Creative Writing Class Portfolio Etc.

Creative Writing:

As we move forward in this class, we’ll need to consider what work you will be doing as the semester progresses. I’m envisioning this process in the following way:

1) Creative Writing: This will be the imaginative writing you do inside and outside class and will be divided into two main branches --

a. Assigned creative writing exercises – this will include all the writing exercises we do in class or as homework, such as the dream writing you did last week;

b. Your own creative work. This is your work, which will be presented in a portfolio at the end of the semester. The portfolio must include the following examples of your work (see portfolio posting for the exact requirement of this aspect of the course):

i. Non-fiction personal narrative or reflection
ii. Short Fiction
iii. Poetry

2) Literary Response Essay and English Regents: This will involve honing your skills in writing tightly organized responses on theme, character, other important literary elements in response to works of literature. Key words in this domain will include: thesis statement, topic sentences, body paragraphs, use of supporting evidence from text.

3) Reading: this area of study will focus on continuing to read compelling but challenging works of literature. I’ll give the class a menu of possible directions for spheres of study. Choice will not be unlimited, and you will need to enlist at least a small group of students in your class to pursue one of the tracks. Here are three possible areas for further reading:

a.The Mary Shelley/Gothic Lit Track: Students in this group will have an opportunity to read Mary Shelley’s remarkable later novel, The Last Man,and another famous example of the gothic, The Monk by Mathew Lewis
Here’s a description of the Mary Shelley’s novel:

“This novel follows Frankenstein as one of the earliest examples of science fiction in English. It also presents characters who can be seen, in some of their aspects, to resemble certain members of the Shelley circle. The narrative begins in the late 21st century in an England which has become a republic, focusing at first on the conflicting worlds of the domestic and political. But as the plague takes hold and spreads relentlessly, the novel's view expands to encompass Europe and the world scene. Dark, even existential in its mood, The Last Man shows the demise of the human race highlighted against its greatest achievement as the ever decreasing band of survivors make their way across the Alps to the warm cities of the South.”

Here a plot description of The Monk followed by two excerpts from reviews:

“Set in the sinister monastery of the Capuchins in Madrid, The Monk is a violent tale of ambition, murder, and incest. The great struggle between maintaining monastic vows and fulfilling personal ambitions leads its main character, the monk Ambrosio, to temptation and the breaking of his vows, then to sexual obsession and rape, and finally to murder in order to conceal his guilt.

`This is the highly popular and equally highly vilified Gothic novel, written in 1794. Gruesome, voluptuous, and occasionally tongue-in-cheek, The Monk is a masterpiece of its genre.' Sunday Telegraph

`What distinguishes The Monk from a whole raft of lesser imitations is the quality of the storytelling ... There's always a danger of bathos in narratives where horror is piled on horror ... Lewis avoids that pitfall by judicious use of humour. He also writes with great visual immediacy. Lewis has a remarkable understanding of human psychology. The Monk is a stunning read. It was published 200 years ago. I hope this article is not the only celebration of that bicentenary.' Simon Brett, The Sunday Times.”

b. The Dickens track: For those less interested in Gothic literature, the chance to read Dickens’ great novel, David Copperfield, is offered. This is a deeply autobiographical novel about Dickens early life. It examines the effect of brutal parenting, poverty, and deep injustices on a child, and then goes on to depict a society in which social class and money dominate all things. It is one of the great world novels, and is filled with powerful scenes. For those interested in vocabulary development this novel offers perhaps the best chance for further development. Because the novel is longer than the others, readers of this novel will receive bonus credit for selecting it.

c. The Count of Monte Cristo track: For those with a taste for adventure writing, Alexander Dumas’ masterpiece makes powerful reading:
From a slightly edited Amazon review: “Monte Cristo is an absolutely wonderful and wonderfully written masterpiece that tells the story of a young man who could be any of several people that you and I know. It is a story of injustice, despair, remorse, cruelty, misfortune, and evil. Edmond is one of the greatest dynamic characters of all time, innocently sent to face punishment that he in no way deserves. After escaping from prison, Edmond then becomes an avenger, rewarding those that were his true friends, and exacting revenge upon those that caused him pain. A wonderful story, with excellent characters and an intricate plot.”