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REVISED SYLLABUS AS OF SUNDAY, FEB. 14
Monday, Feb. 15
Final draft of 3-page essay due.
● Review revised syllabus
● Discuss readings. Genre: Humor
Dave Eggers, “A Heartbreaking Work,” and David Sedaris, "City of Angels" CP pp. 74-94.
Discuss Zinsser, Chapter 19.
● Discuss assigned readings. Genre: Social Commentary
Discuss Shiltz essay, CP pp. 123-132. If you already wrote the one-page response, hand it in for
extra credit.
Sign up for workshop and conference.
Wednesday, Feb. 17
Rough raft of publisher analysis due. Bring two copies for workshop. Due to snow days
PUBLISHER ANALYSIS SHOULD BE ONE-PAGE LONG
Recap: Discuss 5-page narrative nonfiction assignments, CP p. 10.
Lecture: Using a signal phrase/incorporating sources with grace/gathering evidence.
Sign up for workshop and conference.
Final draft of publisher analysis due AT THE TIME OF YOUR CONFERENCE.
Friday, Feb. 19
CONFERENCES. No formal class.
Come to conference with an outline or one-page synopsis that describes what you plan to write
about. Include a) the general topic, b) format/style/tone, c) intended audience, d) possible
publishers.
Monday, Feb. 22
CONFERENCES. No formal class.
Come to conference with an outline or one-page synopsis that describes what you plan to write
about. Include a) the general topic, b) format/style/tone, c) intended audience, d) possible
publishers.
Wednesday, Feb. 24
CONFERENCES. No formal class.
Come to conference with an outline or one-page synopsis that describes what you plan to write
about. Include a) the general topic, b) format/style/tone, c) intended audience, d) possible
publishers.
Friday, Feb. 26
Workshop volunteers: Drafts of 5-pager are due. Make 24 copies and distribute to classmates.
Discuss how to respond to student writing.
Discuss query letters, CP pp. 7 and 8. Three types, CP pp 38-56. Due to snow we will write only
ONE letter, rather than three. Model your letter after the one on page 53.
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Monday, March 1
Discuss assigned readings. Genre: Memoir
Mary Karr, CP pp. 133-143.
Glass Castle, CP pp. 181-191.
Discuss Zinsser, Chapter 14
Wednesday, March 3
FORMAL WORKSHOP.
Workshop volunteers: Drafts of 5-pager are due. Make 24 copies and distribute to classmates.
Friday, March 5
Discuss assigned readings. Genre: Social Commentary
Joan Didion, CP pp. 97-122.
Discuss Zinsser, Chapter , 8, 9 and 10. Grammar review.
Monday, March 8
Workshop, draft of query letters due, bring two copies.
Using a signal phrase/incorporating sources with grace/gathering evidence, continued.
Discuss Fonts/Cover Letters
Wednesday, March 10
FORMAL WORKSHOP.
Final query letters due, in class final edit..
Workshop volunteers: Drafts are due. Make 24 copies and distribute to classmates.
Friday, March 12
Computer lab.
Grammar and style review update. I'll give you handouts. Zinsser, Chapter 11
Discuss assigned readings. Genre: Families
Annie Dillard, CP pp. 144-156. Submit one-page response.
Monday, March 15 – 19, Spring Break
Monday, March 22
Discuss assigned readings. Genre: New Journalism
Gay Talese, "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold," handout and see my squarespace web page.
Zinsser, Chapter 12
Wednesday, March 24
FORMAL WORKSHOP.
Next round workshop volunteers: Drafts are due. Make 24 copies and distribute to classmates.
Friday, March 26
Computer lab: Costco
Discuss assigned readings. Genre: Social Commentary
Sallie Tisdale, "We do Abortions Here," handout. Submit one-page response to this piece.
Monday, March 29
Lecture: Getting Published, Part I, CP pp. 12-26.
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Wednesday, March 31
FORMAL WORKSHOP.
Next round workshop volunteers: Drafts are due. Make 24 copies and distribute to classmates.
Friday, April 2
Computer lab.
Discuss Zinsser Chapter 23 and Chapter 16
Monday, April 5
Lecture: Getting Published Part II, Getting Rejected Again and Again and Again...., CP pp. 27-37.
Rejection letters, CP pp. 57-62. Discussion: Working with editors.
Wednesday, April 7
FORMAL WORKSHOP
Workshop volunteers: Drafts are due. Make 24 copies and distribute to classmates.
Friday, April 9
Computer lab: Dominos and AOL
Monday, April 12
Discuss assigned readings. Genre: Travel and Place
Discuss Zinsser, Chapter 13.
Mike Tidwell, CP pp. 151-157.
Discuss Andre Dubus, online, "Railroad Sketches."
Wednesday, April 14
FORMAL WORKSHOP
Workshop volunteers: Drafts are due. Make 24 copies and distribute to classmates.
Friday, April 16
Computer lab: Sammy's
Editing: Are you Aware?
Monday, April 19
Discuss assigned readings: Genre: Memoir
James Frey, "A Million Little Pieces," CP pp. 175-180. Submit one-page response to this piece.
Wednesday, April 21
FORMAL WORKSHOP
Friday, April 23
Computer lab: Mona Lisa
Discuss Zinsser, Chapter 20, 21 and 22
Portfolio checklist, CP p. 11.
Monday, April 26
Discuss assigned readings. Genre: A Vivid Sense of Place
Anthony Swofford, "Jarhead," pp 193-209.
Look at portfolios from previous semsteeres.
Wednesday, April 28
PORTFOLIOS DUE.
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Computer lab.
Friday, April 30
TBA
Monday, May 3
Discuss assigned readings: Genre: Social Commentary
B. Ehrenreich, "Serving in Florida," CP pp. 158-174.
Get handout, “Robbed in PG County.”
Wednesday, May 5
Discuss “Robbed in PG County” – audience.
Resume workshop.
Student evaluations.
Friday, May 7
Computer lab.
Look at professional portfolios/other business.
Pick up graded portfolios (?)