English 2040 Imaginative writing
Meeting time: 7-10 p.m. Wednesday
Instructor: Dr. Joel Rudinger
Email: jruding @ bgnet.bgsu.edu
Course Description:
ENG 2040. (3). Exploration of the creative process through reading and practice in various genres of imaginative writing, such as poetry, fiction, and drama, but not limited to these. Emphasis on the means by which students find artistic form for expression. Open to all students. A web-enhanced course.
Texts:
Strunk. Elements of Style.
Delbanco, Nicholas. The Sincerest Form: Writing Fiction by Imitation.
Arp and Johnson. Perrine’s Sound and Sense, 12 ed.
Course Mission/Purpose:
The purpose of this course is to experiment with various types of writing, to explore personal creativity, and to develop a clear writing voice leading to a portfolio of assignments completed over the semester.
Writing:
Non-fiction: reading stories based on (but not restricted to) facts and reality. Discussion of selectivity and deliberate omission. Real events with a creative use of language.
Fiction: reading short stories based on imaginary time, place, character. This might include examples of contemporary short fiction and classic fairy tales to determine what makes each memorable. The use of experimental language falls into this category.
Poetry: fixed forms, poem sequences, experiments with language and structure, basics of musical language. The use of experimental language falls into this category.
Drama: reading one or two plays for their structure and character development, leading into writing a short one act play using a reader’s theater presentation.
Grading: The grading for this course is A, B, C, D, F. Grades will be derived from a midterm exam, a portfolio, class participation, and attendance.
Internet Use: Grades, announcements, assignments, syllabus material, are regularly posted on our course MyBGSU web page.
