Writing Creative Nonfiction
A workshop in writing and critiquing original creative nonfiction in several representative sub-genres.
Outcomes: Students will learn to apply both traditional fictional techniques (eg, in-depth characterization, dramatic plot development, specific concrete detail) and more innovative ones (eg, shifting chronology, genre mixing, eccentric voices, multiple points-of-view) in their nonfiction writing.
A workshop in writing and critiquing original creative nonfiction in several representative sub-genres.
Outcomes: Students will learn to apply both traditional fictional techniques (eg, in-depth characterization, dramatic plot development, specific concrete detail) and more innovative ones (eg, shifting chronology, genre mixing, eccentric voices, multiple points-of-view) in their nonfiction writing.
Artistic Knowledge and Experience
Class Topic: Trials and Attempts
What is creative nonfiction? Does it involve writing from life experience, as in memoir, or does it involve reporting on events in the world, as in journalism? The answer is both, and more. This course will explore the many ways a nonfiction writer can craft an artful essay that is inventive and factually true. We¿ll begin with the question What is an essay? to help us refine our understanding of how the creative essay is different from the academic essay. One of the original meanings of the word essay is ¿a trial or an attempt¿ and we¿ll work in this spirit of the essay by writing five trials, or five beginnings, for five possible essays. Then we¿ll attempt to expand two of these trials into complete essays. All along, we¿ll be using workshop discussions and readings of contemporary essays to generate ideas and guide revision. The final weeks of this course will be devoted to revising one of your essays to produce a finished work of the highest possible quality, worthy of your pride and satisfaction.
Class Details
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