Do I Dare?

Creative Writing

ENGL 3850 – Studies in creative writing - To be offered 2008 -2009
The course provides students with practical knowledge of different genres of literature and extends their creative writing skills and their ability to respond to literary works.

NOTE: C- (60%) or higher in ENGL 1000 is a prerequisite for all upper year English courses. In addition, admission to Creative Writing courses requires submission and review of a portfolio of student's writing.

Admission procedures
Students are chosen for admission to creative writing courses by review of portfolios of their writing. As with all senior English courses, applicants must have completed English 1000 with a grade of C- (60%) or higher. Students seeking admission must also submit a portfolio of 8 – 10 pages of creative writing (that is, not academic essays), including at least one item in both draft and revised form. The revision should be substantial; that is, it should include some rephrasing and possibly restructuring of the original draft. All the revisions should be clearly indicated, either in Track Changes or by hand (for instance, with words crossed out and/or rewording inserted) on the printed page. The work submitted may be in any literary genre or genres (not limited to the four genres being studied in the course), and should demonstrate the range of creative abilities and interests of the applicant.

Applicants must also provide a covering letter for the portfolio in which they describe the kind of writing they have been doing, how long they have been writing, their reading experience and preferences, and what they hope to accomplish through this course. They should make sure they include in the covering letter an email address and/or telephone number at which they can be reached after the end of term. Late and incomplete submissions will not be considered.

The portfolio and covering letter must be submitted before 4:00 pm on Friday May 23, 2008, in hard copy to the English Department Office (Wallis Hall 134), addressed to Paulette Nichols, Traill College, Trent University. Electronic submissions will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified if they have been accepted into the course by May 30, so they can register online. Students should not put their names on the course waitlist unless they have been accepted into the course.

ENGL 4850/4851H - Advance Seminar in Creative Writing- To be offered in 2009-2010

Perquisite: 4 credits in English, including ENGL 2000 (205); a cumulative average of B- (70%) or higher in all courses taken. In addition, students submit a portfolio of their work. Excludes ENGL 375. Students may take only one of ENGL 4850 or 4851H for credit.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Help??