Week 16 Agenda [Tentative]

Friday, May 10th

• FINAL PORTFOLIO DUE BY MIDNIGHT

Week 15 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, April 30th

• WRITING/REVISION DAY [NO CLASS]
• Homework
• Continue revising/preparing your Final Portfolio

Thursday, May 2nd

• UTRGV STUDY DAY [NO CLASS]
• Homework
• Continue revising/preparing your Final Portfolio
• Malinalli@Jeffers Theatre, 7-10pm

Week 14 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, April 23rd

• Discussion Leader: Spiro Zagouris
• Poems by Joaquin Castillo (Guest Poet)
• Homework
• Inside your Google Drive shared folder, create/name a new file like this: Poetry-YourFullName
• Compose a series of POEMS (Free Verse or Form) 
• No more/less than 3-5 pages total
• Your poetry should:
• be single-spaced
• include a title for each poem
• illustrate an understanding of the following elements (pgs. 19-20):
• Lines & Stanzas
• Meter & Rhythm
• The "Music" of Poetry
• Imagery & Figurative Language
• Diction & Syntax
• Forms (if you choose to write poetry in a specific form)
• Mystery & Discovery (we discussed this in class)
• print/bring three (3) copies of your poetry to class on Thursday, 4/25 for Workshop #7

Thursday, April 25th

• Workshop #7 and Breakfast Potluck
• Homework
• Return to Google Drive and revise your poetry
• REVISED poetry due with your Final Portfolio
• Continue revising/preparing your Final Portfolio

RR#19: Poems by Joaquin Castillo

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

RR#18: Poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, & Nurske

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 13 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, April 16th

• Class Cancelled
• Homework
• Pick two (2) prompts from the following website and compose two (2) FREE VERSE poems: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/poetry-prompts
• your two poems should fit on one page
• each poem should include its own original title
• print/bring two (2) copies of your poems to class on Thursday
• read Poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, & Nurske (71-84)
• post RR#18 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 4/17

Thursday, April 18th

• Discuss Final Classes and Breakfast Potluck
• Distribute Poems by Joaquin Castillo
• Class Activity: Share Free Verse Poetry
• Discussion Leader: Rita Salazar Lara
• Starkey, pgs. 14-54
• Discussion Leader: Leonardo Torres
• Poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, & Nurske
• Homework
• Pick two (2) new prompts from the following website and compose two (2) new FORM or FREE VERSE poems: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/poetry-prompts
• your two poems should fit on no more than 3 pages
• each poem should include its own original title
• print/bring two (2) copies of your poems to class on Tuesday
• read Poems by Joaquin Castillo (passed out in class)
• post RR#19 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 4/22

RR#17: Starkey, pgs. 14-54

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 12 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, April 9th

• Workshop #5: Dramatic Scene
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your dramatic scene
• print/bring three (3) copies of your REVISED dramatic scene to class on Thursday for Workshop #6

Thursday, April 11th

• Workshop #6: Dramatic Scene
• Homework
• Return to Google Drive and revise your dramatic scene
• REVISED dramatic scene due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Friday, 4/12
• read/bring Starkey, pgs. 14-54
• post Reading Response #17 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 4/15

RR#16: "Grave Brew"

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 11 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, April 2nd

• On Final Portfolio & Reflective Essay
• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leader: Karla Olvera
• Bone China
• Homework
• Rewrite your dialogue. Your new draft should:
• explore one (1) THEME of your choice (ex. love, sexuality, death, politics, family, gender roles, race, technology, etc.); use Starkey, pgs. 280-284 as reference
• not exceed 5 pages.
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Thursday
• read Grave Brew (passed out in class)
• post RR#16 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 4/3

Thursday, April 4th

• On Publishing & Creative Writing Certificate
• Share Writing Assignments
• Performance of Grave Brew
• Discussion Leaders: Cassandra Ramos
• Grave Brew
• Homework
• Inside your Google Drive shared folder, create/name a new file like this: Drama-YourFullName
• using the STAGE PLAY SCRIPT FORMAT, compose a dramatic scene between two characters. Your scene should include:
• an ORIGINAL TITLE
• a clear CONFLICT between the two characters
• at least one OBJECT or SOUND that impacts the characters directly
• a believable SETTING
• the exploration of at least one THEME (280-84)
• Your scene should not exceed 5 pages.
• print/bring three (3) copies of your scene to class on Tuesday for Workshop #5

RR#15: "Bone China"

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

RR#14: "Love on the B-Line"

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 10 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, March 26th

• CLASS CANCELLED
• Homework
• read Love on the B-Line (316-322)
• post RR#14 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 3/27

Thursday, March 28th

• Share Writing Assignments
• Discussion Leaders: Carina Pompa & Maria Ramirez Montoya
• Now We're Really Getting Somewhere
• Love on the B-Line
• Homework
• Rewrite your dialogue. Your new draft should:
• include one (1) OBJECT or SOUND that impacts your two characters directly
• not exceed 4 pages.
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Tuesday for in-class activity
• read Bone China (322-328)
• post RR#15 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 4/1

RR#13: "Now We’re Really Getting Somewhere"

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

RR#12: "Trash Anthem"

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 9 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, March 19th

• Discussion Leaders: Makaela Moseley
• Starkey, pgs. 233-284
• Homework
• Study the STAGE PLAY SCRIPT FORMAT and be prepared to discuss this on Thursday
• read Trash Anthem (305-309)
• post RR#12 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 3/20

Thursday, October 21st

• Discussion Leaders: Rebecca Muniz
• Trash Anthem
• Homework
• using the STAGE PLAY SCRIPT FORMAT, compose a 3-page DIALOGUE where two characters desire something from each other
• print/bring two (2) copies of your dialogue to class on Tuesday for class activity
• read Now We’re Really Getting Somewhere (310-316)
• post RR#13 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 3/25

RR#11: Starkey, pgs. 233-284

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 8 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, March 5th

• Workshop #3: Short Short Fiction
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your short story draft
• print/bring three (3) copies of your REVISED short story draft to class on Thursday for Workshop #4

Thursday, March 7th

• Workshop #4: Short Short Fiction
• Homework
• Return to Google Drive and revise your short story draft
• REVISED short story due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Friday, 3/8
• read/bring Starkey, pgs. 233-284
• post RR#11 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 3/18
• Have a safe and restful Spring Break!

Week 7 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, February 26th

• Angela Milan: “Wolf’s Head Lake” and “Recuerdo”
• Homework
• Compose Writing Assignment #2 in your Google Drive shared folder:
• Inside your Google Drive shared folder, create/name a new file like this: Fiction-YourFullName
• compose a short-short story (600-800 words; no more than 3 double-spaced pages total) that involves the characters you created during Week 5
• provide a TITLE for your short story
• use all previous readings and class notes as reference
• Be sure to format your paper correctly by following MLA guidelines; click HERE for a sample paper
• print/bring three (3) copies of your short story draft to class on Tuesday, 3/5 for Workshop #3
• Prepare for our FESTIBA Reading

Thursday, February 28th

• FESTIBA: ENGL 3351 CREATIVE WRITING SHOWCASE

RR#10: “Wolf’s Head Lake” and “Recuerdo”

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

RR#9: “Doves,” “Symphony,” and “Girl”

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 6 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, February 19th

• Paulina Longoria: “A Kind of Flying,” “Popular Mechanics,” and “Reunion”
• Homework
• re-write your short short story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 300 words
• include the new complication received in class
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Thursday for class activity
• print/read/bring the following for discussion on Thursday:
• “Doves,” “Symphony,” and “Girl” (158-164)
• post RR#9 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday

Thursday, February 21st

• Arianna Martinez: “Doves,” “Symphony,” and “Girl”
• Homework
• re-write your short short story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 500 words
• include the new complication received in class
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Tuesday for class activity
• print/read/bring the following to class for discussion on Tuesday:
• “Wolf’s Head Lake” and “Recuerdo” (164-169)
• post RR#10 on our course blog by midnight on Monday

RR#8: “A Kind of Flying,” “Popular Mechanics,” and “Reunion”

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

RR#7: “An Angel,” “Loser,” and “The Hit Man”

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 5 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, February 12th

• Eduardo Guerra: Starkey, pgs. 98-141
• Homework
• use the CHARACTER SHEET to continue creating your character
• compose a 100-word fictional narrative that: 1) includes the character you created and 2) the complication received in class
• print/bring two (2) copies of your narrative to class on Thursday for class activity
• print/read/bring the following for discussion on Thursday:
• “An Angel,” “Loser,” and “The Hit Man” (145-152)
• post RR#7 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday

Thursday, February 14th

• Claudia Hinojosa: “An Angel,” “Loser,” and “The Hit Man”
• Homework
• re-write your short short story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 200 words
• include the new complication received in class
• include one (1) additional character; use the CHARACTER SHEET, if desired
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Tuesday for class activity
• print/read/bring the following to class for discussion on Tuesday:
• “A Kind of Flying,” “Popular Mechanics,” and “Reunion” (152-158)
• post RR#8 on our course blog by midnight on Monday

RR#6: Starkey, pgs. 98-141

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 4 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, February 5th

• Workshop #1: Short Creative Nonfiction
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your essay draft
• print/bring three (3) copies of your REVISED essay draft to class on Thursday for Workshop #2

Thursday, February 7th

• Workshop #2: Short Creative Nonfiction
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your essay draft
• REVISED essay due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Friday, 2/8
• read/bring Starkey, pgs. 98-141
• post Reading Response #6 on our course blog by midnight on Monday

RR#5: “The Witching Hour,” “Late July, 4:40 a.m.,” and “Dreads”

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 3 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, January 29th

• Hubel Gonzalez: “In Bed,” “In the Dark,” and “El Toro Rojo” (220-226)
• Writing Activity: Photographs
• Homework
• bring photograph AND writing activity to class for workshop preview on Thursday
• print/read/bring the following for discussion on Thursday:
• “The Witching Hour,” “Late July, 4:40 a.m.,” and “Dreads” (227-232)
• post RR#5 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday

Thursday, January 31st

• Daniel Acosta & Jesus Gonzalez: “The Witching Hour,” “Late July, 4:40 a.m.,” and “Dreads” (227-232)
• Workshop Preview
• Homework
• Compose Writing Assignment #1 in your Google Drive shared folder:
• in your GD shared folder, create/name a file like this: Nonfiction-YourFullName
• compose a personal narrative (600-800 words; no more than 3 double-spaced pages total) that details an important moment in your life.
• provide a TITLE for your narrative
• use all previous readings and class notes as reference
• Be sure to format your paper correctly by following MLA guidelines; click HERE for a sample paper
• print/bring three (3) copies of your short nonfiction essay to class on Tuesday, 2/5 for Workshop #1

RR#4: “In Bed,” “In the Dark,” and “El Toro Rojo”

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

RR#3: “The Mute Sense,” “My Papa’s Waltz,” and “Westbury Court”

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.

Week 2 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, January 22nd

• CLASS CANCELLED
• Homework
• print/read/bring the following for discussion on Thursday:
• “The Mute Sense,” “My Papa’s Waltz,” and “Westbury Court” (214-220)
• post RR#3 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday
• For Thursday, bring a photograph that includes you and one family member

Thursday, January 24th

• Hannah Daniel: “The Mute Sense,” “My Papa’s Waltz,” and “Westbury Court” (214-220)
• Homework
• print/read/bring the following to class for discussion on Tuesday:
• “In Bed,” “In the Dark,” and “El Toro Rojo,” “ (220-226)
• post RR#4 on our course blog by midnight on Monday
• For Tuesday, bring a photograph that includes you and most of your family

RR#2: Starkey, pgs. 170-209

Post your response to the assigned readings below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due by midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, no exceptions.