INTRODUCTION AND COURSE DESCRIPTION

Instructor: Sara McAulay
Required Texts: Burroway, Writing Fiction 6th ed.
Office: Warren Hall 585; Phone: 885-3476
Email: smcaulay@csuhayward.edu
Office hours F '04: M 1:30 - 1:30; W 5:30 - 6:30 and by appointment and email.

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GENERAL REMARKS

English 3070 is a workshop in prose fiction, the second step in the series that leads to the Creative Writing Minor, and to the Creative Writing Option within the English Major. It is intended for student writers who have successfully completed English 2070 or the equivalent, and builds upon skills introduced in the beginning workshop. Our work will focus on sharpening and deepening those basic skills, and on exploring a variety of narrative techniques. The goal is for everyone to finish the quarter with an enhanced understanding of short story form, and writing prose that is clear, economical, active and complex. This course may be taken up to three times for credit.

Though our main focus will be on the short story, we will also continue the exploration of traditional and non-tradtional narrative techniques through a series of short exercises, both individual and collaborative. There will also be a good deal of emphasis on the fine art of revision. (Student writers seldom realize how much of writing is actually rewriting, or how important the process is to the success of their work.)

Because one of the most important things a writer can do is read, there will be a short story assigned for discussion most weeks.

Note: I expect regular attendance, and conscientious preparation. You are allowed two unexcused absences. Use them wisely. Students in once-a-week classes are allowed one unescused absence.

Attendance Policy: I take roll. I expect you to arrive on time, with all reading and written assignments completed, and stay until the class is over.

Your participation in the workshop is crucial, and will affect your grade. In addition to carefully prepared written critiques, I expect you to take an active part in discussion of other students' work. The assigned readings are equally important, and I expect you to be ready with comments and questions on them, too.

Reading Journal: You will keep a journal, in which you comment both on Burroway's instructional material and the assigned stories. How do the stories reflect (or fail to reflect) the points Burroway covers? Which of these points do you find helpful in your own writing? What, in each of the stories, do you find effective or interesting? Were any of the stories problematical? If so, in what way? Etc.

Each student will be scheduled for at least one individual conference. Additional conferences available by appointment or via email.

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REQUIRED WORK/GRADING

Note: The points do not add up to 100!

• Short exercises, worth 10 points each. There will be a number of these, of different kinds: individual and group, written in class and prepared outside of class.

• Two stories, approx. 10 double-spaced pages, at least one of which must be revised after group discussion. Three shorter stories or one significantly longer one would probably be acceptable; check with me. Significant revisions of stories begun in other workshops may be acceptable under certain circumstances. Again, check with me (50 points total).

• Written critiques of other students' work (15 points total). A critique guide is available.

• Participation (10 points).

• Quizzes if the mood strikes me. (5 points each).

Attendance and punctuality: My classes start on time. I reserve the right to give short quizzes on the assigned readings at any time. All work must be typed. Exercises and stories photocopied for class discussion may be single-spaced or space-and-a-half, but please prepare a double-spaced copy for me. You are expected to revise your work. Always attach the original to the revision.

My grading standards and my expectations are high. Would you really want them otherwise?

There is no final exam. You will turn in a portfolio of all your exercises and stories, including revisions.

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