ENGL 309-001: Introduction to Non-Fiction Writing   Spring Semester, 2005  George Mason University
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:30-2:45   Robinson B124

All of the information below is subject to change.  Readings and assignments may be added or their schedules shifted.

WEEK 1
Monday, January 24
Introduction to course, course books, writing assignments, schedules, and so on and so on.

Wednesday, January 26  DUE: Writing Memoir
Non-fiction writing: What is it?  What isn't it?  What is its relation to fiction, memoir, journalism, etc.?
Reading Responses and Exercises explained

WEEK 2
Monday, January 31  DUE: Reading Response #1: Six questions
"Introduction" and "Editor's Preface" to The Fun of It  (do NOT skip these--they are important)
"Runouts, Kickouts, and Popouts at Gilgo Beach" by James Stevenson, pp. 234-236, The Fun of It
"The Shit-Kickers of Madison Avenue" by Lillian Ross, pp. 402-405, The Fun of It

Wednesday, February 2  DUE: Reading Response #2: One writer, three pieces
"The Smell" by John Seabrook, pp. 386-388, The Fun of It
"Cyberspace has a V.I.P. Lounge, Too" by John Seabrook, pp. 395-397, The Fun of It
"Elegy for a Parking Space" by John Seabrook, pp. 426-427, The Fun of It

WEEK 3
Monday, February 7  DUE: Exercise #1
"Rockefeller Center Ho!" by John Updike, pp. 175-177, The Fun of It
"Scouting" by Susan Orlean, pp. 384-385, The Fun of It
"Talk of Washington" assignment explained

Wednesday, February 9  DUE: Exercise #2
"After Midnight" by William Finnegan, pp. 406-408, The Fun of It

WEEK 4
Monday, February 14   DUE: Exercise #3
"Monster Trucks and Mud Bogs" by Ian Frazier, pp. 326-328, The Fun of It

Wednesday, February 16  DUE: Reading Response #3: Memorable detail
In class:  Memorable details and (perhaps) sample Exercises for Delight and Edification

WEEK 5
Monday, February 21 and Wednesday, February 23  Conferences
DUE at conference: Draft of "Talk of Washington" piece

WEEK 6
Monday, February 28  
Longer pieces explained and discussed [SNOW DAY--partial class]

Wednesday, March 2
Longer pieces explained and discussed, continued
SKIM these four articles:
"Skating Home Backwards," pp. 36-49, BAMW 2001  Personal Essay
"The Maria Problem" pp. 24-35, BAMW 2001   Cultural Commentary
"Horseman, Pass By" pp. 32-75, BAMW 2003   Feature Story
"The Ghost," pp. 294-319, BAMW 2001  Profile
Assignment of "On the Rez" Reading Response

WEEK 7
Monday, March 7  DUE: Reading Response #4: Research methods
"On the Rez" by Ian Frazier

Wednesday, March 9  DUE: Second draft of "Talk of Washington" piece
"Skating Home Backwards," pp. 36-49, BAMW 2001  Personal Essay
"The Maria Problem" pp. 24-35, BAMW 2001   Cultural Commentary

WEEK 8
Monday, March 14  and Wednesday, March 16 

NO CLASS -- Spring Break

WEEK 9  
Monday, March 21  DUE: Reading Response #5: Approaches to intensely personal material
"Moonrise," pp. 34-61, BAMW 2002
"My Father's Brain," 130-159, BAMW 2002

Wednesday, March 23  NO CLASS
DUE via e-mail: Longer piece #1 (Personal essay, essay, or cultural commentary) proposal

WEEK 10
Monday, March 28  DUE: Reading Response #6: Genre-bending
"Mail," by Anne Fadiman, BAMW 2001, p. 228
"Eminem: A Fan's Notes," by Terrence Rafferty, BAMW 2002, p. 120

Wednesday, March 30
"Horseman, Pass By" pp. 32-75, BAMW 2003   Feature Story
"The Ghost," pp. 294-319, BAMW 2001  Profile

WEEK 11
Monday, April 4  and Wednesday, April 6 

Conferences (Bring all materials and drafts for first longer piece)
DUE via e-mail before conference: Longer piece #2 (Feature story, reportage, or profile) proposal

WEEK 12
Monday, April 11 DUE: Draft of first longer piece

Wednesday, April 13  DUE: Writing Responses
In class: Workshops on drafts of first longer piece

WEEK 13
Monday, April 18
"The Weasel, Twelve Monkeys, and the Shrub" BAMW 2001

Wednesday, April 20
In class: non-fiction inventory of Sunday 4/17/05 Washington Post
DUE: Draft of first longer piece for provisional grade (By Friday)

WEEK 14
Monday, April 25  DUE: Draft of second longer piece

Wednesday, April 27  DUE: Workshop response writing
Workshops on drafts of second longer piece

WEEK 15

Monday, May 2  DUE: Reading Response #7: Playing favorites

Wednesday, May 4  DUE: Final Version of Talk of Washington piece (via e-mail)
Last items, course evaluations

WEEK 16
Wednesday, May 11

DUE by 1:30 p.m.: Finished version of first longer piece, second longer piece, revisions of exercise