Many students, even students who love to read and write, think nonfiction is a boring genre. They associate nonfiction with textbooks and homework, and they rarely seek it out themselves. I want students to leave this class understanding what makes creative nonfiction fun, interesting, and compelling. We will consider the fundamental questions of nonfiction: How do writers craft a personal identity through writing? How can they render another person or experience truthfully? What are the obstacles to a writer of creative nonfiction? We will read and discuss short examples of memoir, graphic memoir, and literary journalism. Students will also participate in creative writing exercises to craft and share their own stories with the group.

Many students, even students who love to read and write, think nonfiction is a boring genre. They associate nonfiction with textbooks and homework, and they rarely seek it out themselves. I want students to leave this class understanding what makes creative nonfiction fun, interesting, and compelling. We will consider the fundamental questions of nonfiction: How do writers craft a personal identity through writing? How can they render another person or experience truthfully? What are the obstacles to a writer of creative nonfiction? We will read and discuss short examples of memoir, graphic memoir, and literary journalism. Students will also participate in creative writing exercises to craft and share their own stories with the group.