Winter 2020 Creative Writing
English 2905: Introduction to Creative Writing, Tuesdays 7-9:30 (Instructor: Robert Finley)
Introduction to Creative Writing is an introductory course in the writing of fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Course work will include weekly writing exercises and peer-editing workshops where students have the opportunity to create and critique their own work. In addition, work by a number of authors will be read as models. At the end of the course, students should have a better understanding of these three genres. They will also have in hand writing portfolios in these three genres suitable as admission portfolios to our more advanced creative writing workshops.
Registration for English 2905 is via MUN's regular online registration service. No portfolio is required for this course and admission is on a first come first served basis. For further information on the course, please contact Robert Finley at rfinley@mun.ca
English 3900: Fiction, Wednesdays 7-9:30 (Instructor: Ed Kavanagh)
The goal of this course is to provide students with an in-depth introduction to the art of fiction. It focuses primarily on the student’s weekly writing assignments and offers examination, critique, and exploration of the style, form, and content of each student’s ongoing creative process. Each student’s work will be critiqued by the class and revised for submission. Topics will include show and tell; plotting; characterization; exposition; voice; sophistication; point of view; epiphany; proportion; interior monologue; dialogue mechanics; revision. An effort will be made to address any other elements that students may wish to bring up.
Students must submit an admission portfolio of 5-10 pages. The portfolio should be comprised of short fiction – and may include a few short pieces, a complete short story, or an excerpt from a longer work of fiction. As class size is limited to ensure everybody’s work gets thorough attention, admission will be based on the portfolio.
Portfolio Deadline: December 1, 2019 Please submit portfolios to Ed Kavanagh at e.kavanagh@mun.ca
English 4913: Advanced Nonfiction, Thursdays 7-9:30 (Instructor: Robert Finley)
ENGL 4913: Non-Fiction is a creative writing workshop designed for more practiced writers interested in exploring -- and in extending -- the possibilities of literary nonfiction. Most of the course work is devoted to practical work on writing, but this will be supplemented with close readings and rhetorical analyses of a number of texts, and with a consideration of the nature and history of the genre. A final portfolio, presentation of a critical reading of at least one text, and participation in peer critiques and group work will form the basis for evaluation in the course.
Students must submit an admission portfolio of 5-10 pages. The portfolio should be comprised of short fiction – and may include a few short pieces, a complete short story, or an excerpt from a longer work of fiction. As class size is limited to ensure everybody’s work gets thorough attention, admission will be based on the portfolio.
Portfolio Deadline: December 1, 2019 Please submit portfolios to Robert Finley at rfinley@mun.ca