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Berkeley Global
A diatribe against braggarts? A consolation to a lonely wife? An ode to Japanese design? The personal essay genre encompasses it all. In this class, you read across continents and centuries, from Montaigne to Sedaris, to discover the joy of the form that marries the logic of nonfiction to the dialogue and drama of fiction. What is fact and what is fiction in a personal essay? Through the analysis of the writing of renowned authors, explore the personal essay and its meaning, context and style. In class, practice craft exercises, write and workshop your own essays.
Course Outline
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Course Objectives
- Discuss the personal essays of a diverse group of global writers.
- Gain and hone writing skills through practice exercises and student essays.
What You Learn
- History of the essay
- Forerunners of the craft
- Development of the genre over time
- Current “state of the essay”
- Elements of a successful essay
- Avoiding vagueness
- Creating composite characters
- Essay structures
- Elements of voice
- Critical reading
- Giving and receiving of effective criticism to and from other students
How You Learn
- Reading assignments
- Writing exercises
- Discussion participation
- Student essay workshop, which includes the submission of two essays
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Fall enrollment opens on June 20!