MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

CRW150  1995 Spring – 2011 Fall

Introduction to Creative Writing

1.

Use several different techniques of invention and discovery to generate ideas for creative writing. (I)

2.

Use several different sources to find ideas and/or background information for creative writing. (I)

3.

Write samples of creative work in a variety of genres. (I-III, VII-IX)

4.

Evaluate language in professional and student writing, considering precision, conciseness, use of connotation and use of figurative language. (II, IV, VI, VII)

5.

Use imagery in a variety of genres. (II, III, VIII)

6.

In several different genres of creative writing, use a variety of techniques to control the reader-writer relationship. (II, III, VIII)

7.

Use a variety of techniques to develop elements in a creative work, including plot, character, setting, point of view, theme, and dialogue. (III, VIII)

8.

Distinguish between showing and telling, and write examples of both. (III, VIII)

9.

Distinguish between narration and description, and write examples of both. (III, VIII)

10.

Identify cliches, sentimentality, insufficient revision, insufficient editing, and inappropriate genre choice in writing samples. (IV, VI, VII)

11.

Identify the elements that characterize each genre of creative writing. (V)

12.

Participate in a creative writing workshop. (VI, VII)

13.

Evaluate student and professional writing according to its aesthetic value, its adherence to a particular form if applicable, the overall quality of its writing, and its use of elements particular to the genre it is in. (VI, VII)

14.

Explicate a portion of another writer's creative work. (VI, VII)

15.

Paraphrase a portion of another writer's creative work. (VI, VII)

16.

Prepare questions about a work of creative writing that will facilitate discussion, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of that work. (VI)

17.

Read your own creative writing aloud to a group. (VII)

18.

Verbally, or in writing, analyze, interpret, and evaluate another writer's creative work. (VII)

19.

Verbally, or in writing, offer constructive commentary to another writer about his creative work. (VII)

20.

Participate in a collaborative writing. (VII)

21.

Use a variety of techniques to revise the student's own creative work. (IX)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

CRW150  1995 Spring – 2011 Fall

Introduction to Creative Writing

I. Invention and Discovery

A. Techniques

1. Freewriting

2. Writer's notebook

3. Journal

4. Models

B. Sources

1. Memory

2. Dreams

3. Interview

4. Reading

5. Computer databases and networks

II. Elements of Creative Writing

A. Language

1. Precision

2. Conciseness

3. Connotation

4. Figurative language

B. Imagery

C. Reader-writer relationship

1. Establishing target audience

2. Authorial voice and perspective

3. Allusion

4. Irony

5. Humor

6. Style and tone

D. Theme and meaning

III. Techniques

A. Plot and story

1. Tension and conflict

2. Plausibility

B. Characterization

C. Setting and atmosphere

D. Point of view

E. Theme

F. Showing and telling

G. Dialogue

H. Narration

I. Description

IV. Problems

A. Cliche and sentimentality

B. Lack of development/depth

C. Insufficient revision

D. Insufficient editing

E. Inappropriate genre

V. Overview of Genres

A. Poetry

B. Fiction

C. Stage play

D. Screen play

E. Creative nonfiction

F. Special interests

1. Children's literature

2. Horror

3. Romance

4. Science fiction

5. Action/adventure

VI. Workshop Preparation

A. Explication and paraphrase

B. Interpretation

C. Questions and comments

VII. Workshop Techniques

A. Reading aloud

B. Analyzing and evaluating

C. Constructive commentary

D. Collaborative writing

VIII. In-Class Writing

IX. Revision Techniques