Writing Creative Nonfiction Syllaus and Learning Outcomes   

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This six-week course explores creative nonfiction — also known as literary journalism and narrative nonfiction — through a mix of readings, discussions, in-class exercises and writing assignments. It's for anyone who enjoys reading and talking about great writing, and who wants to try his or her hand at writing creative fiction.
We'll read classic and contemporary works of creative nonfiction to understand how writers employ the techniques of fiction — voice, scene, mood, perspective, language, foreshadowing, sensory details — to nonfiction writing.
Students will be encouraged to take advantage of the weekly writing assignments and share their work with the class for feedback, but this isn't required. n by established authors to learn effective techniques.

Course Schedule*

• Jan. 9 (Week 1): Introduction to Creative Nonfiction

  • Focus: What is creative nonfiction

  • Reading: Theodore Rees Cheney, "Writing Creative Non-Fiction,"; Gay Talese, "Frank Sinatra has a Cold"

  • Assignment: For Week 2 bring three ideas for a 750-1,200-word creative nonfiction essay.

• Jan. 16 (Week 2): Character/Subject

  • Focus: Reporting and interviewing

  • Reading: "Writers Responsibilities to Subjects," CNF, Issue 29; Tom Wolfe, "Radical Chic: That Party at Lenny's"

  • Assignment: Present three story ideas for a 750-1,200-word creative nonfiction essay; for Week 3 bring a outline for one of your story ideas.

• Jan. 23 (Week 3): Storytelling

  • Focus: Structure and narrative

  • Reading: Susan Orlean, "Orchid Fever"; Norman Mailer, The Executioner's Song (excerpt)

  • Assignment: Present outline of your essay; for Week 4 bring first draft.

• Jan. 30 (Week 4): Places and Events

  • Focus: Setting and meaning

  • Reading: John Hersey, Hiroshima (excerpt)

  • Michael Herr, Dispatches (excerpt)

  • Assignment: Present first draft of essay; for Week 5 bring revised draft no. 1.

• Feb. 6 (Week 5): Point of view

  • Focus: Narrators

  • Reading: Truman Capote In Cold Blood (excerpt); Hunter S. Thompson, "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved"

  • Assignment: Present revised draft no. 1; for Week 6 bring revised draft no. 2.

• Feb. 16 (Week 6): Autobiography

  • Focus: Writing your life

  • Reading: James Baldwin, "Notes of a Native Son" (excerpt); Joan Didion, Where I Was From (excerpt)

  • Assignment: Present revised draft no. 2.

* Some readings may be revised.

Learning outcomes:

• Define what creative nonfiction is and how it differs from straight reporting and fiction.

• Identify major figures in American creative nonfiction over the past 60 years and seminal works in the field.

• Name fiction devices writers use in creative nonfiction.

• Name journalistic devices writers use in creative nonfiction.

• Write an essay using the techniques of creative nonfiction.