Introductory Workshops in Creative Writing Spring 2020: Phase 3 Writing Prompt

Perfecting the Craft

As the semester comes to an end, you would have completed a few things: two completed short stories, a few free writes, and/or a memoir. Phase 3 however, will be more focused on the idea of revision or more specifically, the archaization of the self. For your final assignment, you will be required to complete three tasks.

One: you will continue to revise eitheryour phase 1 or phase 2 assignment, using the feedback you’ve either received from workshop or from our in-class writing prompts. You will then be required to post a finalized version online. *Remember though, that a revision of a piece doesn’t necessarily mean fine-tuning your work drastically. (It could be as simple as adding dialogue, delving more into the narrative aspect of your piece, or even including more in scene images. Always keep in mind that you are the author and although it is important to keep in mind other’s criticisms and suggestions—you ultimately know how the story will end and the routes needed to take to get there. Just don’t cut corners!)

Two: your second task is to create a visual representation of yourself or your own voice (again, how you view yourself as a writer and not how others may see you) using the blue books that will be handed out during class. The book itself will be a compilation of everything you’ve worked on for this class and should include either a few of your free writes, poetry, notes, excerpts from your pieces, comments, or maybe even a few samples of your revisions—whatever you choose. The theme itself is completely up to you. So how you choose to decorate it or what you prefer to include is totally up to you. Think of it as a scrapbook, meaning there should be NO BLANK PAGES. Every page in the blue book must be covered completely.    

Three: for your third task, you will be required to do a ten-minute presentation explaining the theme depicted in your blue book. Just tell us: what’s going on here? What was the theme you were aiming for? Why did you include the examples that you did and, so on? Another helpful suggestion maybe reading an excerpt from any of your pieces, whether it would be from a free write or from your assignment. You don’t have to read the entirety of your story, just pick an except—maybe a paragraph or two. Then tell us why you chose it or why this passage was significant to you.

Have fun with it! This is a great way to delve deeper into your creative side and try not to think of the presentation as something extremely formal. Be comfortable and confident. Practice makes perfect and this is a great way to see your work travel off the page.

General requirements

• Your revision of either your phase 1 or phase 2 assignment must be posted on BB (following the previous format requirements: double-spaced, 12-point font, times new roman, with the appropriate heading and title)
• A completed blue book (with no blank pages) will be handed in, in class after your presentation. Please write your name somewhere visible!
• Ten-minute presentation discussing the theme of your blue book

Pertinent Information and Dates   This piece is worth 25% of your course grade.The final version of your blue book is due on Tuesday, May 5th depending on your presentation dateA final version of your revision is due on Thursday, May 14th on BB.