Assignments:

5 POEMS:

Write 5 different poems from either in-class prompts or on your own.

With my permission, you may turn in a revision of a previous poem, and it will count as one of your 5 poems.

              Poem 1 Due: Th. 9/11

              Poem 2 Due: Th. 9/18

              Poem 3 Due: Tues. 10/21

              Poem 4 Due: Th. 10/30

              Poem 5 Due: Tues. 11/18

2 POETRY REVISIONS:

At any time in the semester, hand in 2 revisions of previous poems. A revision is not just a small surface edit. The revisions must be sincere, so choosing fresh and messy poems as originals might be a good idea. It’s up to you. Revise what you want.

1 SHORT STORY:

This doesn’t have to be a finished short story. Ideally you will be nearly completed with a story, but the main idea is that you hand in what is the product of sincere effort into completing a story.

              First draft due: Th. 10/16

              Final draft due: In portfolio.

2 SHORT STORY REVISION:

At any time in the semester, hand in 2 revisions of previous poems. Again, a revision is not just a small surface edit. The revisions must document your progress as the story develops and ages.

3 STUDENT CRITIQUES; (2 paragraphs each)

During the semester we will be reading our own and others work in class. These critique letters will be your personal response to three of such poems. Any angle on the poem is appropriate. I just want to see you think critically about what works or doesn’t work, or what interests you or doesn’t. You may discuss craft elements such as metaphor and structure, or you may discuss thematic issues.

              Critique 1 Due: Th. 10/2

              Critique 2 Due: Th. 10/23

              Critique 3 Due: Th. 11/20

2 READING RESPONSES: (2-3 pages each)

             Due: Th. 10/2

Each student must attend at least one poetry or fiction reading during the semester. This first response will be written in response to attending the reading. Again, take any angle you please. I would like to see some literary analysis in the response, but your responses should mostly reflect your own experience at the reading.

            Due: Th. 11/6

You must respond critically to one of the published poems we discuss in class. Students should respond thematically, as well as addressing craft issues within the poem.

***FINAL PORTFOLIO***

            Due: Th. 12/11

Consists of :

5 poems (5-15 total pages);

2 poetry revisions;

1 short story (6-15);

2 short story revisions;

2 reading responses (2-3 pages each)