Larry Cheek here with your winter syllabus. I'm looking forward to joining you beginning Jan. 11.
Please note the two new
textbooks listed in the syllabus. I have one surplus copy of the Touchstone collection, new, which I'll sell for $15 (bookstore price $20) to the first person to e-mail me at udubscribes@comcast.net. If you have questions about the course, I'll be happy to answer them at the same address.Larry
Nonfiction: Writing Seminar & Portfolio
WRI NON CP201 · Jan. 11, 2011 —March 15, 2011
University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education
Instructor: Lawrence W. Cheek (Larry) • udubscribes@comcast.net or 360.221.0346
Class meetings: 6:15-9:15 p.m. Tuesdays
At bottom, there are just two elements to the writing art. The first is to have something to say.
The second is to say it clearly.
—James J. Kilpatrick, The Writer’s Art
This course will focus on the writer’s art as James Kilpatrick so simply and elegantly defines it. First we will work on enriching our stores of what we have to say—developing and refining ideas, gathering information through observation, interview, participation, and research, and then thinking deeply through what we’ve learned. Then we’ll write and rewrite, with emphasis on clarity, economy, and effective storytelling. We will work on beginnings, transitions, endings, and narrative arc. We will develop our individual voices and narrative styles. We will begin working at the molecular level of sentences, considering how the sound of a particular word conveys meaning, and how the sentence’s rhythm creates atmosphere.
And on the practical end, we will talk about how to make a living through our writing, and stay out of trouble.
Each session will include two or three informal lecture-discussions on the writer’s art, assigned readings, and assignments-in-progress. We will have in-class writing projects and critique workshops. I welcome frank and constructive debate. My aim is to conduct the class so that you gain confidence in your writing and spin away any lingering fear you may have about sharing it.
I don’t make many rules. Respect each other. Turn off cell phones during class.
I’m always available to you by e-mail or phone. If you phone, please do so between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (weekends are OK). I also encourage you to exchange e-mail and phone numbers among yourselves. A good way to extricate yourself from a sticking point is to call someone and talk through the story.
Your assignments should be e-mailed to me at udubscribes@comcast.net, either in the form of a Word attachment (2004 or earlier), an RTF attachment, or pasted into the e-mail. Paper manuscripts are unnecessary except for class readings or small-group critiquing. Deadlines are firm.
We will use two new texts, available at University Bookstore: The Touchstone Anthology of Contemporary Creative Nonfiction, eds. Lex Williford and Michael Martone; and The Best American Essays 2010, ed. Christopher Hitchens. We will also continue using your first-quarter text, Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark.
You will also choose one nonfiction book to read and present a critique in class during the last 10 weeks. I will pass out a list of suggested titles in January, but you may select a book not on the list by arrangement with me.
Your objectives in this course will be to:
• Practice your techniques of interview and observation, and learn how to conduct deep research in a variety of other forms.
· Identify your audience and write effectively for it.
• Gain confidence in your writer’s voice, beginning to understand techniques such as rhythm and cadence, imagery, texture, and narrative arc.
· Read a variety of quality contemporary nonfiction, enjoying and understanding the authors’ techniques, and begin to incorporate some of them into your own writing.
· Write a portfolio of publishable quality work that can lay the foundation for pursuing freelance writing opportunities—in print periodicals, books, and electronic media.
The course requirements are to:
• Attend at least 16 of the 20 class sessions, participating in discussion and critiques. Attendance at all sessions is strongly recommended, apart from illness or unavoidable work obligations.
• Research and write all the assigned articles, then revise them based on my critiques and those of other class members.
· Read and critique one nonfiction book approved by the instructor.
Finally, some information required by the University of Washington:
Disability accommodations: The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450 (voice), 206.543.6452 (TTY), 206.685.7264 (fax) or dso@u.washington.edu at least 10 days prior to the start of your course or date of a UW event you plan to attend.
UW Extension Certificate Program Handbook: Please see www.extension.washington.edu/ext/studentinfo/certhandbook/ for information about policies and procedures concerning students enrolled in certificate programs.
Class closures in inclement weather or emergencies: The university is closed and class meetings are cancelled only under extreme weather conditions or emergencies. For information about class cancellations, call 206.547.INFO or 206.897.8939. Special notices may also be posted on the UW Extension home page.
We will write four major pieces during the two quarters, plus several to-be-announced short exercises. The four are:
· An article or essay about a person—profile, biographical sketch, etc. ~ 1000 words.
· An article or essay about a place—travel piece, memoir, etc. ~ 1000 words.
· An article or essay about a thing—object, phenomenon, issue, etc. ~ 1500 words.
· A long article, essay or book chapter on your choice of topic ~ 2000-3000 words
The following assignment and in-class schedule is complete only through the winter quarter, ending March 15. The schedule for the 10 classes following spring break will solidify as I get to know you. Your input is always welcome.
Week 1 (1.11) Lecture and discussion: Ideas and inspiration: where we find them.
Lecture and discussion: Writing about people
In-class writing: TBA.
Assignments: “Shitdiggers, Mudflats, and the Worm Men of Maine,” Touchstone; “A Rake’s Progress,” BAE 2010
Write proposal on “Person” article for discussion 1.18.
Week 2 (1.18) Discussion: Assigned readings.
Discussion and workshop: Your article proposals.
Lecture: Participatory journalism and RBHA—Reporting by Hanging Around.
Assignments: “Daredevil,” BAE 2010
Begin work on “Person” article. First draft due 1.30.
Week 3 (1.25) Guest speaker: Diane Mapes: Writing humor, building platform
Discussion: Assigned readings
Lecture and discussion: First person: The curse of me, the opportunity of I.
Assignments. “Interstellar,” Touchstone; “Guy Walks Into a Bar Car,” BAE 2010
Week 4 (2.1) Lecture and discussion. The concept of “added value” through insight and analysis.
Small-group workshops on “person” articles.
Lecture and discussion: Your “person” articles.
Assignments. “World on a Hilltop,” Touchstone
Revise “Person” article. Due 2.8.
Week 5 (2.8) Guest speaker: Craig English, “Inviting the demons in for tea.”
In-class writing. TBA
Lecture and discussion: Descriptions and anecdotes
Discussion: Assigned reading
Assignments: “Brooklyn the Unknowable,” BAE 2010.
Write proposal for “Place” article for discussion 2.15
Week 6 (2.15) Lecture/discussion. Writing about a place.
Discussion and workshop. Your “Place” article proposals.
Assignments. ”Gettysburg Regress,” BAE 2010
Begin work on “Place” article. First draft due 3.6.
Week 7 (2.22) Lecture and discussion: Beginnings, endings, transitions.
Discussion: Reading assignment
In-class writing. TBA
Assignments. “Present Tense Africa,” Touchstone.
Continue “Place” article.
Week 8 (3.1) Lecture/discussion. The essay: window onto a mind at work
In-class writing. TBA
Assignments. “High Tide in Tucson,” Touchstone.
Revise “Place” article. Due 3.15.
Week 9 (3.8) Small-group workshops on “Place” articles.
Lecture and discussion: Your “place” articles.
Discussion/workshop on last week’s TBA writing assignment
Discussion: Reading assignment
Assignments. “The Fourth State of Matter,” “Torch Song,” Touchstone
Writing assignment TBA
Week 10 (3.15) Lecture/discussion. Braiding and layering: developing the big idea
Lecture/discussion. The writing life I: process, rejection, success
Assignments (for reading over spring break).
“Candid Camera: The Cult of Leica” by Anthony Lane. The New Yorker
“The Date,” Touchstone
“Consider the Lobster,” Touchstone
Same room as last quarter?
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