ENGL141 - Writing to Be Read

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Academic Year 2002/2003

Writing to Be Read
ENGL 141 SP

The effect of any piece of writing is achieved by the careful selection and arrangement of words on the page, and each word matters. Too often, writers focus on the dramatic stories or large themes they're trying to convey, to the neglect of the words they choose and the manner in which they use them. These are matters of craft--everything from spelling and grammar to sound and rhythm and structure and sense. The point of writing is to immerse the reader in your written world, and craft is the way you do that, word by word, sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph. This seminar is designed to help you hone your craft by rigorously editing your own work and that of others. It is open to writers of fiction, memoir, and essays, and the aim is to turn a work-in-progress into a story or essay that you will submit for publication, or, in the case of a novel, to a literary agent.

MAJOR READINGS

John Gardner, THE ART OF FICTION
Ursula K. Le Guin, STEERING THE CRAFT

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two student pieces will be "workshopped" for the first two hours of every class; each student is responsible for reading and editing those two peices each week. The third class hour will be devoted to discussion of the readings and occasional writing exercises. Students will also research possible publication outlets (or agents) for their work, and will write a cover letter to accompany their submissions.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Enrollment is limited to 12. To apply for admission, send a writing sample of 3,500 to 5,000 words to Sheila Kelleher, c/o English Department, Wesleyan University, 285 Court Street, Middletown, CT 06457, or drop the sample off by hand at the English Department. The deadline is 4:00 p.m., January 8.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

The instructor of this course will not be using the on-line wait list. If you are interested in this course, please contact the instructor directly.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ENGL Grading Mode: Student Option

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Johannessen,Joy

Times: ...W... 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: CRT271

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 12)

SR. major: Jr. major:

SR. non-major: Jr. non-major: SO: FR:

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Writing

Permission: Permission of Instructor Required

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-18-2003