Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	12/02/2020
Top Code	150700 - Creative Writing
Units	4 Total Units
Hours	72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 72)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S),  Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)	OC Humanities - AA (OC1)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)	OCC Humanities - AS (OSC2)

Course Description

This is a writing workshop for students who have completed more than 150 pages of an original novel. The course is designed to assist students in finishing their novels and prepare them to market professional manuscripts for publication. Students will research current standards for query letters and other submission procedures and apply them to the process of selling their work. Manuscripts submitted for workshop will meet contemporary publication standards. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Analyze narrative strategies in published fiction, critique peer submissions, understand publication standards for manuscript submission and employ those standards in the preparation of a novel-length submission package.

Course Objectives

• 1. Demonstrate knowledge of specific techniques of story telling, with a concentration on global revision techniques as well as drafting and revising an extended manuscript of 200-400 pages.
• 2. Maintain a disciplined writing schedule and method of composition, which will lead to the successful completion of a book-length manuscript.
• 3. Analyze and assess the work of contemporary writers and critics for placement in publication markets.
• 4. Revise 200-400 pages of typed manuscript.
• 5. Criticize and discuss manuscripts according to workshop protocol, incorporating mastery of line and scene editing skills and major plot restructuring.
• 6. Develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for fiction through analysis of published works and the students own work in progress.

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Lecture Content

Mastery of the techniques of fiction Narrative Point of View Authorial Voice Texture Sensory Detail Plot Character Dialogue Time Compression Scene Panorama Movement and Modulation Mastery of the Writers Schedule Page Count Hour Count Writers Block Prewriting Revising Editing Mastery of Methods of Criticism Analysis of structure, style, and theme Applying judgments to published work Applying judgments to students work Techniques for writing effective critiques Mastery of the study of appropriate models Contemporary novels Literary and genre fiction Critical reviews and essays Mastery of the Research Process Historical Context Location Studies Strategies of Published Authors Experimental Forms Analysis and applicaction of essays on craft Final Editing Techniques Advanced Market Analysis Analysis of current market Student and professional reading Preparation of manuscript Submission of manuscript for publication Analysis of legal aspects: copyrights, libel, contracts Publication Finding an agent Working with an editor Self-publishing and e-books Contests, Awards, Fellowships, and Writers Retreats

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Live Online Lecture (02S)

Instructional Techniques

Lectures focus on mastery of creative writing techniques and critical thinking strategies about the craft of writing a novel, providing a variety of methods to enhance style, content, and voice. Attention is given to the methods of aesthetic evaluation and the process of revision. Lectures also focus on current standards for query letters and other submission procedures as well as meeting contemporary publication standards.   Demonstration: Models of modern and contemporary novels from various genres (literary classics, historical fiction, detective fiction, romance, science fiction, and others) are demonstrated using a variety of methods: books, handouts, overheads, videos, DVDs.    Discussion: Students engage in regular discussions on reading and writing assignments, workshop group writing assignments, and topics (social, political, cultural, etc.) introduced in class.   Technology: Students use the Internet to engage in research on their topics and to access information about major writers.   Video Presentation: Students view relevant videos of major authors reading and discussing their work.   Collaborative Learning: Partners and groups engage in a large amount of discussion of each others written assignments and manuscripts.   Supplemental Learning: Students will attend live readings presented by visiting authors, when available, to model and assess the oral presentation, and to meet with and talk to the professional writers.   Conferencing: Instructor will be available for consultation throughout the semester.

Reading Assignments

Reading: 45 hours (3 hr/week) Students interpret and evaluate substantial amounts of literature, including classic, modern and contemporary novels from various genres, and they review and discuss journal articles, critical essays, and books about fiction. Students then discuss the literatures relative success according to the application of standards set by class research and discussion. Students demonstrate mastery-level skills in their ability to apply these critical standards to contemporary novels. Students must also read and critique their colleagues manuscripts each week, in seminar fashion, according to specific protocols, which requires them to analyze, criticize, and assess one anothers manuscripts according to advanced understanding of narrative techniques such as point of view, authorial voice, texture, sensory detail, plot, character, dialogue, time compression, scene, panorama, and movement. Critical thinking is involved in determining technical solutions to problems in the in-progress manuscripts. Additionally, students read selected novels and/or novel excerpts for structural and technical analysis.

Writing Assignments

PLEASE NOTE: Writing assignments are prepared outside of class.  Writing: 90 hours (roughly 6 hrs/week) Students write a substantial amount of fiction, at least 100 pages of extended narrative over the semester. In addition, they write weekly 250-word critiques analyzing their own work and others work according to advanced narrative strategies and techniques. Students may keep journals on the process of writing and on observations that may be included in their creative work. Students demonstrate expertise in long-manuscript writing strategies such as weekly, monthly, and semester page count goals and revision targets. For advanced novel writers, the portfolio consists of 100 pages of draft and revised narrative, exhibiting mastery-level skills in the strategies and techniques of the long narrative. Students compile a novel-length submission package that meets contemporary publication standards.

Out-of-class Assignments

144 hours (roughly 9 hours/week) Reading: 45 hours (3 hr/week); Writing: 90 hours (roughly 6 hrs/week); Research, as appropriate: 10 hrs (1-2 hours/week) Students will write a substantial amount of fiction outside of class, at least 100 pages of extended narrative over the course of the semester. In addition, they will write weekly 250-word critiques analyzing their own work and others work, demonstrating advanced knowledge of narrative strategies and techniques. Students will partake in visiting writer activities, attending talks and readings by professional writers, and participating in question-and-answer sessions with these professionals. Students will engage in research into markets and representation in anticipation of submitting their completed novels for publication.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Analysis of ones own writing, including creating and revising large portions of the manuscript, is evaluated in terms of the students ability to critique using specific elements of the novel such as point of view, authorial voice, texture, sensory detail, plot, character, dialogue, time compression, scene, panorama, and movement.   Students may also be evaluated on their presentation of oral critiques during workshop discussion. Criteria are clarity, knowledge of studied material, attention to the manuscript being discussed, and utility of the critique.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Substantial writing, including creating and critiquing at least 100 pages of the manuscript, is evaluated in terms of the students ability to demonstrate mastery-level skills in completing writing exercises that are timely, grammatically correct, and relevant to the assignment and that incorporate the specific elements of the novel discussed in class, such as point of view, authorial voice, texture, sensory detail, plot, character, dialogue, time compression, scene, panorama, and movement.   Written responses to published literature are evaluated on the basis of completion, levels of analysis, and summary. Weekly written critiques are evaluated by peers and by the instructor on the basis of technical accuracy and utility of the critiques to the writer(s) receiving them.   Skill Demonstration: Students are evaluated on their class performance, their adherence to deadlines and their manuscript preparation and presentation. They are also evaluated on the level of their critiques and comments during group discussions and their analysis of their own work and the work of others.   Portfolio Review: Students are evaluated on a final portfolio of their best revision of their manuscript on the basis of timely submission, clarity of presentation, technical merit, and adherence to contemporary publication standards.

Eligible Disciplines

English: Masters degree in English, literature, comparative literature, or composition OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in linguistics, TESL, speech, education with a specialization in reading, creative writing, or journalism OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Editors, Writers Digest. The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 2nd ed. Writers Digest, 2010 2. Required Allen, Moira. The Writers Guide to Queries, Pitches, and Proposals, ed. Writers Digest Books, 2001 Rationale: This is one of the definitive guides to formatting the essential components for sending out manuscripts for publication. While a more current resource may be necessary for addressing specific markets, these elements may be found in online resources.

Other Resources

1. AWP Chronicles, a bi-monthly journal of creative writing activities. Additional novels in genres specific to the students manuscript project.