1191

The last week of class you will be reading a piece of your work to the class. The piece can be of any genre (poetry, drama, fiction).

You will have a 10 minute time limit so that we can fit everyone in.

If you choose to read a dramatic piece you can "stage" it, meaning that you may choose actors to "perform" the piece, and a stage directions reader. If you choose to do this, please select your actors ahead of time and rehearse with them.

If you choose to read poetry you should select two or more poems.

Thursday, Nov. 30 - NO CLASS

Tuesday, Dec. 5 - First Draft Fiction Assignment due, Discuss Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?, Set up workshop groups for Thursday

Thursday, Dec. 7 - Workshop Fiction Assignments, Bring 2 copies of written critiques of stories - DO NOT MISS CLASS

Tuesday, Dec. 12 - Final Draft of Fiction Assignment Due, Begin class readings

Thursday, Dec. 14 - Class party, Finish class readings

Wednesday, Dec. 20 - Final Portfolio Due by 12Noon in my office or my mailbox (Must included two genres, more guidelines to be announced last week of class)

* First Draft of Fiction Assignment (2 copies) - see guidelines on separate post

* Read Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates (Gwynn)
* Email me two discussion questions on the story by Monday, Dec. 4

* First draft due Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the beginning of class for workshop on Thursday, Dec. 7
* Bring two copies of your story
* First draft can be from 3-8 pages, double-spaced, typed, 1” margins
* Final draft due Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the beginning of class.
* 5-7 pages, double-spaced, typed, 1” margins


Elements of craft I will be looking for in your story:

1. A story set in the present. This means no flashbacks or backstory (if you want me to make an exception, please discuss it with me).
2. A plot that begins immediately with a clear conflict.
3. Two main characters, no more than three. If you introduce peripheral characters they should be minimal. Your main characters should be rounded and complex. What do they want? What are their obstacles?
4. The use of concrete, significant detail (think objects, setting).
5. Setting that is significant to the action of the story.
6. A clear and specific voice and point of view (who is telling this story from what perspective and why?). Be consistent in your point of view – use only one for the story.

Please email or meet with me if you have questions about the assignment.

English 1191 – Intro to Creative Writing
Dramatic Writing Assignment

* Due Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the beginning of class
* Format with the guidelines provided starting on page 370 of Burroway
* 5-7 pages, typed (not including Title page and Character page)


Requirements of scene:

1. Set the scene – imagine the curtain rising, what does the audience see? We should have an idea of place & time.
2. Two characters, no more than three
3. At least one significant object
4. A clear negotiation (A wants something from B, B wants something from A) with one character wining
5. Use of obstacles (possibilities: physical, other person’s will, internal) to complicate the negotiations
6. Use of at least one “prop” – sound, lighting, costume, setting
7. Clear stage directions
8. Action, not exposition
9. Dialogue, not conversation

Writing:
"Try This 10.6" exercise on page 348 of Burroway.

You may also want to try some of the other dramatic exercises in Burroway, just to work on scene-writing.

No Reading. We'll read scenes and (hopefully) watch a few in class on Thursday.

See Burroway, pgs 369-372 for the specific format I'd like you to use for your dramatic scenes.

Reading:

(1) Burroway, Drama Section, pages, 337-349

(2) First section of Paula Vogel's play, How I Learned to Drive: pgs. 1238-1256 (stop at the end of Uncle Peck's monologue on pg. 1256)

Please bring your copy of Gwynn to class on Tuesday!

Writing:
Jack and Amy are boyfriend and girlfriend. They are in a restaurant, and are having a fight. Jack has hurt Amy’s feelings, and is trying to make up to her, but Amy is still angry with Jack, and wants to stay angry.

(1) Write a paragraph in either first person POV or limited omniscient POV telling this scene, using little or no dialogue.

(2) Write a half-page or page long scene using only dialogue and action depicting this situation.

POETRY ASSIGNMENT

5-7 typed poems. Please include an original (unrevised) copy of the poem. Also include a short paragraph for each poem, detailing the poetic elements you are using in the piece - imagery, density, form, alliteration, etc.

READING:
Please re-read the short play "Eukiah" in Burroway.