Introduction to the art of creative nonfiction. Students will produce a portfolio of essays of various genres, including memoir, autobiography, narrative journalism, commentary, and interviews. Readings, regular writing assignments, and revision of written work are required.

What must a journalist do to move beyond the bare bones of the news? How does the journalist, trained to gather facts and evidence, achieve a personal style that is both honest and imaginative? The class explores how creative journalists combine the techniques of the novelist with those of the journalist. In addition to writing exercises and stories, students will examine the works of such creative journalists as Truman Capote, Joan Didion, Norman Mailer, Joseph Mitchell, V. S. Naipaul, Gay Talese, John A. Williams, and Tom Wolfe.

English Elective

English Credit

Emphasis on development of a prose style appropriate to a given disciplinary or work-world context.

This course introduces students to the genre and focuses on literary aspects of nonfiction writing. The course explores elements that are specific to nonfiction as well as aspects that it shares with other literary genres. Texts may cover autobiography, memoir, journals, narrative journalism, and literary essays. Class discussions of students' work and selected readings. For English majors and minors, this is designated as a writing course.

CBA Credit CC - Liberal Arts

Elective Credit

A creative writing course and workshop in autobiography and memoir, the course will focus on critical reading of significant works in the genre, on the tools used to craft these works and analysis of how personal experience can be intertwined with first hand research and secondary sources in creative ways. Students will be expected to practice the craft and submit original creative works to workshop through several short essays and to produce one full length essay. A final portfolio will include the full-length essay of 8-12 pages as well as critiques, several short papers and assignments produced and developed through workshops.

Elective Undergraduate: Liberal Arts

In this course, students will experiment with writing creative nonfiction. The class will produce a magazine from start to finish, including writing the articles and editing them for publication. Students will compose, revise and edit several pieces of nonfiction prose, both long and short, on topics of their choice. These may include observations of life in the city, an autobiographical sketch, or an interview/profile. Students will work on developing an authorial voice and on making their writing lively and concise. This course counts as an elective in the Writing Minor.

Elective Credit

This course introduces students to creative non-fiction writing, writing that uses true events for literary effect. In writing and revising creative non-fiction, students will learn and practice a variety of forms, including personal essay, memoir, literary journalism (or narrative non-fiction), and biography. Students will work to improve their technique and develop individual voices, but will also work in groups to discuss ways to improve their work. They will read works by published authors and will also learn how to submit their own work for publication.CUNY Pathways: Flexible Core-Creative Expression

200-LEVEL ELECTIVE

English Elective

Elective Credit

English Elective Credit

Elective Credit

Elective Credit

Elective Credit

An advanced workshop for creative nonfiction writers aiming at publication.