Creative Writing for the Rhetoric Stage I

One-semester course. A semester-long workshop dedicated to the crafts and techniques of poetry and fiction. Students will identify and explore traditional and non-traditional literary forms while developing individual creative writing projects. Copious reading and writing assignments will illustrate matters of character, style, voice, diction, stanza, structure, metaphor, and meter. A primary goal of the course will be to demystify the creative process and expand student awareness of the written arts; as such, please leave any and all preconceived notions about creative writing at the door.

Students will read, discuss, and analyze works by: Samuel Amadon; A.R. Ammons; Lucie Brock-Broido; Basil Bunting; Joshua Clover; Hart Crane; Robert Creeley; Carolina Ebeid; Matthea Harvey; Gerard Manley Hopkins; Susan Howe; Robert Lowell; Nathaniel Mackey; Rusty Morrison; Dg Nanouk Okpik; Michael Palmer; Claudia Rankine; Lisa Robertson; Tomaž Šalamun; Brandon Shimoda; Tracy K. Smith; Wallace Stevens; Roberto Tejada; Rosmarie Waldrop; Lynn Xu; and W.B. Yeats.

As stated above, the class is a workshop. Significant time will be spent critiquing work in class, and all students will be required to participate actively and thoughtfully. Any and all commentary, assuming it is fully explained, thoughtful, respectful, and intended to improve the overall achievement of the piece in question, will be welcome and encouraged.

Additionally, unless otherwise discussed and arranged, this is not a class that is designed to workshop preexisting material. Students will be expected to create new pieces which utilize the materials and concepts from class instruction.

Please note: This course is designed for high-school students. Several of these readings contain scenarios, subjects, and themes that younger and/or more sensitive readers may find upsetting or unsettling. While these texts are appropriate for mature high school students, students and parents should be aware of the complexities and intensities of these readings in advance.