Introduction to Creative Nonfiction

This is an introductory course in creative nonfiction, a genre often characterized by its lack of definition. Creative nonfiction includes a miscellany of forms aimed at the artful presentation of truth, fact, experience, and memory. In this class, we will read essays of all kinds (personal, rhetorical, lyrical…); works of reportage (profiles, science writing, travel writing, literary journalism…); works of cultural criticism; and more. Sometimes pieces fit snugly within one of these subgenres, but usually they don’t. In addition to these readings, we will write frequently, both inside and outside of class, and offer each other feedback in structured workshops. The first half of the semester will focus on the personal essay. The second half will focus on literary journalism. Students will write and workshop two manuscripts over the course of the semester that fall into each of these categories.