Course Objectives

1     Understanding principles and techniques that strengthen sentences, paragraphs, essays, stories and Capstone Projects

2     Grasping the power of the oldest rule in writing, “show, don’t tell”

3     Learning to think, observe and work as a writer, thus becoming a more discerning reader

4     Gaining a professional level of skill in grammar, syntax, punctuation and word usage, to produce publishable prose

Required Text:  Major Modern Essayists, Muller and Crooks, eds.  2^nd Edition.  Prentice Hall

Course Description

     This is a course designed to develop language and story-telling skills, meeting synchronously online in a workshop setting.  We will explore the dominion of the “oldest rule in writing,” the boundaries of stories and essays and the power of personal narrative in a world besieged by words.  Students must be willing to unlearn formulaic bromides, revisit elementary writing rules and befriend the delete key.  We will write 900 words of non-fiction each week, using material drawn from life and employing concepts discussed in class.  Some writing assignments are abstruse by design.  After taking apart published pieces to see how they work students will critique each other, plumbing intent as well as meaning, to further the goal of dramatically telling true stories.  If you make stuff up, we will know.

     Through reading, writing and discussion we will explore challenges and choices all writers must confront.  Issues and options entangling writers and their subject matter will be identified and debated.  Class participation is both encouraged and required.  Challenges inherent in the course material are accelerated by the summer schedule; unexcused absences will not be tolerated.  Success in writing, as in life, depends on developing moral and aesthetic values, with the instructor serving as gadfly and guide.

Prerequisite:  200-level English or the equivalent

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