ENG 204 - Creative Writing: Beginning Creative Nonfiction Workshop

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Focus on crafting nonfiction essays that incorporate fiction techniques. Complete a series of writing and reading exercises designed to teach students further aspects of the craft of literary essay writing such as voice, scene and summary, segmented essays, authenticity, imagery and style. Develop a collection of essays including but not limited to personal essay, memoir, portrait, essay of place and literary journalism. The workshop method will be used to discuss student writing and foster critical thinking.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 200 or permission of department chair.

Note: Typically offered at MC and OL; fall and spring terms.

Course Outcomes:

Apply a conscious process to writing original nonfiction.
- Use effective prewriting techniques.
- Apply research and invention strategies to create works of original nonfiction.
- Use the computer effectively in the composition process.
Analyze contemporary Creative Nonfiction.
- Define creative nonfiction.
- Analyze the styles of successful writers.
- Explain experimental forms.
- Explain contemporary issues in Creative Nonfiction.
- Explain the component genres of Creative Nonfiction (memoir, personal essay, travel writing, nature writing, literary journalism).
Create competent original nonfiction.
- Identify the difference between showing and telling.
- Use figurative language, appropriate sentence structure, and word choice effectively.
- Create works that demonstrate an awareness of literary voice, observation, and personal interaction with the subject, as well as reflecting an understanding of the elements of each genre of Creative Nonfiction.
- Apply standard conventions of writing (spelling, grammar, punctuation, usage, diction, syntax).
Evaluate one’s own and others’ works of fiction effectively.
- Analyze one’s own and others’ works of nonfiction to improve writing.
- Formulate constructive criticism and specific suggestions for improvement.
- Apply criticism to the revision of one’s own work.
Understand the business of nonfiction writing.
- Create a portfolio of work.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the submission process.
- Write effective query letters and other submission correspondence.