LITT70003
Introduction to Creative Writing
Sheridan
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 

Land Acknowledgement

Sheridan College resides on land that has been, and still is, the traditional territory of several Indigenous nations, including the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We recognize this territory is covered by the Dish with One Spoon treaty and the Two Row Wampum treaty, which emphasize the importance of joint stewardship, peace, and respectful relationships.

As an institution of higher learning Sheridan embraces the critical role that education must play in facilitating real transformational change. We continue our collective efforts to recognize Canada's colonial history and to take steps to meaningful Truth and Reconciliation.


Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Fall 2017
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Creative Writing
Program Coordinator(s): N/A
Course Leader or Contact: N/A
Version: 20170905_00
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
Designed to be a general introduction to the craft of creative writing, explore the technique, style, and craft of major writing categories, including fiction, non-fiction and poetry. This introduction to the many genres of creative writing emphasizes personal creativity. Learn how to approach editors and market a manuscript. Take this opportunity to develop ideas and receive feedback from the instructor and other members of the class.

Program Context

 
Creative Writing Program Coordinator(s): N/A
N/A


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

  Critical Performance:
By the end of this course, students will have the ability to generate their own independent writing work.
 
Learning Outcomes:

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Distinguish the boundaries between the different genres.
  2. Use imagery, dialogue and narration for distinction
  3. Recognize limitations of certain crafting techniques.
  4. Examine the techniques behind all good writing; involving clarity, fluidity, smooth transition, concrete wording and brevity, etc.
  5. Generate and express independent thought, compose journals and produce a notebook of ideas.
  6. Plan, research, organize and edit their own and others work.
  7. Appreciate the techniques behind all good writing and different genres.
  8. Explore and attempt to write in various modes.
  9. Develop a sensitivity and insight fullness to the written word.

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 Evaluation Plan: IN-CLASS
 6 Writing Assignments @ 10%60.0%
 2 In-Class Assignments @ 5%10.0%
 Short Story Assignment20.0%
 Attendance and Class Participation10.0%
Total100.0%

Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure:
To encourage behaviours that will help students to be successful in the workplace and to ensure that students receive credit for their individual work, the following rules apply to every course offered within the Faculty of Continuing and Professional Studies. 1. Students are responsible for staying abreast of test dates and times, as well as due dates and any special instructions for submitting assignments and projects as supplied to the class by the professor. 2. Students must write all tests at the specified date and time. Missed tests, in-class/online activities, assignments and presentations are awarded a mark of zero. If an extension or make-up opportunity is approved by the professor as outlined below, the mark of zero may be revised by subsequent performance. The penalty for late submission of written assignments is a loss of 10% per day for up to five business days (excluding weekends and statutory holidays), after which, a grade of zero is assigned. Business days include any day that the college is open for business, whether the student has scheduled classes that day or not. 3. Students who miss a test or in-class/online activity or assignment or fail to submit an assignment on time due to exceptional circumstances are required to notify their professor in advance of the class whenever possible. A make-up test may be supplied for students who provide an acceptable explanation of their absence and/or acceptable documentation explaining their absence (e.g., a medical certificate). All make-up tests are to be written at a time and place specified by the professor upon the student¿s return. Alternately, students may be given an opportunity to earn the associated marks by having a subsequent test count for the additional marks. Exceptional circumstances may result in a modification of due dates for assignments. 4. Unless otherwise specified, assignments and projects must be submitted at the date and time specified by the instructor. 5. Students must complete every assignment as an individual effort, unless the professor specifies otherwise. 6. Since there may be instances of grade appeal or questions regarding the timely completion of assignments and/or extent of individual effort, etc., students are strongly advised to keep, and make available to their professor, if requested, a copy of all assignments and working notes until the course grade has been finalized. 7. There will be no resubmission of work unless this has been previously agreed to or suggested by the professor. 8. Students must submit all assignments in courses with practical lab and field components in order to pass the course.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:


 

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar

  • Not Eligible for PLAR

 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: In-Class
Professor: Multiple Professors
Resource(s):
Course material costs can be found through the Sheridan Bookstore

 TypeDescription
OptionalOtherNo textbook required

Applicable student group(s): Continuing Education Students
Course Details:

Module 1: Getting Started

  • Introduction and discussion of syllabus / assignments 
  • Submission format
  • Story ideas and the myth of Writer's Block 

Module 2: Telling A Story

  • Non-Fiction Writing Styles
  • Assignment: Writing Assignment #1

Module 3: Showing A Story 

  • First Rule of Fiction: Show - Don't Tell 
  • Assignment: Writing Assignment #2

Module 4: Character Part #1

  • Where do characters come from? 
  • Assignment: In-Class Assignment #1

Module 5: Character Part #2

  • Introducing your characters to the reader 
  • GMC, or 'How Characters Become Plots' 
  • Assignment: Writing Assignment #3

Module 6: Point of View

  • Who gets to tell the story?
  • Assignment: Writing Assignment #4

Module 7: Dialogue 

  • The difference between dialogue and conversation 
  • Dialogue rules and formatting 
  • Assignment: Writing Assignment #5

Module 8: Setting

  • More than Time and Place
  • Assignment: Writing Assigment #6

Module 9: Crafting A Short Story

  • Putting it all together 
  • Assignment: Short Story Assignment 

Module 10: Research

  • Fact Checking - where, when, and why?
  • Assignment: In-Class Assigment #3

Module 11: Short Story Workshop 

Module 12: Short Story Workshop / The Business Side

  • How do I get published?
  • What now? 


Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

  • Academic Integrity
  • Copyright
  • Intellectual Property
  • Respectful Behaviour
  • Accessible Learning
All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.


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