English 191 is a one-hour course, required twice for the Professional Writing Major, but available as an elective for any student interested in the issues related to the publication of a literary magazine.   The class gives is an "introduction to literary magazine production culminating in publication of a literary magazine. Special emphasis is given to: editorial perspective; audience evaluation; selecting, editing, and arranging copy; proofreading; designing magazine format; and marketing a literary magazine" (1999-2000 MVNC Catalog 152).  Students must have successfully completed English 143 (Expository) and 153 (Research) before enrolling in this course.

The course, designed to exercise and expand the student's analytical and creative thinking skills, will be conducted as a discussion/lab course, treating the following topics:

• --the definition of a literary magazine.
• --the logistics of publishing a college sponsored literary magazine.
• --the literary magazine's editorial stance.
• --editorial ethics.
• --relationship between writers and editors.
• --manuscript processing.
• --standards for selection of prose and poetry entries.
• --copy reading.
• --magazine format.
• --cover design.
• --desk-top and professional printing.
• --marketing a college sponsored literary magazine.

Students are allowed only one unexcused absence; each additional unexcused absence reduces the student's final grade by one letter. The professor reserves the exclusive right to excuse absences, in the case of emergencies or when notified in advance of the absence; this policy includes College sponsored absences.

Grade Distribution:

The student's final grade for this course will be assessed according to the following:
 

25%     Active participation in class discussion and decision-making.
5 %     Tests on Readings and Class Discussion
60%     On-time completion and quality of homework and "chores"
10%     Quality of evaluation essay written on last day of class

At different times in the early part of the semester the student will be asked to write  reviews of works of reserve and respond in paragraph form to different questions.  All such homework must be typed, in MLA format, and in 14 font.  No expecptions.

• For a review of MLA guidelines follow this link.
• Click here to see a sample assignment in MLA form in a windows document.

Grading Scale:
 

• 91 to 100 is an "A" Exceptional, a cut above--unusually good.
• 81 to 90 is a "B" Well Done! A fine Job!
• 71 to 80 is a "C" Good, a concrete understanding of the subject.
• 60 to 70 is a "D" Passing but weak.
• 59 and below is an "F" Fell short of required understanding of material.

Week One

Feb. 3 Meet to organize and discuss scope of the course

Assign chores: design and have copied a print flyer ad for art submissions, design and submit a "Happenings" ad for art submissions, and investigate securing a Campus Center lobby bulletin board for "sales time"  Also contact alumni office about getting word to former students about the possibility of being published.

Assignment for next time: Peruse literary magazines on library reserve and type in 14 font a 3/4 page review each of two; read materials on evaluation of prose and poetry.

Assign chores: Begin logging and copying submissions already on file, and making evaluation notebooks for each class member (make sure to have copies made on 3-hole paper); draft letter to respond to submitters & bio and submitter's note form.

Assignment for next time: Begin reading censorship materials and draft an editorial statement about "suitability" of materials for our magazine and the editorial prerogatives we intend to exercise; finish reading evaluation materials

Test One on the evaluation of prose and poetry

Feb. 15-17 Discuss censorship and our editorial statement; discuss evaluation standards and procedure.
Feb. 16     (Faculty Day and Student Assessment Day)

Assign chores: Finish assembling evaluation notebooks and distribute them before next class; have Carla copy submitter response letter and [student] send it out to all submitters

Assignment for next time: Have read and evaluated 1/3 of entries; make sure evaluation form is filled out

FEBRUARY ___ : DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS

Week Four

Feb. 22-24  March Begin selection process; as we select decide which selections should be sent to the judges

 
Assignment for next time: Have read and evaluated second 1/3 of entries; fill out evaluation form.

Test Two on censorship and our editorial policy

Feb. 29-March 2 Continue selecting entries; decide on size of magazine

Assignment for next time: Finish reading entries and filling out evaluation form

March 8-11 Finish selecting entries to publish and turn in evaluators' notebooks; fax subset of selections to judges for ruling by April 1

Assignment for next time: Draft letter to respond to writers about selections

March 14-16  Discuss the possibility of creating a web version of Windows Within.  Workshop in computer lab.

Week Seven

March 23-25

Week Eight

March 21-23

NO CLASS/SPRING BREAK

Week Nine

March 28- 30 Polish rejection and acceptance letters; decide on order of entries and art in final copy, incorporating judges' decisions
 

Assign chores: Scan selected entries and art onto disc; have letters copied and send them out; send out "thank you" letters to art submitters

Assignment for next time: Bring to class at least one design for cover ("fully realized":color/paper stock/size/layout orientation, etc.)

April 4-6 "Field trip" to printing department to review our printing options; decide on cover design

Assign chores: Adjust margins and layout details on magazine, run 5 copies of this draft form and distribute them to class members (keep this strictly confidential!)

Assignment for next time: Proofread draft of magazine and note any changes needed

April 11-13 Finalize magazine format, make cover decision. Have hard copy draft ready by _____

Assignment for next time: Bring to class 1 poster design and 1 print ad design each for radio, newspaper and the "Happenings" sheet

April 18-20 Plan marketing of magazine; decide on ads to use

Assign chores: Copy and post posters, take ad to radio station and arrange for airing, take ad to newspaper.

Week Thirteen

April 25-27 Plan sales campaign; talk about what we would do differently next time

Assign chores: Who will sell, when, where?; Do we need posters for sales site?; Someone should get change and a cash box; How shall we store magazines, money, sales log, etc.?

Week Fourteen

May 4-6 "Mop-up" as needed
 

Week Fifteen

May 11-13 EVALUATION ASSIGNMENT: ON-SITE ESSAY
 

Have a Glorious Summer and a Grand Time of Renewal!