Arts: Writing   

This workshop is an introductory course offering practical training to enhance nonfiction writing skills. The storytelling techniques emphasized are applicable to memoir, historical articles, long-form journalism and book-length nonfiction, for both print or internet. Class materials include selected readings, posted online, that demonstrate key writing techniques practiced by successful, well-known authors. Students should expect to spend six to eight hours a week reading assignments, writing and analyzing workshop writing submissions. Students are required to submit, for analysis, four 500- to 1,000-word writing samples by midnight, Fridays, using content derived from their experience. Students will read one another’s work and share evaluations. 

NOTE: “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott is assigned to be read by the end of the term.

What stories from your life would you like to tell? This course in writing personal narratives is derived from the Readers Write section of The Sun literary magazine. We will review samples from past issues and write responses to the magazine’s prompts. We will also look at upcoming topics, so students may submit works for publication. Students are expected to write one 400- to 800-word essay each week and share it on the interactive website Raider Moodle. Participants will respond to others’ essays by answering the following questions to encourage supportive feedback: What did you notice? What struck you? How did you connect personally to the story? All students are welcome, regardless of writing experience. This course has been offered previously, but all writing prompts will be new.

NOTE: There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19.