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In this course we will explore four forms of literary nonfiction: memoir, reportage, opinion and personal essay. It is a reading and writing course; we will read works in these forms by masters, and discuss them as writers, that is, with an eye to technicalities, and students will also write pieces in each form which will be work shopped. There will be an emphasis on how forms differ in point of view, content, and kinds of power, all by way of understanding the attributes and purpose of literary nonfiction generally. There will also be an emphasis on mining the details of everyday life. Paradoxically, literary non-fiction is distinguished from workaday nonfiction by finding powerful meaning in the ordinary. While all work will be held to a high standard where grammar, vocabulary and polish are concerned, risk-taking, even when not altogether successful, will be recognized and rewarded.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ENGL Grading Mode: Graded
Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.
Last Updated on MAR-30-2006
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459