English 301NN - Narrative Nonfiction

Exceptional works of nonfiction will guide us as we weigh the challenges of building energetic narratives out of small mountains of facts. Story development, research, structure, 'voice,' and the translation of specialized language into accessible prose will be our focus throughout. Students will read widely, dipping into the best work now in print; yet the core endeavor will be to produce two original works of nonfiction at magazine length. Workshops, peer-edits and individual meetings will help students move toward powerful writing aimed to shape--and perhaps even reshape--readers' understanding of a corner of the world.

Course limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors; Prereq: English 202.