English 291 - Lakes Writing Workshop: Tell Me a Story: The Power and Purpose of Narrative Writing

An intermediate-level workshop in which writers develop their skills through intensive reading, writing, revising, and critique. Topic changes annually. Emphasis on narrative writing, broadly defined to include a variety of genres, depending on the interests of the current holder of the Lakes writing residency. Writing sample and permission of the instructor are required. Enrollment limited to 12: What are the principles of great narrative writing? Who are the great narrative non-fiction writers and why does their work matter? In this course, students read and write narrative non-fiction and hear from some of the country's best narrative writers. Among the journalists, essayists, novelists, and poets we will read: Susan Orleans (The New Yorker), Stephanie McCrummen (The Washington Post), Dan Barry (New York Times), Rebecca Solnit, Marilynne Robinson, Mary Oliver, and Louise Gluck. Four reported stories will be required, the last a long-form narrative developed throughout the semester. (E)

Writing Sample Required.