2:30p-3:45p TR (15) 3 cr 


REQUIRES PERMISSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR. OBTAIN AUTHORIZATION FROM
BH402.


This workshop is devoted to the wide field of writings that are
non-fictional and yet creative in that the particular intelligence and
sensibility of the writer is an important part of the project.  The
field includes, among other genres, personal essays, autobiography and
biography, and certain kinds of cultural commentary and documentary
projects.  The goals of the workshop are to expand its members'
understanding of creative nonfiction, to bring them closer to their
potential as writers, and to give them practice in constructive
criticism within one model of a writing community.


During the semester the instructor will introduce autobiography and
the personal essay, and perhaps another mode or two, guided by the
interests of class members.  Students will be free to work on a
project or projects of their choice.


Workshop members will normally be expected to hand in about 50 pages
of finished work--typically four pieces of new work and a thorough
revision of one of them.  (After the opening weeks, students will hand
in about ten finished pages every two or three weeks.)  Everyone will
read and comment in writing on all submissions. We will frequently
discuss the process of writing, and there will be a required text or
two. There will be no exams. Grades will be based on the quality and
quantity of work submitted, and on contribution to the discussion of
classmates' work.  Timely submission of work will be essential.



Admission is by consent of the instructor based on a sample of
previous work and to some degree on your background.  Please put two
pieces (10-20 pages total) of your writing closest to creative
nonfiction in my departmental mailbox, along with a short note about
your experience as a writer and your hopes for this course.  Include
your phone number, e-mail and mailing addresses, and add a
self-addressed envelope if you want the sample back.  I will review
submissions weekly and post the results on my door (BH428) and with
the undergraduate secretary in BH402. 


I would be glad to discuss the course with prospective students.  If
you have questions, please contact me first by e-mail
(woodcock@indiana.edu). You might also consult the grapevine and/or my
version of it for an earlier version of the course, on the Web:
http://www.indiana.edu/~jaweng/syllabi/w301nf-grape.html