ENG 308-B Advanced Creative Nonfiction

Northwestern University, Spring 2019

Course Overview

This advanced course will give you the chance to explore five subgenres of creative nonfiction: the digital essay, the memoir, the lyric essay, the personal essay, and literary journalism. In doing so, it will help you embark on a new level of professionalism in your writing. One focus will be on structure, technique, and style. Another will be on the issues and concerns these texts and videos address: racism, police brutality, Neo-Nazism, mental illness, sexual harassment, and implicit bias.

We’ll revisit the macro elements of creative nonfiction via close readings and discussions of published works. Inspirations will include Susan Orlean, Claudia Rankine, Alex Haley, John McPhee, Lillian Ross, Mac McClelland, Nellie Bly, Joan Didion, Maxine Hong Kingston, Oscar Hijuelos, and Vivian Gornick.

Writing assignments will range from weekly exercises and workshop submissions to a digital essay and a piece of longform journalism (feature, longform Q&A, or profile). You’ll gain experience researching, interviewing, note-taking, scripting, shooting video, editing video and audio, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading.

May not be audited or taken P/N.

Prerequisite

ENGLISH 208, ENGLISH 308-A, or permission from the professor. For students who have not completed prior creative writing course in the School of Professional Studies, permission numbers are required to register.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to

  • identify, contrast, and draw connections among subgenres of creative nonfiction;
  • analyze texts via close reading;
  • write and submit examples of creative nonfiction;
  • evaluate other students’ writing and provide feedback;
  • present on the assigned reading and facilitate class discussion;
  • demonstrate a working knowledge of the processes of drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading; and
  • think critically about Internet content.

Required Materials

  • Claudia Rankine, Citizen, Graywolf Press, 2014 (978-1555976903)

All other assigned readings will be available on Canvas or online.

Assignments & Evaluation

The assignments in this class consist of the following:

  • Attendance—20%
  • Summaries, discussion questions, and responses to each week’s readings—20%
  • Weekly writing assignment of all weekly assignments and workshop submission/s—20%
  • Presentation—10%
  • Digital essay—15%
  • Final literary journalism project (feature, longform Q&A, or profile)—15%

Professor Fay

Dr. Fay’s writing has appeared in the New York Times, TIME, the Paris Review, Bookforum, the American Scholar, the Believer, BOMB, the Iowa Review, the New Republic, and the Atlantic. She is the recipient of the Hopwood Award for Literature, as well as grants and fellowships from the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, the Center for Book Arts, the Poetry Center of Chicago, the Puffin Foundation, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Sewanee Writers’ Conference. She has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, an M.A. in English, and a Ph.D. in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century American Literature. She served as advisory editor at the Paris Review and currently teaches in the English departments at DePaul University and Northwestern University.

Schedule of Readings and Assignments*

*Subject to change

Week 1

Introductions & Voice

4/4 Introductions

IN CLASS:

  • Susan Orlean, “Voice” (craft essay, 2007)

**Weekly writing assignment for next week: Thinking about what we discussed in class about voice, tell a story of a time you witnessed or experienced a microaggression. Use your phone to record yourself speaking. It should be no longer than five minutes and have a beginning (something happens), a middle (tensions escalate), and an end (tensions are resolved or explode). Listen to it. Listen to it again, this time transcribing what you hear. Don’t type it verbatim. Cut the uh’s and um’s. Now read it. Reflect on what you notice. How would you describe the voice in the writing (not the recorded version)? Formal? Informal? Conversational? What’s the tone (i.e., attitude of speaker toward reader and subject matter)? Put the story and reflection on the same document. Bring enough copies for your group and upload a copy.

Week 2

Lyric Essay

4/11

IN CLASS:

  • Claudia Rankine & John Lucas, “Situations” (2016)

READING DUE:

WRITING DUE:

  • Submission group #1 only (print copies due in class to be workshopped next week + upload a copy)
  • Weekly writing assignment (printed copies due in class + upload a copy)

POST: 1) a one-sentence summary of the reading assigned; 2) one discussion question on a reading, and 3) a response to one of the discussion questions posted

**Weekly writing assignment for next week: Write the first draft of your script for your digital essay. It should be on one of the topics you wrote about in class (microaggression, indignity, selection bias, or hostility) but need not draw directly from what you wrote. It can be either idea- or narrative-driven. (Either a story about one of the topics or a meditation on one of them.) Remember that a digital essay will juxtapose text and video and should work as a cohesive whole. Bring enough copies for your group and upload a copy.

Week 3

Digital Essay

4/18

IN CLASS:

  • Video editing workshop

READING DUE:

  • Claudia Rankine, Citizen sections III, IV, V, VI, VII (memoir/book-length lyric essay, 2014)
  • Digital storytelling handout
  • Video editing handout

WRITING DUE:

  • Submission group #2 only (print copies due in class to be workshopped next week + upload a copy)
  • Weekly writing assignment (printed copies due in class + upload a copy)

PRESENTATION DUE:

  • Presentation group A

POST: 1) a one-sentence summary of the reading assigned; 2) one discussion question on a reading, and 3) a response to one of the discussion questions posted

FEEDBACK DUE: COMMENTS ON SUBMISSIONS FOR GROUP #1

**Weekly writing assignment for next week: Finish the rough cut of your digital essay. Max length: 2 minutes. Upload a copy to Canvas and have a way to access it in class.

Week 4

Literary Journalism: Long-form Q&As

4/25

READING DUE:

  • Alex Haley, Interview with George Lincoln Rockwell (Playboy, 1966)
  • John McPhee, “Elicitation” (craft essay from Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process, 2017)
  • George Plimpton, “Ernest Hemingway: The Art of Fiction No. 21” (Paris Review, 1954)

WRITING DUE:

  • Submission group #3 only (print copies due in class to be workshopped next week + upload a copy)
  • Weekly writing assignment (printed copies due in class + upload a copy)

PRESENTATION DUE:

  • Presentation group B

POST: 1) a one-sentence summary of the reading assigned; 2) one discussion question on a reading, and 3) a response to one of the discussion questions posted

FEEDBACK DUE: COMMENTS ON SUBMISSIONS FOR GROUP #2

**Weekly writing assignment for next week: Make a list of ten people you can/would like to interview. Choose one. Research the person. Write a short bio of them. Write a list of ten great interview questions you’d ask them. Bring enough copies for your group and upload a copy. (You should also be finishing your digital essay.)

Week 5

Literary Journalism: Profiles

5/2

***DIGITAL ESSAY DUE

READING DUE:

WRITING DUE:

  • Submission group #4 only (print copies due in class to be workshopped next week + upload a copy)
  • Weekly writing assignment (printed copies due in class + upload a copy)

PRESENTATION DUE:

  • Presentation group C

POST: 1) a one-sentence summary of the reading assigned; 2) one discussion question on a reading, and 3) a response to one of the discussion questions posted

FEEDBACK DUE: COMMENTS ON SUBMISSIONS FOR GROUP #3

**Weekly writing assignment for next week: Write ten ideas for a literary journalism feature, longform Q&A, or profile. Write a preliminary outline for one of them. Bring enough copies for your group and upload a copy.

Week 6

Literary Journalism: Research

5/9

READING DUE:

WRITING DUE:

  • Submission group #1 (round 2) only (print copies due in class to be workshopped next week+ upload a copy)
  • Weekly writing assignment (printed copies due in class + upload a copy)

PRESENTATION DUE:

  • Presentation group D

POST: 1) a one-sentence summary of the reading assigned; 2) one discussion question on a reading, and 3) a response to one of the discussion questions posted

FEEDBACK DUE: COMMENTS ON SUBMISSIONS FOR GROUP #4

**Weekly writing assignment for next week: Give us an update on how your final project is coming along. In doing so, reflect on the form you chose and how well it’s working, your topic, your angle, your research, the cold calls you’ve made and legwork you’ve done, and any fact-checking you’ve been doing. Bring enough copies for your group and upload a copy.

Week 7

Literary/Immersion Journalism: Narrative

5/16

READING DUE:

  • Nellie Bly, from Ten Days in a Madhouse (1887)
  • Kurt Vonnegut, “At the Blackboard” (craft essay, 2005)

WRITING DUE:

  • Submission group #2 (round 2) only (print copies due in class to be workshopped next week+ upload a copy)
  • Weekly writing assignment (printed copies due in class + upload a copy)

PRESENTATION DUE:

  • Presentation group E

POST: 1) a one-sentence summary of the reading assigned; 2) one discussion question on a reading, and 3) a response to one of the discussion questions posted

FEEDBACK DUE: COMMENTS ON SUBMISSIONS FOR GROUP #1

**Weekly writing assignment for next week: Write a narrative of the piece of literary journalism you’re working on. What is it about? Distill it down to its core. Bring enough copies for your group and upload a copy.

Week 8

Literary Journalism: Collage

5/23

READING DUE:

WRITING DUE:

  • Submission group #3 (round 2) only (print copies due in class to be workshopped next week+ upload a copy)
  • Weekly writing assignment (printed copies due in class + upload a copy)

PRESENTATION DUE:

  • Presentation group F

POST: 1) a one-sentence summary of the reading assigned; 2) one discussion question on a reading, and 3) a response to one of the discussion questions posted

FEEDBACK DUE: COMMENTS ON SUBMISSIONS FOR GROUP #2

**Weekly writing assignment for next week: Write a collage/Didion-esque version of your literary journalism project. Bring enough copies for your group and upload a copy.

Week 9

Personal Essay: Characterization

5/30

READING DUE:

  • Oscar Hijuelos, “Lunch at the Biltmore: An Outing with My Father” (The New Yorker 2005)

WRITING DUE:

  • Submission group #4 (round 2) only (print copies due in class to be workshopped next week+ upload a copy)
  • Weekly writing assignment (printed copies due in class + upload a copy)

PRESENTATION DUE:

  • Presentation group G

POST: 1) a one-sentence summary of the reading assigned; 2) one discussion question on a reading, and 3) a response to one of the discussion questions posted

FEEDBACK DUE: COMMENTS ON SUBMISSIONS FOR GROUP #3

**Weekly writing assignment for next week: Choose a person involved in your final literary journalism project. Write a character description of that person, using detail, description, imagery, perception, setting, and dialogue. Bring enough copies for your group and upload a copy.

Week 10

Ethics

6/6

READING DUE:

  • Vivian Gornick, “Truth in Personal Narrative” (craft essay)
  • John D’Agata and Jim Fingal, from The Lifespan of a Fact (journalism/correspondence, 2012)

WRITING DUE:

  • Weekly writing assignment (printed copies due in class + upload a copy)

PRESENTATION DUE:

  • Presentation group H

POST: 1) a one-sentence summary of the reading assigned; 2) one discussion question on a reading, and 3) a response to one of the discussion questions posted

FEEDBACK DUE: COMMENTS ON SUBMISSIONS FOR GROUP #4

FINAL PROJECT DUE: literary journalism feature, Q&A, or profile 

Week 11

Conferences

 

Attendance

Students are expected to attend every class, arrive on time, and remain for the duration. Coming 15 minutes late or leaving 15 minutes early constitutes an absence. Three absences for any reason, whether excused or not, may constitute failure for the course.

 

Late-Work Policy

All work is due on the deadline. Late work will not be accepted unless you speak to me, explain the situation, and we agree to an alternative prior to the due date and time.

 

Email Policy

I will respond to questions by e-mail within 24 hours (usually much sooner). I will not discuss your grade via email. Please make an appointment to see me.

 

Class Discussion

Be prepared to be called on to offer comments related to the readings and assignments. Not having completed the reading or completing the assignments will affect your participation grade.

 

Course Website

We will use Canvas, Northwestern’s learning management system, throughout the quarter.

 

***Technology

This is a creative writing class. Workshop is an act of making oneself vulnerable by showing one’s work to others. Your full attention is required.

 

You must turn off your cellphone. If there is an emergency, you may put it on silent and vibrate. Take any emergency calls outside the room. I will check that your cellphone is off. Any student that breaks this rule will lose half a grade (B to B-) and cause the class to use “the box.” Note: I will have my phone on primarily as an alarm, letting us know ten minutes before class ends, so we can reflect, wrap-up, and dismiss on time.

 

All readings will be available on Canvas and accessible electronically.

 

Class Concerns

Please bring any concerns regarding this course to my attention via email or during my office hours or by appointment.

 

Students with Disabilities

Students seeking disability-related accommodations (conditions include but are not limited to mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts) are required to register with AccessibleNU, which will enable access to accommodations and support. Students are also invited to contact me privately to discuss any challenges and how I may assist in facilitating the accommodations needed in this course. This is best done early in the term and our conversation will remain confidential.

 

Diversity and Inclusion

I am committed to providing all students with the respect and educational experience they so rightly deserve. Readings and assignments will respect diverse perspectives and experiences, including disability, age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality, educational background, religion, and socioeconomic status. Please let me know if your needs aren’t being met. In addition, if any of our scheduled class times conflict with a religious observance, let me know in advance so we can plan accordingly.

 

Gender Expression

Please respect each student’s preferred pronoun and name. A gender-neutral bathroom is located on this floor of the building.

 

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to comply with University regulations regarding academic integrity. If you are in doubt about what constitutes academic dishonesty, speak with me before the assignment is due and/or examine the University web site. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating on an exam (e.g., copying others’ answers, providing information to others, using a crib sheet) or plagiarism of a paper (e.g., taking material from readings without citation, copying another student’s paper). Failure to maintain academic integrity on an assignment will result in a loss of credit for that assignment-at a minimum. Other penalties may also apply. For more information, visit: www.northwestern.edu/provost/policies/academic-integrity/index.html

 

Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

Northwestern University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy apply to all members of the University community, including students, staff, and faculty. Any Appendices/Links Page 52 of 66 Return to Table of Contents student, staff, or faculty member who believes that he or she has been discriminated against or harassed on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, or veteran status should contact the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Disability Services at (847) 491-7458 or the Sexual Harassment Prevention Office at (847) 491- 3745. Additional information about the University’s discrimination and harassment policies, including the campus resources available to assist individuals with discrimination or harassment concerns, is available online at: www.northwestern.edu/sexual-harassment and www.northwestern.edu/hr/eeo.