Creative Writing—English 240.101
M/W 11:30-12:45 –Spring 2009—T-101
Instructor: Mrs. Linda Fretterd Earls, Associate Professor of English
Office Location: Caroline Center, Room 202E
Office Hours: M/W 9:00-10:00 a.m. & 2:30-3:30 p.m.
T/TH 1:00-2:00 p.m., or by appointment
Phone: (410) 822-5400, (410) 758-1537, or (410) 228-4360: EXT. 316
NOTE: You may also leave a message for me with the Division Secretary,
Mrs. Carolyn Causey (ext. 322) or with Mrs. Ruth Jeffries (ext. 306)
Fax: (410) 827-5814
E-mail addresses: learls@chesapeake.edu
Note: Please do not send messages to my cruiser account.
Required Text:
Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft. 2 nd
ed. Ed. Janet Burroway. New York:
Penguin, 2007. ISBN: 0-321-35740-X
Course Description
English 240 is a workshop in original composition and revision of prose and poetry.
Emphasis is on the individual conference, class consideration of student writing, and the practical problems of the writing of manuscripts.
The goals for the course are:
1.
to fulfill a general elective in any curriculum.
2.
to provide an introduction to creative writing, with an emphasis on structure, characterization, plot, and development.
3.
to increase the student’s ability to analyze and communicate his/her ideas in creative writing.
Common Core Learning Outcomes: At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
read and emulate assigned works of literature.
2.
recognize the significance and methods of structure in writing, and its relevance to the meaning of the work.
3.
recognize the significance and methods of character development.
4.
recognize the significance and methods of plot development.
5.
write a creative work with structure, character development, and plot development, building scenes and creating dialogue.
Course Content:
A
Reading-Each week students will be assigned selections from Imaginative Writing, an anthology of professional essays illustrating various writing methods, and a compilation of detailed writing assignments. The reading assignments should be completed by the dates they are assigned to prepare for class discussions and impromptu innovative writing assignments.

B
Writing-Each week students will be “trying their hand” at different genres—short fiction, poetry, play writing, etc., imitating the style and voice of some of their favorite writers. Ultimately, the semester will culminate in their own capstone project, wherein they will work on their own original piece(s) to be presented in their cleanest manuscript to the instructor and class.
C
Peer consultations-With every assignment, students will be required to submit drafts, which will be reviewed and critiqued by their peers. Hopefully students will receive some good suggestions (not only from the instructor, but also from others in the class) from which they can improve their work. By evaluating others’ work, students will unknowingly improve their own writing. Students will be offered the option to revise several of their drafts for a revised grade. The cornerstone of this course is its workshops; therefore, attendance is mandatory. More than two absences will affect the student’s grade. Students cannot merely just submit their work to the instructor. The class necessitates valuable feedback from other members from the class as well.
D
Portfolio-Students must keep a portfolio that contains hard copies of all of their written assignments, to include all revisions and peer critiques of those assignments.
Students must be ready to submit their portfolio for evaluation at any time during the semester. This portfolio is also valuable beyond the framework of the 16-week course, in order for students to showcase their work to publishers, prospective employers, four-year colleges & universities, and for posterity.
**No late assignments will be accepted for any reason. If a student cannot be in class on the day something is due, he/she must make sure the work is delivered to me via e-mail, fax, or another student.
While it is not required, it is encouraged that students use the Academic Support Center several times. The professionals there will help students devise ideas, start drafts, proofread writing, provide help with grammar, offer suggestions, etc. Please feel free to set up appointments with me also. I will not correct grammar mistakes, etc. on rough drafts, but I will offer suggestions for improvement on the content of the written assignments.

E
Evaluation:
Grading in this course will be based on a point system. Students will be notified of the points possible and their grades several times during the semester.
Nonfiction piece
Scene Development piece
Character Development piece
100 pts.
50 pts.
50 pts.
Fiction piece
Poetry piece
15 warm-ups @ 10 pts. each
Drama piece
100 pts.
50 pts.
150 pts.
100 pts.
Science Fiction piece
Active participation in workshops
Final project rough draft
Final project draft
Presentation of final project
50 pts.
100 pts.
25 pts.
200 pts.
25 pts.
Total possible: 1000 pts.*
DETERMINATION OF GRADE:
A= 900-1000 pts.
B= 800-899 pts.
C= 700-799 pts.
D=600-699 pts.
F= 698 pts. and below
Plagiarism and Cheating Policy: Any student caught cheating on any assignment, copying anyone else’s work, or taking credit for someone else’s work, will receive an automatic zero on that particular assignment. If such immoral actions continue in class, the student will automatically fail the course. Any instance of cheating of any kind automatically will be reported to the Academic Dean, Dr. Willie Woods, and to the Vice
President of Academic Services, Dr. Kathryn Barbour; and will be documented in a permanent database.

Academic Support Services:
Academic Support Center (L 131) (410) 827-5854
Monday through Thursday
Friday
Sunday asc@chesapeake.edu
9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday
Saturday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(Note: Students must bring a photo i.d. & show up at least one hour before the testing center closes in order to make up an exam).
Monday and Thursday 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

COURSE SCHEDULE – Spring 2009
SCHEDULE*
All assignments listed for a specific date must be read and completed for that date!
Also, while several readings in the text contain exercises, students are not required to complete those exercises, unless otherwise instructed to do so.
W Jan 21 Introduction to the course & each other
HW
: “Invitation to the Writer” xxi –xxviii
Chapter One 3-13
“The Giant Water Bug” 15-16
M Jan 26 Warm-Up #1
Discussion of image, details, figures of speech &
W Jan 28 Warm up #2
Discussion of Voice, Diction, persona & point of view
Workshop on non-fiction Narrative
HW
: “A Wind from the North” (145-146)
“Missing” (176-182)
Revise non-fiction narrative
M Feb 2
Non-fiction Writing Assignment
HW: Chapter Two 37-50
“Beauty: When the Other Dancer is Self” (50-56)
“Red Sky in the Morning” (173-176)
Write a two-page rough draft of your non-fiction narrative in response to the “Try This” suggestions on pages: 26, 46, 191, or
242)
Warm Up #3
Final draft of non-fiction narrative due
HW : Chapter Four (131-142)
“Scene and Summary” (277-281)
“Snow” (284-293)
W Feb 4
M Feb 9
Warm Up #4
Discussion of Setting, Mood, Symbol, Tone, Scene & Flashback
HW : Write a paragraph to a page of a creative scene responding to
the “Try This” on page 136 or 293.
Warm Up #5
Workshop on Creative Scene papers
HW : Revise Creative Scene paper
Chapter Three (79-93)
“The Inheritance of Tools” (93-99)

W Feb 11 Final draft of Creative Scene paper due
Discussion of Character Types
Discussion of Character Development paper
HW : Write a paragraph to a page responding to the “Try This” on page
92 or page 100
M Feb 16 Warm Up #6
Workshop on Character Development paper
HW : Revise Character Development paper
Chapter Eight (273-283)
“Bigfoot Stole My Wife” (300-303)
W Feb 18 Final draft on Character Development paper due
Discussion of plot & freytag model
HW
: Create rough draft of short fiction paper responding to the “Try
This” on page 284.
M Feb 23 Warm Up # 7
Workshop on Rough Draft of Short Fiction Paper
HW : “Do He Have Your Number, Mr. Jeffrey?” (252-260)
“Story” (293-295)
Revise your Short Fiction paper
W Feb 25 Warm Up #8
Workshop on Rough Draft of Short Fiction Paper
HW : Revise your Short Fiction Paper
M March 2 Short Fiction Paper Due
Discussion: Chapter 9 (309-325)
Review: figures of speech, diction, connotation, denotation, voice,
rhythm, meter, lines, form, etc.
HW : Review Chapter 9 (309-325)
“Snow Day” (27-28)
“Facing It” (28-29)
“Life Cycle of Common Man” (121-122)
W March 4 Warm Up #9
Discussion of Poetry
HW
: Write your own poem in response to “Try This” on page 29, 70, 122
or 136

M March 9 Warm Up #10
Work shop on your poem
Continued discussion of Poetry
HW : Revise your poem
“Earthmoving Malediction” (150)
“Trials of a Tourist” (151-152)
“Columbine High School” (192-193)
“The Hammock” (195-196)
“One Art” (224)
“Whatever Is Dead Stays Dead” (231-232)
W March 11 Warm Up #11
Workshop on your Poem
Continued Discussion on Poetry
HW: Final Revision of your Poem
Chapter Ten (337-349)
“Removing the Head” (360-364)
Chesapeake College Spring Break – No Classes March 16 – March 20
M March 23 Poem Due
Discussion of Freytag model, dialogue, aside, realism, romanticism, monologue, etc.
HW : Write a one-act play in response to the “Try This” on page 128
(top), 160, 204, 343 (top) or 348.
“The Philadelphia” (153-160)
W March 25 Warm Up #12
Continued Discussion on Drama
Workshop on your play
HW : Revise your play
“Eukiah” (364-368)
M March 30 Warm Up #13
Continued Discussion on Drama
Workshop on your play
HW : Revise your play
W April 1 Final Draft of your play due
Discussion on science fiction
HW:
“The Characteristics and History of Science Fiction” (hand-out)
“The Day of an American Journalist in 2889” (hand-out)

M April 6 Warm Up #14
Discussion on Science Fiction
HW : Create a Science Fiction paragraph or paper of your own
Imagine life in 2889.
W April 8 Warm Up #15
Workshop on Science Fiction piece
HW : Revise Science Fiction piece
Make a selection for your capstone project
M April 13 Workshop on Science Fiction piece
Discussion of Capstone Projects
HW : Final Revision of Science Fiction piece
Begin work on Final project
W April 15 Science Fiction piece due
Workshop on Final Project
HW : Work on Final Project
M April 20 Workshop on Final Project
HW: Work on Final Project
W April 22 Workshop on Final Project
HW: Work on Final Project
M April 27 Workshop on Final Project
HW: Work on Final Project
W April 29 Workshop on Final Project
HW: Work on Final Project
M May 4 Presentations of Final Projects
W May 6 11:00-1:00 Presentations of Final Projects
Have a great summer!

*Note: Changes may be made in the schedule at the discretion of the instructor, so stay tuned!