for Mon 11/2

1. Portfolio Due (include your strongest work from the poetry and fiction writing exercises, and then other work if you like; you should have more poetry than fiction). Include your list of Terms with the portfolio; see Terms file attached in myemich: the highlighted terms are the ones you should have definitions/examples for and include with the portfolio.

2. Goldberg Chapters listed on syllabus; bring your book, I will be checking and giving credit to those who have their books.

3. Email me one of your fiction pieces that you would like feedback on, esp. if you want to revise it for the portfolio.

4. Toscano: Rodrigo Toscano will be reading on Mon., 11/9 at 6:30. Look at his work on the following web sites and PRINT and READ the designated poems. We'll be listening to some of the work in class and talking about sound and performance, and the relationship between the written text and the performed text.

Web Sites: EPC : under Multi-Vocalic Poems, PRINT AND READ "Eco-Strato-Static"; READ "Balm to Bilk"
Also, read paragraphs 1-13 of the article on Toscano in: Jacket 38

**Also, I would again like to remind you all that both attendance and participation are part of your final grade (120 points of the total are for attendance AND participation); absences and lack of preparation for, and participation in class will result in reduced points and will affect your final grade. Reading, writing, participating, and attending are crucial to your success in this class.

Bhanu Kapil's Blog: http://jackkerouacispunjabi.blogspot.com/

assignments for Mon 10/26

1. The Kapil book Incubation is available at Ned's. Read this and bring 2-3 points of interest that you can share with the class; be specific and be prepared to discuss your points.

2. Go back and look at the Field story A I; we'll start class by talking about this story in terms of its form and structure, language, character, and plot.

3. Type up one page from the fiction postcard exercise we did in class; the story doesn't have to be finished; turn in what you can.

4. This week's terms: connotative, irony, paradox, form, genre, style, narrative and story, plot, point of view; type up a short definition and give an example (from something we've read or discussed if you can); I'll collect your list of terms so-far completed with the midterm portfolio.


Also, please note that the Kapil reading is on Tue 11/3; info is on the syllabus; you should plan to attend.

for Mon 10/19

1. Read the stories by Evanson and Field (Proulx is optional); print and bring these to class; type up 2-3 paragraphs that explain (specifically) 1-2 points of interest for each story and post this on the blog.

2. Read the Goldberg chapters listed on the syllabus and the Burroway (pdf posted on myemich)

3. Do the fiction writing exercise from the Burroway packet: p74, #4; use this as a starting point for a potential piece of fiction writing. First do some freewriting in which you list as many concretete and sensory details and etc. Next, think about using these details to write a story in which you have a character or two, in a place/space where something happens (it can be anything subtle or grand). Turn in one typed page on Monday.

4. The Midterm Portfolio Assignment sheet is also now posted on myemich, under files.

quick reference page for rhythm, meter, and feet in poetry

http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/88/meter.html

for Mon 10/12

1. Define and give an example for the terms: rhythm, foot, meter, rhyme from the terms handout.

2. Bring 3-4 typed poems to exchange and workshop in class. Also, remember to hold on to the drafts of poems so that you can include both early drafts and final revised poems in the portfolio that will be due in a few weeks.

3. Read the fiction packet #1 (short short fiction) and the Burroway on writing fiction (print this and start reading through what you can; we’ll talk about it over the next few classes).

4. Writing exercise: write a poem “about” or inspired by an abstract term (such as excitement, happiness, peace, truth, beautiful, anxiety). You cannot use this term anywhere in the poem. You should use images, concrete and sensory details, metaphor and simile instead of abstractions.

Please remember that attendance and participation make up part of your grade. If you are missing class or leaving early on a regular basis this will affect your grade. Additionally, when you are absent you miss assignments and discussion that help you to do the assignments and work for the class.

for Mon 10/5

Find the list of terms that is attached to the syllabus. The assignment for the terms is to define and give an example for each of the following, from the list: hyperbole, syntax, metaphor, simile, lyric, stanza. We'll be discussing and defining this list over the course of the semester.

Also, the writing exercise we did in class was from a handout. I will be in my office before class, or can distribute the handout in class if you missed it, and then you can at least write a poem, from the exercise, to include in the midterm portfolio.

This week we will be discussing Roberson's City Eclogue, and you should post 3 things on your blog that interest you about the book. Read all of it if you can, but specifically focus on some sections or pieces that are interesting to you.