Spring 2005

E 318L • Introduction to Creative Writing: Poetry

Course Description

From the back roads of Appalachia to the superhighways of L.A., from the sunlit cab of a pick-up to the dizzying view from over the wing of a plane, we will focus on poetry as a means to describe the world we inhabit and our travels through it. During this workshop, created to assist both beginning and experienced writers, we will study the use of image, detail, and description in works by contemporary poets and classmates. One of the main goals of the class will be to help students attain a writer’s discipline in the terms of journal writing for inspiration, crafting poems, and revising them. We will also focus on how to become better editors of our work and the work of our peers.

While most in-class activities will focus on poetry and short prose pieces related to travel and place, poems of all subject matter will be welcome for workshop discussion and as part of the final portfolio.

Grading Policy

Weekly poems and written feedback on classmates’ work 15%
One 4-5-page craft analysis of a series of place-based poems or book of poetry by a single author; each student will also give a 5-10-minute presentation of her/his findings 20%
One 4-5-page peer analysis of another student’s final portfolio of poems 20%
One 2-3-page review of a poetry reading 10%
Final Portfolio of 7-10 revised poems 35%

Texts

Koch, Kenneth, Making Your Own Days
Goldberg, Natalie, Writing Down the Bones
Course packet

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