English 093 Reading and Writing Non-Fiction Fall 2023 MW 11:00-12:15 Dr. Kyle McCord Email: kfmccord@gmail.com Required Texts: Columbine by Dave Cullen In Cold Blood by Truman Capote The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison Course Description: An introduction to reading and writing non-fiction. Different sections may focus on essay writing, life writing, literary journalism, travel writing, scientific writing, and so on. Emphasis is on the student's own production of texts, as well as on traditions and practices of the particular genre. Activities will include frequent writing and discussion of papers. May be repeated once for credit when the topic varies. Frequent writing and revision. Course Assignments and Expectations: 1. 2. 3. 4. Because this is a workshop class, physical participation is a vital component. Attendance is an essential. Missing more than 5 classes, unexcused, will result in failure of the course. Be on time. This class is primarily designed as a course for you to write creatively. As such, you will write in your notebook almost every class meeting. In-class writing exercises are to be done in this notebook, as well as your response to the question. This notebook is a space where you can collect ideas for creative pieces and compose drafts. You will need to bring it to each class. What unique portion of your life do you want to contribute to the page Workshop: A typical workshop session will look deeply at a number of creative pieces from you and your peers. Be sure to hand in your creative pieces one session before each workshop date. Come prepared to speak at length about the pieces we’re considering. Your participation in workshop discussions is not optional. Each discussion of a student’s work will begin with a reading of the piece to be workshopped, followed by a descriptive round-robin of the piece. This will lead to a more in-depth analysis and interpretation of the work at hand. The emphasis will not be on “fixing” pieces, but rather on the articulation of what the works are doing and not doing relative to the expectations they suggest and the conventions they engage. All students in the class will be expected to provide written comments on the pieces that are being workshopped in a given week. These comments will be returned to the student whose work is up for workshop. When you receive an essay from a fellow student, it is expected that you will spend time reading and commenting on it. You will comment on manuscripts and turn in a formal response to the author. Submission for this course will be electronic. Each student will have his/her essay workshopped. Participation by all students in these workshops is required. I do not mean just turning in your essay, but that you also actively discuss your classmates’ work. You should treat the full-class workshop as if it were an exam for which there is no make-up. All of your comments and criticism are vital in creating a productive workshop. Remember, these workshops are to help you improve your essays and prepare your final revision. The more you can add to the discussion of someone’s writing the better. Therefore, it is expected that you will come to each workshop ready to discuss your peers’ work. Evaluation: I will provide timely written and oral comments on all work turned in for class. You will be expected to use peer review and discussion, my commentary, and your own evaluation to revise your work. I will work closely with you on drafts of your final portfolio. Essays will be evaluated on the completeness of the assignment, as well as engagement, thoughtfulness, and risk-taking. Evaluation is not merely on a completion basis. However, if you use the feedback you receive in class, you can be confident that your writing will improve. Appropriate and high-quality presentation is expected on all course work. All materials must be typed and in 12 pt. font. Students will be evaluated on the quality of class participation, both in workshop and in class discussion. This means come to class prepared. There is no excuse for coming to class unprepared to discuss work. Your final grade will be calculated according to the following: Personal Essay Integrating Another Voice (8 Pages) Literary Journalism Essay (8 Pages) Researched Personal Essay (8 Pages) In-Class Participation and Written Comments 25% 25% 25% 25% You should expect to cut 50-75% of what you write Workshop materials will be due on your assigned workshop days, but revision are due at the midpoint and conclusion of the semester. All assignments must be handed in on time. Barring an emergency, late assignments will not be accepted for evaluation. All assignments must be turned in to receive credit in the course. Understood Rules for Workshop: 1. Workshop is a safe space. We will work hard to support each other and contribute both positive feedback and constructive criticism for fellow writers. 2. Address your feedback to the author. The tendency is to address feedback to me, which can create the grounds for arguments, especially when I say something the class may disagree with. There are no arguments in this class; if you disagree, that's fine. State your case in a nonconfrontational way. 3. It is extremely important that you address your comments (written and in-class) to specific moments in the text of the piece being workshopped. Often, we have the tendency to talk about writing vaguely because much of it seems subjective. This is dangerous because comments may insinuate criticism of the author, rather than the piece itself. Please be as specific and focused as possible. The hallmark of good writing is the ability to be specific 4. Most writers discard or revise huge portions of their text. Be prepared to cut 40% or more of your essay and revise accordingly. Writing is a process and rarely does one get it done perfectly on the first pass. Comment with this in mind. If you are sick, do not email me Schedule of Classes (subject to change) Week 1 01/23 – Course Introduction, Prompt Analysis -Read Columbine 1-50 01/25 – Learning to Discuss Exercise, Discuss First Segment of Columbine -Read Columbine 51-100 Week 2 01/30 – Discussion of Introductory Paragraphs, Discuss Second Segment of Columbine -Prepare Detailed Idea for Personal Essay, Read Columbine 100-150 02/01 – Share and Workshop Ideas, Focus on Sensory Detail -Prepare Rough Draft of Personal Essay, Read Columbine 150-200 Week 3 02/06 – Copy Essays, Exercise in Developing Tension 02/08 – In-Class Workshop Week 4 02/13 –In-Class Workshop 02/15—In-Class Workshop Week 5 02/20—In-Class Workshop 02/22—In-Class Workshop -Read In Cold Blood 1-75 Week 6 02/27— Prompt Analysis, Opening Discussion of In Cold Blood -Read In Cold Blood 76-150 03/01— Discussions of In Cold Blood focusing on Depth -Read In Cold Blood 150-225 -Select Event Week 7 03/06—Discuss Selected Events in Class -Read In Cold Blood 225-End -Finish Revisions of Personal Essay 03/08—Watch Part of Capote in Class -Final Version of Personal Essay Integrating Another Voice Due Week 8 03/13– Spring Break 03/15—Spring Break -Prepare Rough Draft of Literary Journalism Essay Week 9 03/20—Copy Essays, Exercise in Extracting Detail 03/22– In-Class Workshop Week 10 03/27– In-Class Workshop 03/29—In-Class Workshop Week 11 04/03– In-Class Workshop - Read “The Empathy Exams” 04/05—Prompt Analysis, Discussion of Reading Focusing on Structure, Begin Research -Read “Pain Tours” Week 12 04/10—Discussion of Reading Focusing on Incorporating Quotes -Read “Grand Unified Theory of Female Pain” -Prepare Rough Draft of Researched Historical Essay 04/12–Copy Essays, Exercise Discussion of the Essay Week 13 04/17—In-Class Workshop 04/19—In-Class Workshop Week 14 04/24—In-Class Workshop 04/26—Drake Relays Week 15 05/01—In-Class Workshop -Prepare Final Drafts of Literary Journalism Essay and Researched Historical Essay 05/03—Closing and Evaluations -Final Draft of Literary Journalism Essay and Researched Historical Essay Due Prompts Personal Essay Integrating Another Voice For our first assignment, explore your own relationship to school violence in an essay that combines personal narrative with text from Columbine. Generate a narrative that selects a particular moment from your life to display in a non-fiction style that adds complexity to the discussion of increasing violence in schools. Create sensory details, develop tension, analyze effectively, incorporate quotes meaningfully, and employ sound grammar and mechanics. Literary Journalism Essay Select a non-fictional happening that is local to your community. It need not be a crime. It simply needs to be an event where you see a significance beyond simply the event itself— imagine an event that a news outlet would choose to cover. What is the wider significance that would not be obvious without your essay? Research and retell the event, but keep your maintain your voice and perspective. Establish depth, incorporate two texts using MLA documentation, use quotes well, analyze effectively, and employ sound grammar and mechanics. Researched Historical Essay The final essay will require you to perform research and utilize sources to generate a historical literary essay. Select 3 specific moments (think a period of no more than a day) in human history where different social groups experienced pain and explore the connection between those moments and what it might offer your audience that is novel. Explore using research and examine other texts that have looked at pain or suffering. Make sure your essay is wellresearched with four outside sources and is specific. Develop a clear thesis, show depth, use MLA well, analyze effectively, and employ sound grammar and mechanics.
