1. The next class will meet in CAS 310
2. If you have not done so already -- send me an email with your blog address from the account you want to use for the course. I will use this email account to be in touch and send comments on your writing.
WHAT WE DID IN CLASS:
Getting to know each other. Tonight was the first class and we started with introductions. Hopefully going through the class names and listening to classmates' stories gave you some ideas about who you are going to be working with. That way - as the blog list to the right is completed, you will have a face to go with the writing. I was struck by what serious storytellers you are - you went for "real" stories and told them with details and thoughtfulness. In some cases your observations and stories deserved much more validation and acknowledgement that I was able to give on the spur of the moment in class. I had lots to think about after class - and I am guessing you did, too. I am looking forward to reading your writing!
Syllabus, Calendar, and questions. We spent some time going over the course objectives, the general plan for the assignments, how grades will be calculated, and my "teaching philosophy." I know it was a lot all at once - pretty much impossible to remember it all - so if you have questions ASK - either in class (your classmates will thank you), by email or in person. I am on campus most of the day from M-Th - if you give me a heads up - I will make sure to be in my office so we can talk.
Blogs. During the second part of class you created a blog and sent me the address (url) for your blog. You will do your first post for next class (see below).
Essential features of creative nonfiction (CNF). If you are going to write CNF, you need to have an idea of what it is and what it does. What is its subject material (what do CNF writers write about)? What point of view do the authors take? How do they present information (is it told as a story? as a lecture/essay? like journalism? is it more like a sermon or a short story? which features does it have in common with those two forms?) During the last part of class we listed some possible characteristics that might serve to describe what creative nonfiction is and what it does. For your first blog post, you develop your own description. Maybe you will agree with some of the features we put on the board - but not others. You will use the model essays assigned under Readings as evidence of what CNF is and what it does. There is no right answer. What counts is your exploration. Have fun!
FOR NEXT CLASSS:
Read: Check out course blog + browse your text and read carefully: Beard, p. 3,"Out There," Marquart, p. 118, "Some things about that day," Lopate, p,107, "Portrait of my body," Ebert,p.258, "I think I'm musing my mind," (then check out a couple entries + comments on his blog http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/
Blog 1: Using the sample essays from your text - identify and discuss what you see as features of creative nonfiction, then make a list. What are the "essential" features? What are the sometimes there and sometimes not features? What are some of the differences between short and long forms?
And: Bring your writing journal to class!
We will begin next class with some journaling - and shared stories from your jourmals. You will have time IN CLASS to write in your jourmal. The general focus of the journal prompt is listed on the calendar. I will set up the writing - maybe by asking you to freewrite or list memories connected to taste, touch, smell - physical sensations + associations, and then you will (maybe/depending on what is important to you and your writing) will "write into" one of your thoughts/associations.
See you next week!
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