Thornton Wilder wrote this to the author John Knowles in 1945: “It is from our deepest subjectivity that we write.” Like a memorable piece of nonfiction, this quote carries many layers of truth. It is indeed important to write the objective details of our world. To write an autobiographical piece, we must begin to understand our own distinctive backgrounds, and our own unique points of view, in order to observe, and work within, the contexts we wish to explore.
Over the course of the semester, we will interpret the term “nonfiction” broadly, in different forms, including text, graphic, oral history, film, and performance works. We will also absorb works across a variety of mediums and from a number of different countries, traditions, and eras. Plus, we will explore the ethics of nonfiction writing through the works of theorists and practitioners.
This course offers not only the opportunity to read across a diverse cross-section of nonfiction works but also to experiment in writing across a variety of nonfiction mediums. You will learn to adapt to a clearly identified purpose and audience; to organize and develop your material; to evaluate and integrate supporting materials as you work toward a research-based long essay; and to control your style and mechanics decisions in order to communicate with effectiveness and verve. Freewriting, short essays, workshop feedback to peers, and reflections on the craft of writing all lead into a final portfolio that showcases your favorite work from the term and analyzes the decisions you made to produce and revise said work.
Repeatable one time.
Prerequisite: 306, 311, or 313; or instructor consent.
REQUIRED TEXTS
- All texts will be provided FOR FREE via Laulima. That said, some students choose to purchase Brenda Miller and Suzanne Paola’s book Tell It Slant: Creating, Revising, and Publishing Creative Nonfiction (3rd Ed.)because it’s such an excellent and enduring reference. I will link (for free!) to the e-edition of the book so only purchase it if a hardcopy is something useful to you.
- Your own dedicated, blank journal for all in-class writing exercises.