Syllabus

To write, one must read. To write well, one must read well. 
Which means: to read widely, to read with enthusiasm, 
to read for pleasure, to read with an eye for another's craft. 
– Joyce Carol Oates

The writer studies literature, not the world. He lives in the world; he cannot miss it. 
– Annie Dillard

UNIT 1 NONFICTION

Week 1, February 11 — What is Creative Nonfiction? / Creating a Writing Practice

Week 2, February 18 — Researching Your Lives / Finding Subjects / Writing Place, Home, & Family

Week 3, February 25 — Writing Culture (Food, Art, Politics, Events)

Week 4, March 3 — Experimental Prose

_______________

UNIT 2            FICTION

Week 5, March 10 — the Real vs. the Fantastical / Microfictions

Week 6, March 17 — Characters 

SPRING BREAK

Week 7, March 31 — Voice / Point-of-View / Dialogue

Week 8, April 7 — Form

_______________

UNIT 3            POETRY

Week 9, April 14 — What is Poetry? / Prose Poems / Narrative vs. Lyric Poems / Tone-Speaker-Voice / Diction and Syntax / Images-Metaphors-Conceits

Week 10, April 21 — Forms / Breaking Forms / Meter & Rhythm / Soundscapes

Week 11, April 28 — Experimental Poetics / Political Verse / Diction & Syntax / Hip Hop / Hybrid, Genre-Crossing, and Multi-Media Texts 

Week 12, May 5 — Etc.

  • TBA

FINAL PROJECTS DUE