Dear CW Co-Assessors, 

Here's a version, with some edits still possible, of what Brian and I put together yesterday for today's meeting'. What do you think?


B. Writing outcomes for the major: practical criticism

Our graduating creative writing majors should be conversant in relevant writings in their genre (poetry, fiction), past and present; they should to be able to write about each others’ works, as well as about professional writers, in clear, coherent and concise terms.

1) Students should have achieved some mastery of close reading of both published work and peer texts in regard to: 1) the various elements (eg, diction, syntax, stanzas, form, paragraphs, scene construction, characterization, plot, tone, style, setting, etc.) as well as to 2) a sense of the architecture of the general whole (eg., intentions, design, methods of presentation, etc.). Thus, they should be able to construe a philosophy, psychology, purpose and aesthetics of the author and to offer analytical and constructive practical assistance towards these authorial intentions.

2)  We want to establish in each creative writer an ability to respond editorially to each others’ works.

3) They should be able to write short papers on student works and papers on outside readings by published writers relevant to their practices.

4) This criticism will have practical uses for its intended audience’s practice of their craft and reading skills in the genres.

5) These skills should be able to be communicated to a general audience beyond the classroom as well as to any audience interested in these genres as readers.