Creative Writing: Non-Fiction/The Graphic Memoir

ENGL 2343.001/Fall 2010/Provencher

The English Department

The University of Texas at San Antonio

ENGL 2343.001

Creative Writing: Non-Fiction/The Graphic Memoir

Instructor: Nicole Provencher, MA

Office:MB 2.306E

Office Hours:3:30pm – 4:30pm

Telephone:210-323-6937

Email:

Class Times:Mondays 5:30 – 8:15pm

Classroom:HSS 3.02.38

“With any work worth its salt, you have to trust the author enough to take its measure. And if you apply too many preconceptions, you are not taking its measure. When you do enter into the book, the theme of what will last? What is ephemeral? What is timeless? What is passing? What scale does [the] event really have?”

- Art Spiegelman on his writing of In The Shadow of No Towers

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In the above quote, Art Spiegelman considers the “truth” evident in the writing of creative non-fiction, a genre that builds memory, experience, and personal events. He reflects on the message that we pass on to others when we craft our own stories and experiences into fiction and memoir. This course offers extensive work in the genre of creative non-fiction with special attention paid to the graphic memoir. Students will have the opportunity to read a variety of authors who engage in creative non-fiction as a way to share this “truth” and learn how transform our own “events” into creative forms through the production of our own non-fiction pieces, graphic or otherwise, through class discussion, workshop shop participation, and revision. This course will require engaged participation in class discussions, peer review, and in class writing activities. While prior experience with the graphic memoir or graphic literatures is not required, blending of text and image will be encouraged. Students who do not wish to “draw” and illustrate their own comics are invited to utilize picture images, collage, photographs, or and digital media. This course will require 25 pages of original writing.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Class Participation15%

Critique of Literary Event 5%

Critique Leader10%

Response Papers (7)10%

Peer Story Critiques10%

Short Story (10 pages)25%

Final Portfolio w/ Revised Work25%

REQUIRED COURSE TEXTS/MATERIALS

ENGL 2343.001/Fall 2010/Provencher

Bechdel, Alison. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic.

Katin, Miriam. We Are On Our Own: A Memoir.

Modan, Rutu. Exit Wounds.

Pekar, Harvey. The Quitter.

Satrapi, Marjane. The Complete Persepolis.

Spiegelman, Art. The Complete Maus: A Survivor’s Tale.

Thomas, Craig. Blankets.

Additional Readings/Articles to be distributed in class.
Please bring art materials of choice to class with you. These materials can include colored pencils, pastels, crayons, markers, picture clippings, copies of photographs, glue, and other materials as appropriate for this workshop. If you are unsure if materials are appropriate please ask me.

ENGL 2343.001/Fall 2010/Provencher

Additional Notes on Requirements:

Class Participation (15%)

Class participation includes, but is not limited to, daily writing prompts, group work, discussion, and critique of peer stories. Attendance is mandatory as is respect and civil interaction with classmates and the instructor.

Critique of Literary Event (5%)

A response paper will be required for one outside literary event. The response paper should be one page in length, typed, double-spaced, and in MLA format. A list of UTSA literary events will be provided at the start of class.

Critique Leader (10%)

Each student will be required to act as a critique leader for one story. The critique leader will open up and lead discussion on that story. He/she should give textual examples from the story and plan to spend about 5 – 10 minutes talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the story and 15 – 20 minutes leading a class discussion of the story. The critique leader is REQUIRED to turn in a 2 page (typed, double-spaced). Critique guidelines will be provided.

Response Papers (10%)

A response paper will be required for each of the major texts we read in class. The short response papers will be based on reflections, suggestions, and specific prompts provided in class. Response papers should be 1 to 2 pages in length and will be typed, double-spaced, and in MLA format.

Peer Story Critiques (10%)

The second half of this course will focus on workshop and critiquing student work. Short peer critiques for each story will be required. These critiques will include notes and suggestions written and marked on both the draft and in a typed response that offers: (1) two strengths about the work, (2) two suggestions for improving the work, and (3) two questions encountered or unresolved after reading the work. All responses must be typed. These responses will be taken up at random over the course of the semester.

Short Story (25%)

Each student is required to prepare a short piece of creative non-fiction for class workshop and review. This piece should be 10 – 15 pages in length. While the blending of image and text is not required, it is strongly encouraged. Various methods for incorporating text and image will be discussed over the course of the semester. The student piece will be distributed to the class the week before it is assigned for workshop. Each student will be responsible for making enough copies to distribute to the class.

Final Portfolio (25%)

Final Portfolios assessing student’s writing process and semester development will be due at the end of class. Portfolios will include examples of five revised in class assignments, a revised and expanded version of the work shopped story, and a reflective evaluation. Specific directions for the final portfolio will be administered the last week of this course.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

The instructor and students are expected to be respectful of each others’ opinions and cultures. We will discuss many topics in this course which may include subject and opinions that are controversial. While we are free to disagree with others, but we must be civil and professional in our conversations. Students will be expected to be in class ready to participate when class starts. Tardiness is strongly discouraged and will count against participation and daily grades. More than three tardy arrivals to class will count as one absence.

Because we will be working on new skills each class period, it is very important that you attend class. More than 3 absences will result in a lowering of your grade by one letter. For example, an A grade will automatically be dropped to a B. Subsequent absences will result in a drop in letter grade for each class missed. Should you have an emergency which requires that you be absent, it is extremely important that you contact me—preferably before class. Because students are “allowed” two non-penalized absences I do not distinguish between “excused” and “unexcused” absences. However, I caution all students to be responsible as any missed class time will be reflected in the course grade and quality of work.

Cell phones must be on “vibrate” or turned off during class time. Students must arrive in class on time and ready to learn.

POLICY REGARDING STUDENT WRITING AND BEHAVIOR IN CREATIVE WRITING COURSES

Writing instructors may, at their sole discretion, refuse to workshop or comment upon any student work they deem patently offensive or outside their professional purview. Instructors should make every effort to communicate their standards so students know what is likely to be considered unacceptable. If the instructor determines that a student's submission is unacceptable, they should inform the student and give him or her opportunity to submit an alternative work. If an instructor believes a student's writing or personal manner suggest they are emotionally unstable and may pose a risk to themselves or others, the instructor may insist the student see a professional counselor (through the university counseling center) as a condition for continued participation in the workshop. If the student's behavior violates the Student Code of Conduct, the instructor may file a referral with Student Judicial Affairs. Faculty may also, at their discretion, report concerns about student behavior to the UTSA police. In all cases, instructors should register theirconcerns with the Department Chair. Relevant Web Contacts/Resources:

Counseling Services <

Student Judicial Affairs

UTSA Police Department <

Student Code of Conduct

•Please consult the UTSA Student Code of Conduct regarding the penalties and policies on plagiarism, scholastic dishonesty, and expected conduct.

•Support services, including registration assistance and equipment, are available to students with documented disabilities through the Office of Disabled Student services (DSS), MS 2.03.18. Students are encouraged to contact that office at 458-4157 prior to starting classes to make arrangements.

•UTSA Counseling Services (Web: provides a confidential atmosphere where students may discuss concerns that are important in their lives. Many may be considered normal challenges that we all learn to master as we develop as a person. Some student's concerns may also involve major hurdles that interfere with their ability to manage important life experiences such as relationships, family, work or school. The Counseling Services office offers students and the campus community a variety of professional services. Services are available to all students who are currently attending class. All services are confidential. Please know that Counseling Services is willing to assist you at any time during the normal work day, or in an emergency, you can access an on-call clinician after hours.

1604 Office: RWC 1.810 (Rec. Wellness Center) 210-458-4140/Downtown Office: BV 1.308, 210-458-2930

COURSE CALENDAR

Week OneAugust 30

Introductions

Week TwoSeptember 6

Labor Day Holiday/No Class

Week ThreeSeptember 13

Topic: Narrator and Point of View

Discuss: Blankets

Response Paper #1

Week FourSeptember 20

Topic: Character

Discuss: Exit Wounds

Response Paper #2

Week FiveSeptember 27

Topic: Plot

Discuss: We Are On Our Own

Response Paper #3

Week SixOctober 4

Topic: Setting

Discuss: Maus: A Survivor’s Tale (Complete)

Response Paper #4

Week SevenOctober 11

Topic: Theme

Discuss: Persepolis (Complete)

Response Paper #5

Week EightOctober 18

Topic: Style

Discuss: The Quitter

Response Paper #6

Week NineOctober 25

Topic: The Question of Audience

Discuss: Fun Home - A Family Tragicomic

Response Paper #7

Week TenNovember 1