Final versions due 1 December; developing manuscripts of proposals and papers may be reviewed earlier

Components & lengths:

• creative writing text (fiction, poetry, etc.) describing a minority condition, situation, or scenario 12-15 pages

• learning commentary 4-6 pages

This assignment is designed for students pursuing creative writing concentrations or careers. Because this is an unusual assignment, the student must confer with the instructorat least two weeks before the due date so student & instructor can review status and potential improvements.

Warnings: Don't regard this assignment as simply an opportunity to avoid research and dash off a creative draft for which the instructor's reaction will be a shrug.

Potential development: Consider combining this research assignment with the conference proposal, presentation, and commentary, as much of the work of creative writers takes place at conferences or workshops. Scholars and writers meet each other personally, share their writings, receive feedback and criticism, and learn opportunities for publishing or collaboration.

Assignment:

• creative writing text (12-15 pages)

Develop and finish a fictional story, a chapter from a novel, a series of poems, a play or screenplay, or creative nonfiction.

Selections are possible in all these genres. "Finished" means ready-to-read rather than complete.

• learning commentary 4-6 pages

Your commentary may appear as an introduction, an afterword, running commentary (such as chapter or poem introductions), or combinations of these options.

Review or introduce the status of your creative text and relate to course objectives and overall course readings.  and next steps for development. Ask questions of instructor. 

Purpose of Learning Commentary: To measure learning accomplished by the thesis. An inherent problem in creative writing pedagogy is the difficulty of assessing it, especially relative to reading-centered courses. The student choosing this option must make every effort to substantiate the coordination of their work with the seminar and not to give the impression that the writing is something they would have done anyway regardless.

Potential contents of Creative Writing Learning Commentary:

·        Instructional backgrounds in creative writing (previous courses or models)

·        Origins and development of this creative work

·        Coursework contributing to the work’s development

·        Course objectives relevant to creative work, and how the texts created exemplify or extend these objectives

·        Learning generated by research, composition, and revision

·        Examples of textual changes following editing and revision.

Potential for overlap with conference presentation option:

Consider submitting your creative work to the 19th annual UHCL Student Conference for Research & Creative Arts, scheduled 17-18 April. Deadline for proposals is usually in early spring semester.