WR 240 Creative Nonfiction

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Introduces the basic elements of creative nonfiction, including memoir and researched essays; the process of creating nonfiction works; and the workshop system used to share and discuss the work of peers. Students will create and revise at least one new work of creative nonfiction, which may be either a short work or part of a longer project.

Prerequisite: WR 121Z, WR 122Z, or WR 227Z; or consent of instructor. (All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.)
Repeatable: 2

Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify the use of general narrative techniques within published works of creative nonfiction.
Identify the use of techniques specific to creative nonfiction within published works of creative nonfiction.
Apply the use of general and genre-specific techniques within short exercises.
Apply the use of general and genre-specific techniques in an original work of creative nonfiction (2,000 to 5,000 words long).
Identify and evaluate the use of general and genre-specific techniques within peer writing.
Clearly communicate thoughtful responses to peer work, both in written summaries and within small-group discussions.
Revise original work based on peer responses.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Read actively, think critically and write purposefully and capably for academic and, in some cases, professional audiences.
Locate, evaluate and ethically utilize information to communicate effectively.
Demonstrate appropriate reasoning in response to complex issues.

Content Outline

Introduction of Creative Nonfiction as an Emerging Literary Form
Introduction of General Narrative Techniques (e.g., Plot Structure, Characterization, Setting, Point of View, etc.)
Introduction of Techniques More Specific to Creative Nonfiction (e.g., Research Methods, Informal Documentation, Interviewing, etc.)
Exploration of General and Genre-Specific Techniques Through Short Writing Exercises
Introduction of the Workshop Process for Sharing and Responding to Student Work
- Submitting original work for review by other students
- Providing written summaries of peer work for other students
- Participating in discussion of the techniques observed in peer work and the effects of these techniques upon readers
Introduction to the Process of Submitting Work for Publication
Revision of Student Work for Possible Submission for Publication