What is Creative Writing?

Creative Writing blends the practical and the ideal as it gives you the space and challenge to explore and develop your creative talent. You make take the creative writing courses as electives or to fulfill requirements for the English major. You may also want to consider the Creative Writing concentration which allows you to explore equally the different forms of creative writing – fiction, poetry, and nonfiction – or to focus primarily on one of them.

The Creative Writing concentration will hone your skills in both practical and creative forms by giving you instruction and intensive practice in writing. Students of creative writing bring to the workplace a nuanced and practical understanding of how to employ imaginative language: in print, online, in classrooms, and in a wide range of communication-based environments.

Creative Writing Courses

To fulfill the Creative Writing concentration, a student must take at least four classes from those listed below.

ENGL 050 (GA) Introduction to Creative Writing (3) Practice and criticism in the reading, analysis and composition of fiction, nonfiction and poetry writing.

ENGL 209 Journal or Magazine Practicum (1-6 per semester/maximum of 8) A practicum in the editing and publishing of a magazine or journal (Hard Freight).

ENGL 212 Introduction to Fiction Writing (3) Written exercises and short readings in the elements of fiction writing; the writing of at least one short story.
Prerequisite: ENGL 015 or ENGL 030

ENGL 213 Introduction to Poetry Writing (3) Written exercises in the components and techniques of poetry writing in conjunction with selected readings.
Prerequisite: ENGL 015 or ENGL 030

ENGL 214 Introduction to Creative Nonfiction (3) Written exercises in, and a study of, the principles of creative nonfiction writing in conjunction with selected readings.
Prerequisite: ENGL 015 or ENGL 030

ENGL 215 Introduction to Article Writing (3) Written exercises in, and a study of, the principles of article writing; practice in the writing of specific articles.
Prerequisite: ENGL 015 or ENGL 030

ENGL 412 Advanced Fiction Writing (3 per semester/maximum of 6) Advanced study of the techniques of fiction writing; regular practice in writing the short story; group discussion of student work.
Prerequisite: ENGL 212 and permission of the department

ENGL 413 Advanced Poetry Writing (3 per semester/maximum of 6) Advanced study of the techniques of poetic composition; regular practice in writing poetry; group discussion of student work.
Prerequisite: ENGL 213 and permission of the department

ENGL 414 Biographical Writing (3 per semester/maximum of 6) Advanced study of the techniques of biographical writing; regular practice in writing creative nonfiction essays; group discussion of student work.
Prerequisite: ENGL 200, ENGL 202B, ENGL 210, ENGL 212, ENGL 214, or ENGL 215

ENGL 415 Advanced Nonfiction Writing (3 per semester/maximum of 6) Advanced study of the principles of nonfiction; substantial practice in writing and submitting magazine articles for publication.
Prerequisite: ENGL 215 and permission of the department

ENGL 424: Creative Writing and the Natural World

ENGL 435: American Short Story

ENGL 436: American Fiction since 1945

ENGL 437: The Poet in America

ENGL 439: American Nonfiction Prose

ENGL 486: World Novel in English