Ten Keys to Nonfiction Prose

Ten weeks, ten keys. Each week, we’ll explore one essential element of creative nonfiction: story arc, research strategies, first-person narrator, sense of place, strong characters and scenes and dialogue, compelling theme, self-editing, and that elusive thing called “style.” Short readings by master writers ranging from Aristotle to Alexandra Fuller to Alice Walker will guide our work. All nonfiction genres, from literary journalism to lyric essay, are welcome. Each class session includes discussion of readings and techniques, as well as in-class and take-home writing exercises. This is not a workshop; we won’t share or critique our writing.