NORTHWEST INSTITUTE OF LITERARY ARTS
WHIDBEY WRITERS WORKSHOP
CATALOG, 2009-2011
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
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English 500: The Profession of Writing |
5 credits |
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An introduction to and extensive exploration of various aspects of writing as a profession, including but not limited to such topics as contracts, copyrights, agents, submissions, deadlines and marketing. Course is taken during residency periods and is completed over five residencies including the graduation residency. |
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English 520A, B, C, D, E: The Craft of Writing |
5 credits |
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A. Form and Technique in Fiction
Reading and discussion focusing on the theory and practice of fictional forms and techniques. Readings will include theory and fiction and will cover but not be limited to such topics as viewpoint, characters and characterization, style, plot, story, structure, setting and genre/sub-genre.
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B. Form and Technique in Poetry
Reading and discussion focusing on the theory and practice of poetry's forms and techniques. Readings will include theory and poetry and will cover but not be limited to such topics as meter, rhyme, line breaks, imagery, diction, genre and voice.
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C. Form and Technique in Nonfiction
Reading and discussion focusing on the theory and practice of nonfiction forms and techniques. Readings will include theory and nonfiction and will include but not be limited to such topics as viewpoint, structure, style and may include such areas as memoir, science, nature/environmental, travel, immersion reporting, history and literary non-fiction.
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D. Form and Technique in Writing for Children/Young Adults
Reading and discussion focusing on the theory and practice of forms and techniques in children's/YA literature. Reading will include literature and theory and will cover the various genres as well as formats, story telling devices, vocabulary, point of view and plot and topic considerations. Because of the range of material to be covered, English 520 D is divided into two sections offered in alternate semesters.
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D1. Writing Picture Books, Early Readers and Chapter Books
Introduction to the craft of writing picture books, early readers and chapter books for the younger reader in both fiction and non-fiction. Usually offered fall semester.
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D2. Writing Long Mid-Grade and Young Adult Novels
Introduction to the craft of writing older mid-grade and young adult novels in both fiction and non-fiction. Usually offered spring semester.
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E. Form and Technique in Scripts
Reading and discussion focusing on the theory and practice of script forms and techniques. Readings will include theory and scripts and will include but not be limited to such topics as scene and act structure, dialogue, characterization, plot, story and genre, including aspects of stage, screen, television and radio. Offered as enrollments allow.
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English 550: Directed Reading |
5 credits
Repeatable for 15 credits
total |
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The Directed Readings course will focus on a particular genre, period, theme, group of writers or other topic. Paper or papers required. Students may repeat this course up to a maximum of 15 credits.
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English 560: Special Topics |
5 credits
Repeatable with permission of Faculty Committee
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Not a regularly scheduled course, Special Topics is intended to allow students and faculty to design a course focused on a particular area of study within the fields
of writing and literature. A Special Topics course may be offered as an exploratory step in determining whether to add a similar course to the regular curriculum or as a single offering in response to student interest.
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English 580A, B, C, D, E:
Graduate Writing Workshop |
5 credits
Repeatable to 15 credits total
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A. Fiction
Group discussion of original student fiction, focusing on both content and technique. Expect to submit one substantial story, chapter or revision per credit and to provide substantial feedback to other work submitted to the workshop. Special sections may focus on writing for children.
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B. Poetry
Group discussion of original student poetry, focusing on both content and technique. Expect to submit one poem or substantial revision each week and to provide substantial feedback to other work submitted to the workshop. Special sections may focus on a particular type of poetry such as poetry for children, narrative poetry, etc
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C. Nonfiction
Group discussion of original student nonfiction, focusing on both content and technique. Expect to submit one substantial short piece, chapter or revision per credit and to provide substantial feedback to other work submitted to the workshop. May focus on a particular kind of non-fiction such as nature writing, memoir, writing for children, etc.
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D. Writing for Children/Young Adults
Group discussion of original student work designed specifically for children/YA,
focusing on both content and technique. Expect to submit one substantial prose piece (chapter, short story or short book for younger children) or several poems per
credit and to provide substantial feedback to other work submitted to the workshop.
May focus on a particular kind of children/YA writing, such as picture books,
chapter books, poetry or other.
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E. Script
Group discussion of original student scripts, focusing on both content and technique. Formats may include stage, screen, television or radio. Expect to submit one substantial short script (one-act play, 30-minute television or radio script, etc.), portion or act of a longer script, or revision per credit and to provide substantial feedback to other work submitted to the workshop. May focus on a particular kind of script such as writing scripts for children or for documentaries. Offered as enrollment allows.
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English 599: Thesis |
15 credits
Pre-requisite: ten credits in English 580
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The student will work closely with a single faculty member to develop a polished, book-length manuscript of publishable quality in fiction, poetry, non-fiction, script(s), or children's literature. The thesis manuscript is the culmination of the student's professional development. It may include revised material originally presented in workshops as well as new material. Students will register for 5, 10 or 15 credits in the thesis course at the beginning of a fall or spring term; credit will be awarded when a polished, professional, publishable manuscript is delivered to the supervising faculty member and approved by the thesis director and second reader. Often a thesis manuscript requires more than one term for preparation; in such cases, the credit hours will be held open as continuing until the thesis manuscript is completed, at which point the 15 credits will be awarded. Student will present a public reading from the thesis manuscript at the residency following completion and acceptance of the thesis manuscript. |
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English 599TC: Thesis Continuation |
1 credit
Repeatable as necessary
Pre-requisite: fifteen credits in English 599
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When a student has completed fifteen credits of English 599: Thesis but has not
completed the thesis, that student must sign up for English 599TC during each
semester during which thesis work continues. Students are required to complete the
program within six years from the date of initially enrolling. |
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English 600: Methods of Teaching Creative Writing |
5 credits
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This post-graduate course is recommended for those who hope to teach creative writing classes, whether for credit-granting institutions or in non-credit situations. It may be taken only after the program has been completed, in order to build on and apply the skills developed in workshops, craft classes and directed reading classes. The course will explore various approaches and attitudes toward the teaching of creative writing, from introductory through advanced levels, in both the traditional |
Contact MFA
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