revision and Editing (pp. 214-19)
-Discuss Bishop’s drafts of “One Art” (pp. 222-225) and James Kimbrell’s drafts of “Four Tangerines”
(pp. 231-35)
-Workshop
6
7
Dept of English and Language Studies
Fall 2009
ENGL 221, Creative Writing
3 Credits
11/2 Discuss Image (pp. 3-15)
-Discuss “The Giant Water Bug” by Annie Dillard (pp. 15-16), “The Ring of Time” by E.B. White (pp.
16-20) and poems by Hughes, Collins, Komunyakaa, and Reed (pp.26-30)
-Workshop
11/9 Piece in a genre of your choice due at the beginning of class
-Continue discussion of Image with “The Diamond Mine” by Nadine Gordimer (pp. 20-26)
-Review “Working Toward a Draft” (pp. 34)
-Discuss Voice (pp. 37-50)
-Discuss “Beauty: When the Other Dancer is the Self” by Alice Walker (pp. 50-6)
-Workshop
11/16 Continue discussion of Voice with “Sitting with the Dead” by William Trevor (pp. 58-67) and
poems by Soto (pp. 68-9), Raz, and Hamby (pp. 71-73)
-Review “Working Toward a Draft” (p. 76)
-Discuss Character (pp. 79- 93)
-Workshop
11/23 Piece in a genre of your choice due at the beginning of class
-Continue discussion of Character with “The Inheritance of Tools” by Scott Russell Sanders (pp. 93100), “Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri (pp. 100-17), and poems by Roethke, Oles, and
Ginsberg (pp. 117-20)
-Review “Working Toward a Draft” (p. 128)
-Workshop
11/30 Discuss Setting (pp. 131-42)
-Discuss “At the Dam” by Joan Didion (pp. 143-44), “The School” by Donald Barthelme (pp. 146-49),
and poems by Alexie, McHugh, and Tibble (pp. 149-52)
-Review “Working Toward a Draft” (p. 161)
-Workshop
12/7 Final Workshop