This class gives an overview of the types of short non-fiction that newspapers and magazines will publish – sometimes for free, sometimes for pay. Students will write several types of in-demand pieces, such as a restaurant or book review; a review of a piece of theater, art gallery, film or concert; a humorous personal essay; an op-ed-style opinion piece; or a “useful” story (how to work a new piece of technology, how to prepare for hurricane season, what to do if your washing machine breaks, how to get the best deals at CVS). Students will write first drafts, read them aloud, participate in guided roundtable-style discussions about what could be improved, and rewrite a new draft based on feedback. At the end of the class, the students should have several solid submit-able pieces.Special Skill Requirement: Reasonable proficiency on Word (or similar program) and access to computer and printer are required.
Suggested Reading: "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk and E.B. White (may be found free online at Gutenberg.org)
Maximum Class Size: 15.
