Literary Arts

Writing Sample Process for Workshops

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Writing Sample Process for Workshops

Many Literary Arts classes require writing samples – which are due on the first day of the semester. If you have not taken a workshop at Brown, we recommend that you also consider the following below-1000 level workshops that do not require a writing sample: LITR 100 (FYS); LITR110; and LITR 210.

Each workshop is designed to focus on a particular genre, theme and/or literary tradition. The writing sample review process helps to ensure that there is a good match for the material to be covered within a given workshop. We recommend that you submit writing samples to as many sections in which you are eligible and in which you have an interest. Applying in this manner will dramatically increase the likelihood of your finding a match.

Any Brown or RISD undergraduate may apply to take below-1000 level workshops – and all Brown or RISD students may apply to take 1000-level workshops.

LITR 1010A, LITR 1010B, LITR 1010E, LITR 1010V, LITR 1010X, LITR1151I, LITR 1151X, LITR 1152W, LITR 1153B, LITR 1153C & LITR 1153D will NOT meet on 3, 4 & 5 September (as the class list will not yet be determined). These classes will begin to meet on Monday, 8 September.
 

Deadline

Writing samples may be submitted starting on Tuesday, 2 September and are due by 5 pm ET on Wednesday, 3 September 2025 (some instructors may accept writing samples through 5 pm ET on 4 or 5 September; those links will remain active until that time). Instructors will notify those who've applied of the results by day's end on Monday, 8 September.

Submission

All writing samples will be submitted electronically. From the list below, select the course(s) to which you wish to apply. Starting on 2 September you'll find an electronic mail address or a link to an online form to which you should send a writing sample. 

Classes

  • LITR 310S, Sec. 1 –  
  • LITR 1010A, Sec. 1  –  
  • LITR 1010B, Sec. 1 –  
  • LITR 1010E, Sec 1 –  
  • LITR 1010H, Sec. 1 –  
  • LITR 1110N, Sec. 1  –  
  • LITR 1110U, Sec. 1  –
  • LITR 1110Y, Sec. 1 –
  • LITR 1152N, Sec. 1 –  

Frequently asked questions

Intermediate Sections

Fiction: 5-15 pages of prose fiction  
Poetry: 4-8 pages of poetry  
Digital/Cross-Disciplinary: A story, 4-6 pages of poetry, a cross-genre literary work or a computer-based creative work

Special Topics: A writing sample 4-15 pages -- if possible, relevant to the topic (but any creative work will be considered)

Advanced Sections

Fiction: 10-20 pages of prose fiction  
Poetry: 6-12 pages of poetry  
Digital & Cross-disciplinary: One or more cross-disciplinary or digital creative projects, or a writing sample as above, ideally from a project for which the artist can envisage a compositionally integrated cross-disciplinary or digital dimension
Screenwriting and Script to Screen: Send a message to the designated course email address for sample instructions.
Translation: 8-20 pages of material, in translation or not  

Special Topics: 8-20 pages of original literary material, relevant to the topic

If you meet the criteria, you may register for intermediate creative writing workshops. If you are able to register, you need not submit a writing sample at the beginning of the semester. If you cannot (or do not) register, then you should submit a writing sample at the beginning of the semester.

Apply to any section that you would like to take – advanced and/or intermediate. The more to which you apply, the more likely you are to get into one; but don't apply to a section where you know you have a time conflict. Once you've been accepted in one section of a particular genre, you will NOT get into any other.

Any undergraduate student may submit writing samples to intermediate and advanced workshops, regardless of the courses previously taken. In certain fields (screenwriting, digital language arts), by applying, the instructor will assume that you have familiarity with the related software and basic techniques of the field.

Any graduate student may submit writing samples to 1000-level workshops, regardless of the courses taken previously. In certain fields (screenwriting, digital language arts), by applying, the instructor will assume that you have familiarity with the related software and basic techniques of the field.