Description:

Students will study and practice writing in two or three of the major literary modes of writing: poetry, fiction, and possibly drama. The reading assignments are based on the premise that, to be a good writer, students must have knowledge of literary techniques and be perceptive readers and critics. Students will examine techniques of two or possibly three of the literary genres and then apply their knowledge to write in each genre. In addition, they will read other students' work and provide useful feedback on that work. 3 hrs./wk.

Associated Costs: These are additional (out-of-pocket) expense considerations that students should expect in addition to the course tuition, fees, and textbooks. $10 to $20.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Define the major elements of poetry, fiction, and drama.
2. Identify the major elements in published works of literature.
3. Apply these elements in their own writing.
4. Critique other students' writing with respect to the major elements used.
5. Practice confidently and independently the process of writing creatively from the inception of an idea through the final polishing stage.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Generating Ideas for Poetry
   A. Compose Writer's Journal Entries on a Regular Basis
      1. Respond to sight and sound (the world at large).
      2. React to friends and family.
      3. Probe inner feelings.
      4. Explore moments of growth and discovery.
      5. Think figuratively.
   B. Read published poems.
      1. Read published poems for inspiration to write about similar
issues and topics.
      2. Use published poems as models to imitate.

II. Major Elements of Poetry
   A. Sound
      1. Identify and define the four major sound devices, including
alliteration, consonance, assonance, and onomatopoeia.
      2. Analyze published poems for their use of sound devices.
      3. Compose an original poem that employs at least one sound device.
   B. Rhyme
      1. Identify and define the major types of rhyme, including rhyme
scheme, true rhyme, slant rhyme, and enjambment.
      2. Analyze published poems for their use of rhyme.
      3. Compose an original poem that employs a rhyme scheme.
   C. Meter
      1. Identify and define the major metrical feet, including the iamb,
trochee, anapest, dactyl, spondee, and pyrrhic.
      2. Identify and define the number of metrical feet per line,
including diameter, trimeter, tetrameter, pentamenter, hexamenter,
heptameter, and octometer.
      3. Analyze published poems for their use of meter.
      4. Compose an original poem that employs a meter.
   D. Imagery
      1. Identify and define image and image cluster.
      2. Identify and define the simile, metaphor, and personification as
used to create imagery.
      3. Distinguish between the public symbol and the private symbol, and
explain their use in creating imagery.
      4. Analyze published poems for their use of imagery.
      5. Compose original poems that employ imagery.
   E. Persona
      1. Identify and define persona, tone, and irony.
      2. Analyze published poems for their use of persona, tone, and
irony.
      3. Compose original poems that adopt a specific persona and tone.
   F. Theme
      1. Identify and define theme as it relates to poetry.
      2. Analyze published poems for their use of theme. 
      3. Compose original poems that reflect a theme.
   G. Elements to avoid in poetry
      1. Identify and define cliche, mixed metaphor, archaic diction, and
hackneyed language and imagery.
      2. Compose original poems that avoid these elements.
   H. Fixed form poetry
      1. List and describe the five most popular fixed forms of poetry,
including the Elizabethan sonnet, Italian sonnet, haiku, villanelle, and
ballad. 
      2. Analyze a published poem for each of the fixed forms, identifying
its rhyme scheme, meter, and stanza structure.
      3. Identify the topics, themes, and treatments common to each type
of fixed form.
      4. Compose an original poem that follows the form of any of the most
common fixed types, and uses appropriate poetic techniques as described in
the Major Elements of Poetry.
   I. Free verse poetry
      1. List and describe the five most popular techniques of free verse
poetry, including typography, anaphora, syntactical rhythms, line length,
and syntax.
      2. Analyze a published poem for each of the free verse techniques,
identifying its function.
      3. Compose original poems that employ at least one free verse
technique, and use other appropriate poetic techniques as described in the
Major Elements of Poetry.

III. Peer Evaluation
   A. Students will exchange copies of a poem with all members of the
class and then evaluate them, both in writing and orally in class, with
the instructor serving as the facilitator. Students will then have the
opportunity to revise this poem.

IV. Generating Ideas for Fiction
   A. Compose writer's journal entries on a regular basis
      1. Rely on personal experience.
      2. Explore relationships.
      3. Explore moments of growth and discovery.
      4. Transform real events into fiction.
   B. Read published stories
      1. Read published stories for inspiration to write about similar
issues and topics.
      2. Use published stories as models to imitate.

V. Major Elements of Fiction
   A. Narrative structure
      1. Identify and define the elements that structure a narrative,
including plot, conflict, complication, climax, resolution, rising and
falling action, scene, flashback, pace, and epiphany.
      2. Analyze published stories for their use of elements that
structure a narrative.
   B. Character
      1. Identify and define the six major types of characters, including
protagonist, antagonist, flat, round, static, and dynamic.
      2. Analyze published stories for their use of the different types of
characters.
   C. Setting
      1. Identify and define setting as it is used to create the time and
the place of a story.
      2. Analyze published stories for their use of setting.
   D. Theme
      1.  Identify and define theme as it is incorporated into a story.
      2. Analyze published stories for their use of theme.
   E. Narrative modes
      1. Identify and define the five narrative modes, including dialogue,
thought, action, description, and exposition.
      2. Analyze published stories for their use of narrative modes.
   F. Narrative personae
      1. Identify and define the six major types of narrators, including
first person, third person, objective, limited omniscient, reliable, and
unreliable.
      2. Identify and define the four major types of narrative distance,
including temporal, emotional, intellectual, and moral.
      3. Identify and define point of view.
      4. Analyze published stories for their use of narrators and point of
view.
   G. Style
      1. Identify and define the five major elements of style, including
diction, syntax, density, the balance of narrative modes, and tense.
      2. Analyze published stories for their use of the elements of
style.

VI. Application: Writing an Original Story
   A. Write a premise and character sketch identifying and describing the
nature of the conflict, the protagonist, the antagonist, the setting, the
time frame, and the type of narrator.
   B. Based upon the premise and character sketch, compose an original
story that incorporates all appropriate Major Elements of Fiction.

VII. Peer Evaluation
   A. Students will exchange copies of their story with all members of the
class and then evaluate them, both in writing and orally in class, with the
instructor serving as the facilitator. Students will then have the
opportunity to revise their story.

VIII. Sources for Drama
   A. Compose writer's journal entries on a regular basis
      1. Rely on personal experience.
      2. Explore media stories and accounts of individuals.
      3. Brainstorm a list of dramatic concepts.
      4. Write sample dialogue, developing a conversation between two
characters.
   B. Read and attend plays
      1. Use plays for inspiration to write about similar topics and
issues.
      2. Use plays as models to imitate.

IX. Major Elements of Drama
   A. Unique aspects of drama
      1. Identify and define the unique aspects of drama, including
dramatic impact, visual appeal, auditory appeal, physical production,
continuous action, and spectator art.
      2. Analyze published plays for their use of the unique aspects of
drama.
   B. Dramatic plot
      1. Identify and define the five elements of a dramatic plot,
including concept, scene, dramatic questions, pace and subplot.
      2. Analyze published plays for their use of dramatic plot.
   C. Types of conflict
      1. Identify and define the four major types of conflict, including
person against person, triangular conflicts, the individual against
society and inner conflict.
   D. Character
      1. Identify and define the three major methods of presenting
characters, including vividness, depth, and a strong first impression.
      2. Analyze published plays for their use of character presentation.
   E. Theme
      1. Identify and define theme as it functions in drama.
      2. Analyze published plays for their development of theme.
   F. Visual impact
      1. Identify and describe the function of sets, lighting, a bare
stage, and costumes.
      2. Identify the major elements of drama as used in the six major
types of drama.

X. Types of Drama
   A. Identify and define six major types of drama, including comedy,
tragedy, farce, thesis play, expressionism, theater of the absurd.
   B. Identify the major elements of drama as used in the six major types
of drama.
   C. Read published plays of at least three types.

XI. Application
   A. Compose an original one-act play that is one of the six major types
and incorporates all appropriate elements of drama.

XII. Marketing Manuscripts
   A. Markets
      1. Identify appropriate magazines and journals to submit work to.
   B. Submission
      1. Identify the guidelines for submitting a manuscript.

NOTE: SOME INSTRUCTORS EXPAND THE WORKSHOP ELEMENTS OF WRITING POEMS AND
STORIES AND ELIMINATE THE DRAMA UNIT.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

A. Major Writing Assignments
   1. Original poetry collection
   2. Premise and character sketch
   3. Original story
   4. Original one-act play

B. Minor Writing Assignments
   1. Short essays, writing exercises and quizzes.

C. Peer Evaluation
   1. Students evaluate one poem and a story.

D. Percentage of Assignments
   1. Original poetry collection    20%
   2. Premise and character sketch   5%
   3. Original story                15%
   4. Original one-act play         20%
   5. Minor writing assignments     20%
   6. Peer evaluation               20%

E. Grading Scale
   A + = 100
   A - =  95
   A   =  90
   B+  =  88
   B   =  85
   B-  =  80
   C+  =  78
   C   =  75
   C-  =  70
   D+  =  68
   D   =  65
   D-  =  60
   F   =  50

F. Grading Rationale
   The determination of the final grade in this course is necessarily less
objective than in most courses, given the nature of the subject. Generally
speaking, if students attend class consistently, satisfactorily complete
the requirements of the course, turn in their work on time, and show an
understanding of literary techniques in their work, discussion, and peer
evaluation, they will do well. Poor editing and mechanics will seriously
affect students' grade, as will turning assignments in late, being absent
during peer evaluation workshops, or not following the instructions for an
assignment.

   Plagiarized work will receive a zero.

NOTE: METHODS OF EVALUATION MAY VARY, DEPENDING ON THE INSTRUCTOR.

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.