Creative Writing Genre Focus: Nonfiction I & II Exam  
Prepare Before the Day of the Exam:
 Section 1 –Assessments
 Section 2 – Personal Identity & Passion
 Section 3 – Specifics of Nonfiction
 Section 4 – Submissions
On the Day of the Exam:
 Section 5 – In-Class Writing

Section 1 – Assessments
Self-Assessment
Assess your strengths and weaknesses as a writer of Nonfiction throughout this course. Consider all aspects of process and product. Specifically, discuss how your writing evolved throughout the course in response to critiques and exercises. Also discuss the influence that course readings (both handouts and reading responses) had on your writing (minimum 500 words).
Course Assessment
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this course. Please be specific (citing examples) and realistic (considering the limitations of the course). Offer suggestions for improvement where appropriate (minimum 300 words).

Section 2 – Personal Identity & Passion: Select one of your pieces that best represents you or your passion(s). Explain your choice in one or more paragraphs of introduction, and place the piece below on the page or on the next page. Explanation paragraphs should be single spaced. Nonfiction should be single spaced within paragraphs and double-spaced between paragraphs. Nonfiction titles should be centered at the top of the piece, and your name should be centered under the title with one blank space between title and author and two spaces between author and first paragraph of the piece. Print out a clean “Xeroxable” copy to submit on exam day. Also, email it as an attachment to haileycp@pwcs.edu.

Section 3 – Specifics of Nonfiction
The contest guidelines for Columbia College define nonfiction as “a genre of fact-based storytelling distinguished from journalism, reportage, and the traditional high school composition assignment by the use of fictional techniques and by the invested presence of the writer’s personal voice and vision. Drawing on the techniques and forms of fiction writers—scene, character, dialogue, point of view, gestural imagery, and narration—creative nonfiction emerges from the strongest vein of fiction writing to explore and interpret research and personal experiences, and in the literary traditions of Truman Capote, Zora Neal Hurston, and Mark Twain.”  

Nonfiction I only
o The genre of Creative Nonfiction is difficult to define. How has your definition of Creative Nonfiction evolved throughout this course? Refer to nonfiction elements and techniques we’ve addressed in this course as you define what “Creative Nonfiction” is to you, based on your experiences in this course. To illustrate your points, refer to specific pieces you have written as well as examples we have read in class or you have read for response assignments (minimum 300 words).
o What did you learn about yourself as a human being as you worked through your nonfiction writing this semester? (minimum 300 words)

Section 4 – Submissions
This part of your exam is an exercise in following publishing market and contest guidelines. Follow guidelines exactly to earn full points. Revise and edit writings for submission so they will have the best chance of being selected for publication or contest award. The effort you put forth in preparing submissions for publication will affect your grade on the take-home exam. Minimally, you could prepare one piece and send it to all of the markets. Students who prepare more pieces will earn a higher grade.


 o Submit a poem to the second semester Creative Communication Atlantic States Poetry Contest on line at www.poeticpower.com. After you submit, print out the “proof” that you submitted, write the title of the essay and your name at the top, and submit in the appropriate folder for the exam.  
 o Write an essay about something that is important to you, and submit it to www.poeticpower.com. Follow the web site instructions for submitting. After you submit, print out the “proof” that you submitted, write the title of the essay and you’re name at the top, and submit in the appropriate folder for the exam.
o Go to http://youthvoices.net Submit a piece of your writing in any genre. Comment on two pieces of writing that are already published, following the response guidelines provided.
o If you did not meet the deadline for the Columbia College Chicago Young Authors Contest or The Scholastic Writing Awards, submit a piece of creative nonfiction to The Claudia Ann Seaman Awards for Young Writers at www.polhyphonyhs.com Submission: Each participant may submit a total of three poems, essays, or stories (2500 word limit for fiction and creative nonfiction) Entries must be received by June 1, 2009 (Entries rec’d by Feb. 15, 2009 will be considered for publication in Polyphony H.S. Winners announced Sept. 20, 2009. Each entry must contain: Student name, address, phone, email address, year of HS graduation (Class of____) • School name, address, phone • Name and email address of student’s English teacher Submit entries on line: at www.polyphonyhs.com or Visit www.Teenreads.com on the web and America Online (AOL). AOL users can go to Keyword: The Book Bag. Follow the instructions under “Poetry Contest.” All other applicants can go directly to the website at http://www.Teenreads.com and look for the contest there. If you did submit to Columbia College and Scholastic, you may earn extra points by submitting to this contest.
o Eddas Submission: Submit 2 pieces to Eddas & the CFPA Aesthetics magazine. Submit paper copies and email to eddas submissions@gmail.com You may use one submission form and include both titles. Submission forms will be provided on the exam day.  
 o Submit writing to Susquehanna University’s The Apprentice Writer according the guidelines below. Your task is to choose one or several pieces of writing to submit to The Apprentice Writer. Then write a cover letter in which you introduce yourself and your writing and "sell" your submissions for future publication. Set your letter up as a business letter (see link to the right for format) with your home address as the heading and Gary Fincke’s address as the inside address. However, you must also mention the school name and address in the letter. Staple the cover letter to the writings and submit in identified folder as part of your exam. You are required to submit writing in all of the genres required by your current genre focus courses. For extra points, you may also submit writing that is not required by one of your genre focus classes. Fiction, nonfiction, and script are also encouraged by one or more of these contests.
Submission Requirements for Susquehanna University’s The Apprentice Writer
 Manuscripts must be typewritten and double-spaced on 8 1/2 x 11 pages. The writer's name, address, and appropriate teacher must appear on each page.  
 We do not return written submissions. Please keep a copy for yourself. All rights return to the writer after publication.
 If you are submitting photographs or artwork (must be black and white), and would like them returned, please include an adequately sized, stamped, self-addressed envelope. All other work will be destroyed.
 There are no restrictions on style, subject matter, or length (up to 30 pages). We are looking for the best written work and photography/graphics by high school students (grades 9-12) from the United States.
 Categories for submissions are: Fiction; Poetry; Drama; Essay; Photography; Black & white art.
 We send copies of The Apprentice Writer to accepted contributors and their teachers.
  We are unable to acknowledge those works which are not accepted for publication. If you have not heard from us by May 15, you work has not been accepted.
 Submit individually or have your teacher send to: Gary Fincke, Writers' Institute Director, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA 17870-1001 WE WILL SUBMIT ALL TOGETHER, SO NO ENVELOPES OR STAMPS ARE NECESSARY!
  Submission Deadline: March 15. Acceptance announcements will be mailed by May 5. Publication and Distribution: September 2004. YOUR DEADLINE IS THE EXAM DAY!

Section 5 – In-Class Writing

You will be given a variety of prompts and stimuli from which to choose. With one (or a combination), of these prompts, you will be asked to compose in creative nonfiction. Your emphasis should be on using the best techniques you have developed before and during this course. 
 

Tues. 1/12 & Thurs. 1/14 AJ Check and Quarter Portfolio Due (About You and Not About You--1200 words minimum)

Tues. 1/19 & Thurs. 1/21 Semester Portfolio (all nonfiction work for both semesters--polished) and Responses (NF I)/Author Study (NF II)

Mon. 1/25 Emergency Due Date for one item with Mrs. Hailey's permission.

Exams start 1/26 Take-Home Exam Due on Exam Day!

The next Eddas Coffee House is plugged in. The band will be announced soon. It takes place in the lower cafeteria between 6 and 9:30 p.m. Cost is $5 for admission or $4 if you are performing or displaying artwork. Please sign up in the Eddas room--preferably by January 15th. Coffee and refreshments will be on sale at the coffee house. 

 PJ's are due Monday, 10/26!

Do you know a band? Are you a member of a band? Then submit a request to play at the Eddas Coffee House!

Currently looking for a band for the January 20th Coffee House.

Eddas 2010 Spirography can be ordered now for $10!  The cost when it arrives in June will be $12.

Eddas 2009 Qualia is still on sale!

Cost Now Reduced to $10

Purchase in the Eddas room or outside the cafeteria when sales are set up.