Document Type
Syllabus
Publication Date
Fall 9-1-2024
Course Description
Our goal in “Form & Genre” is to strengthen our skills in close reading of fiction and poetry through the lens of creative writers. How shall our approach in literary analysis differ from how we read literature if we were in an English literature class? Reading as writers allows us to pay greater attention to the art and craft of say, a poem, as well the time and space in which that particular poem emerged. The study of literary art allows us to make large statements about the human condition and the roles we play as witness and observer. As writers and poets invested in developing our skills, we will look at literature for inspiration and models in addition to providing us with the necessary tools to interpret the world around us. I believe that talking and writing about poets and writers for this course will deepen our understanding and experience of the way artists approach their craft. One way of thinking about craft is for us to talk about techniques employed by writers. Poet and fiction writer Charles Baxter puts it this way in his essay called “Rhyming Action”: “Technique must follow a vision, a view of experience. No technique can ever take precedence over vision. It must be its servant.” If technique follows a vision in fiction writing, then poetry is a way to hold knowing to account. In poetry, craft is an exchange of different knowledge systems. This may become clearer when we read Louise Glück’s poetry who challenges our expectations of lyric poetry. In a book of incisive essays, poet Cathy Park Hong interrogates what she once relegated as “minor feelings.” Can a poet’s minor feelings expose what another writer regard as our “emotional and national secrets”? As creative writers, your mission in this course is to interrogate your own writing process and make discoveries about the art and craft of writing from our readings.
Recommended Citation
Gloria, Eugene, "ENG 349A Form & Genre: Prose & Poetry Gloria Fall 2024" (2024). All Course Syllabi. 667, Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/records_syllabi/667
Student Outcomes
By the end of the semester, students will be able to: Understand literary forms and genres, with each section of this course focusing on two of the following: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting and screenwriting, identify the key elements of each genre, and understand how to use them effectively in their own writing. Analyze literary techniques and apply them in their own writing. Practice critical thinking and analytical skills by reading and analyzing a variety of literary texts, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of different writing styles and techniques, and applying this knowledge to their own writing. Prepare themselves for advanced creative writing seminars in individually chosen genres, with a strong understanding of the conventions and expectations of each genre. Engage with guest speakers, such as writers, editors, and publishers, who can provide insights into the field.