Writing Creative Nonfiction

Course Objectives

• Read, analyze and duplicate various forms of writing considered creative nonfiction.
• Comprehend narrative strategies and techniques used in creative nonfiction, including scene, description, dialogue, point of view, character development and narrative structure and flow.
• Understand the basic tenets of nonfiction writing and reporting, including researching, interviewing, adherence to fact and accuracy.

What You Learn

• Form and elements of creative nonfiction
• Bridges and boundaries between fiction and nonfiction
• Subject matter and the subgenres of narrative nonfiction
• Narrative structure and plot
• Writing scenes
• Reporting techniques and interviewing
• Character and dialogue
• Voice, tone and point of view
• Theme
• Unity and rhythm
• Revision
• Writing life and the business of creative nonfiction

How You Learn

• In-class discussions
• Readings
• Writing exercises
• Student writing workshops
• Writing creative nonfiction essays (several short and one long)

Is This Course for Me?

This course is intended for beginning and intermediate creative nonfiction writers who have college-level reading and writing skills and who intend to build a body of work sufficient for entry to a graduate creative nonfiction writing or journalism program.