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275 North Lexington Pky
Saint Paul, MN 55104
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Course Overview

You must keep a writing notebook throughout this course as well as a reading response notebook. One is for your own writing; the other is for the analysis of other people’s writing. There will be many assignments in this course so you must be organized and disciplined in your work habits.
Additionally, you need to register for the wiki: creativewritingquest.wikispaces.com

1. Week One-Five: Memoir
Readings: Selections from:
“My Mother’s Blue Bowl” Alice Walker
“How to Tell a True War Story” Tim O’Brien
excerpt from The Names: A Memoir N. Scott Momaday
excerpt from Leaning Into the Wind: A Memoir of Midwest Weather Susan Allen Toth
excerpt from Colors of the Mountain Da Chen
excerpt from Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance Barack Obama
excerpt from The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother James McBride
Various essays on memoirs

Writing Assignments:
Choose one memoir to study and read independently, keep a reading reaction notebook throughout the reading of it, and write an analysis of it. Specific details will be given at a later date.Write a memoir.

2. Week Six-Ten: Poetry
Readings: Selections from:
“If I Could Tell You” W. H. Auden
“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” Dylan Thomas
“Sestina” Elizabeth Bishop
“Blackberry Picking” Seamus Heaney
“It’s a Woman’s World” Eavan Boland
“anyone lived in a pretty how town” e. e. cummings
various essays on poetry

Writing Assignments:

  • Three short essays (2 pages) based on your personal research of THREE poets’ visions of poetry. These essays may be developed from reading about poets, from videotaped interviews, or from personal interviews with, for example, a local published poet. These must include reference to what the poet himself/herself says and examples of his/her poetry. You should also include personal comment on your agreement or disagreement with each poet’s philosophy about poetry. Include Works Cited page for each essay.
    • One poet must be from before the 20th Century.
    • Diversify your choices.
    • Not life of poet…you may need to research this to understand the poet’s philosophy of poetry, but it should not be the focus.

  • One longer essay (4-5 pages) in which you explain your own newly developed vision/philosophy of poetry. Include references to those specific learning experiences that helped you to develop this vision, both over the next several weeks and other life experiences outside this unit that have contributed to your personal philosophy on poetry.

  • A collection of favorite poems that you feel illustrates your poetic philosophy. It should include a minimum of four poems from several different poets, a short analysis of each poem, and your personal comments on why you chose each of these poems.

  • Your own poetry. This may be a series of short poems, three longer poems or a book of poetry ready for publication.

    • 3. Week Eleven-Fifteen: Fiction
    Readings: Selections from:
    “The Overcoat” Nikolai Gogol
    “The Story of an Hour” Kate Chopin
    “A Rose for Emily” William Faulkner
    “Roman Fever” Edith Wharton
    “Hills Like White Elephants” Ernest Hemingway
    “The Catbird Seat” James Thurber
    “The Hunger Artist” Franz Kafka
    various essays on fiction

    Writing Assignments:
    TBA

    4. Week Sixteen-Eighteen: Final Project

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    Please eMail questions or comments regarding website management to: brian.reinhardt@spps.org -  any other questions should directed to the main iffice number, (651) 744-4900
    St. Paul Public School System, District #625