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Guide To Creating a Writing SyllabusThe Art of Designing A Creative Writing Course GuideMany areas need to be addressed when creating a class syllabus. Each area is important and must not be overlooked, but it's not as easy as following a simple form.
Creative writing is a very broad field and to properly introduce students, a broad range of topics must be discussed. Creativity is something that many people possess, but the ability to make it work for them doesn't always come naturally. It is the job of the creative writing teacher to hone these skills and show students how to succeed. A general description of the writing course is a great way to lay out what is expected from the students. From this, the syllabus should more fully detail requirements and class objectives. Don't be afraid to go into detail here as this will help deter clarification questions from students. A proper syllabus should have these sections:
This is a sample "Introduction To Creative Writing" course guide. It is meant to be a springboard for ideas, as this is not the only way to design a course. Creative Writing Class DescriptionIntroduction to Creative Writing is a “gateway” course for English majors and minors. It is open to all students enrolled in an undergraduate program, but is required for those with English majors and minors. This class introduces students to the college study of creative writing and prepares them for upper division classes in the major. This class is proposed for beginners as well as serious writers who want to explore the pleasures and rigors of writing creative non-fiction, fiction, poetry and drama. Throughout the semester numerous writing exercises, reading and discussing one another’s writing in workshop format and developing a portfolio of writing will be required. Writing assignments and analyzing examples of creative writing from the textbook will also be required. All students can expect a fun, supportive, hardworking and productive class atmosphere that encourages experimentation and constructive criticism. The emphasis is on literary development as both a reader and a writer. Sample Class Objectives/GoalsThis course will enhance the students’ ability to do the following:
Sample Required Texts
Sample Course RequirementsStudents will be required to attend at least on lecture a week. The purpose of this lecture period is to introduce students to the concepts at hand as well as promote their understanding of the course material. Questions and healthy discussion will be promoted! Students must read everything they are assigned. Please be ready to discuss these works in class. To become better writers, students must first be good readers. Quality reading often makes quality-writing come easier! Students will be expected to generate approximately 40-50 pages of informal and/or formal writing in the form of writing exercises, journals, pre-writing and drafts, which will end in a final portfolio of approximately 30 pages of writing to include creative non-fiction, fiction, poetry and drama Students will be expected to contribute in large group workshops throughout the semester by presenting their original work for discussion, by writing written responses to peer works and by contributing to oral evaluations of said works. Students are expected to make a commitment and attend/participate in every scheduled class. Participation includes, but is not limited to: contributing to class discussions by actively participating with peer evaluations, coming to class prepared to read, listen, write and respond. Late papers will be penalized. More than two missed classes can reduce your final grade by a full letter and after 5 will result in failure. A proper class design will detail a personal teaching philosophy and show the students what they need to succeed. Of course, these are just suggestions and each class design should have its own personal flair to show your students that the teachers really care.
The copyright of the article Guide To Creating a Writing Syllabus in College Degrees/Programs is owned by Jessica Gleason. Permission to republish Guide To Creating a Writing Syllabus in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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