Welcome to Techniques for Creative Nonfiction.

Please take some time to familiarize yourself with this website, as it includes required course material, as well as a great deal of supplementary material you may wish to explore throughout the semester. You will find your class assignments here each week, so please be sure to check the site regularly if you have any questions about required assignments each week.

Additional information will be added to this site throughout this semester, including critique sheets for workshops; class presentations; mid-term and final paper requirements and more.

Assignments for Feb. 1:

Read for class: Tell it Slant : Intro, and Part 1 “Unearthing Your Material,” chapters, 1,2,3 & 6 (pages 3-38 and pages 55-62)

Read: “Repeat After Me” by David Sedaris, Touchstone Anthology, page. 443; Read “The Love of My Life” by Cheryl Strayed, Touchstone, page. 500

Preparing for class: Throughout the semester, read all assigned materials actively and come to class prepared to discuss. Active reading means: observe and take notes on elements of craft to discuss in class; write down questions you have about material to share with the class; look up unfamiliar material within texts to add to your understanding.

Bring to class: an example of creative nonfiction written by someone else to read out loud. This should be just a few paragraphs; be prepared to discuss why you respond to this work. If you need ideas, the class website has numerous links to creative nonfiction examples

We will have in-class writing and drafting for your memoir piece