Spring Quarter 2008
*This is an
entirely on line class. I am not
available on campus or by phone.
If
VISTA goes down, you can reach me at my campus email.
·
Drake: Writing
Poetry
·
Goldberg: Writing Down the Bones
·
If you
have taken one of the writing poetry courses at BCC already and have read Drake
and Goldberg, please also purchase Ted Kosser: Poetry Repair Manual, Advice
for Beginning Poets. This is a
great reading for every poet. It is required reading for students who are
taking the course for the second or third time.
·
If you
are taking the course for a second or third time, please let me know right
away. You will be re-reading Drake,
following the prompts for poems, and ALSO reading a chapter out of Kooser each
week.
Every student must also have
1. A reliable computer, equipped with Microsoft World. You may not use Works or Work Perfect for this course. If you do not have MS Word, save your work in RTF (Rich Text Format)
2. Since many do not yet have Word 2007, save your work in Work 97-2003.
3. A reliable internet connection.
4. Reliable computer back-up.
You should also have:
·
A CD to back up your work for this course
·
A notebook to use for your writing journal
·
A quiet place and desk, free from distractions,
including conversation, radio, TV, I Pod, and internet games, where you can
complete your work for this course.
I am a well-published poet, and I have taught writing poetry for many years. Poetry is a significant part of my life. I read it, write it and I love helping my students develop their poetry writing skills.
I believe that any kind of writing requires knowledge, courage, commitment, and discipline. I also believe writing, like any skill, can be taught and learned, and that is best done in a positive, supportive environment.
In my experience, all kinds of writing are challenging, sometimes very frustrating, but overall, exhilarating, and life enhancing. I can’t imagine, really, wanting to do anything else. I count myself fortunate to be able to teach what I love.
I hope that you will come away from this course with an increased understanding of your creativity, writing process and style.
Nuts and Bolts
This class is conducted entirely
on-line; therefore, you are not required to attend classroom sessions. However,
this is not a correspondence course to be completed on your own timetable in
isolation. How much you learn will be
directly proportional to how much you participate in the online community, how
well you manage your time, and how well you follow written directions. If you
are not sure whether or not an online course is right for you, complete the
following questionnaire: http://distance-ed.bcc.ctc.edu/webassess/
If you have signed up for this class thinking that it would involve less work than a course in the classroom alas you were mistaken. You will need a minimum of one or two uninterrupted hours every weekday to work on the assignments for this class.
4.
If you
have problems, please let me know right away. If you are not able to
contact me, ask a friend or family member to do so.
5.
If you
are a Running Start Student, you will find college expectations different
from high school ones. Please be aware that it is not appropriate for your
parent or guardian to contact me about your work in the class. You will need to meet the course expectations
and due dates irrespective of your high school demands and/or commitments.
By
the end of this course, you will know
·
Reading is a requirement for good writing;
·
Writing of any kind requires that we carve out the space
and time necessary to nourish our creativity and generate worthy work;
·
The vocabulary of poetry includes line, line break,
stanza, diction, tone, image, metaphor, extended metaphor, scansion, rhythm,
closed and open form;
·
The writing process has four stages: free writing, first draft, and revised draft,
final revision, which are not completed at one time or in one sitting.
·
Form emphasizes meaning;
·
Good
writing is 90% active voice; specific,
sensory details; strong, showing verbs, and naming nouns;
·
How to read, analyze and critique poems;
·
How to self-assess.
Be sure that you are aware of the course
timelines and are prepared to meet them. You may need to work ahead to
meet the weekly schedule. Late work will
not earn credit.
Each week you will
1. Read a chapter in Drake and Goldberg (or Drake and
Kooser),
2. Write a poem to a prompt. Post your poem to the
Discussion Board by noon on Wednesday.
3. Write a response to a topic or question and post it
to that Week’s topic on the Discussion Board.
Post your work by Noon on Wednesday.
While you
are waiting for comments on your own work, you will be
1. Reading all the work that is posted to the
Discussion Board.
2. Responding to at least three posts to the Discussion
topic or question by 5:00 p.m. on Friday. (5 pts)
3. Carefully critiquing three poems using the critique
guidelines, by 5:00 p.m. on Friday. (5
pts)
1.
Substantially revise three (3)
poems which you will submit to the Assignment Drop Box. These revisions will be due by the
Monday of Week 4, 6, and 8. You will also write a self-assessment to accompany
your revised poem. I will give you guidelines to help you with your revision
and your assessment. 10 Points each.
2.
Attend a poetry reading... If you live in an area where
there are no live readings, you may substitute listening to a reading on the
internet. Many are available. I will send you a list of places to hear live
readings in the Seattle area as well as instructions on how to write about your
experience attending a reading. 20 Points. Due by week 10.
3.
Prepare a Final Portfolio (30 pts and
4.
A Final Self-evaluation (10 pts.)
How
I Will Respond to Your Work
· I will not grade your weekly poems, although I will read them all.
· If you wish me to respond to a poem, send your poem to me on our course email site. I am always happy to read and review your work.
· I will read all the posts to the discussion board, and sometimes I will join in on the discussion. I will assign weekly Discussion points based on your participation on the Discussion Board, your responses and critiques.
· I will assign points for your Revised Poems, your Final Portfolio and for attending a live reading.
Your grades are based on the
total number of points you earn for the class.
The chart below shows the
maximum number of points possible for each assignment.
Assignments
|
Weekly pts |
Qtr points
|
|
1.
Post and
Critique Poems |
5 |
40 |
|
2.
Post and
respond to Weekly Discussion topic |
5 |
40 |
|
3.
Attending a
live poetry reading |
|
20 |
|
4.
Three
Revisions + evaluation |
10 each |
30 |
|
7. Final Portfolio |
|
30 |
|
8. Final
Self assessment Of your
learning in this class. |
|
10 |
|
9. Syllabus Quiz
Introduction Beginning
Writing Assessment |
|
15 |
|
Total weekly and qtr points |
|
185 pts. |
|
185-166 |
A range |
|
169-133 |
B range |
|
132-99 |
C range |
|
98- 60 |
D range |
|
Below 60 |
Failing |
Here is a list of books that I recommend if you want to read more about
creativity and/or
writing poetry. I
will also be happy to recommend individual collections of poets for you.
Ted Kooser: The
Poetry Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets (excellent
advice from the current U.S. Poet Laureate)
Rollo May: The Courage to Create
Mary Oliver: Blue Pasture and Rules
for the Dance.
William Stafford: Writing the Australian Crawl and You Must
Revise Your Life
Richard Hugo: Triggering Town
Theodore Roethke: On the Poet and
His (sic) Craft