ENGL 623 (01) - Creative Nonfiction

Creative Nonfiction

Durham Liberal Arts :: English

Credits: 4.0
Term: Spring 2023 - Full Term (01/24/2023 - 05/08/2023)
Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Class Size: 20
CRN: 56360

Intensive writing course emphasizing the blend of basic elements that constitute creative nonfiction: research, observation, and personal experience. Also readings and discussion of some of the best published creative nonfiction. Prereq: ENGL 501, 526, 527 or permission of the instructor. May be taken more than once for credit, recommended with two different instructors.

Registration Approval Required. Contact Instructor or Academic Department for permission then register through Webcat.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Instructors: Sue Hertz

Times & Locations

Start Date	End Date	Days	Time	Location
1/24/2023	5/8/2023	MW	2:10pm - 3:30pm	HS 240

Additional Course Details:

Spring 2023 Course Details: Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction employs the imagery of a poet, the drama of a novelist, and the content drive of a journalist. In this class, we will do all of that in 500-1,000, words. Flash nonfiction is an ever-popular form of true story telling, requiring a tight focus, a reliance on symbol and detail, and the discipline to complete a story with meaning and precision in few words. Writers of flash have a lot of fun with form – think poetry, think one very long sentence, think lists – and revision. It is difficult, probably impossible, to carve a complete tale in 750-words on a first, or even second try. Flash teaches us to squash the excess and celebrate the key word, the key image, the key moment. Students will read a wide variety of flash nonfiction, produce weekly essay drafts, and critique each other’s work with generosity and specifics.