SCHEDULE                            (HOME)

ENGL 399-002: Creative Nonfiction   Fall 2007  George Mason University
Fridays 10:30-1:15   Innovation Hall 319

All of the information below is subject to change 

WEEK 1  Friday, August 31

Introduction to course, course books, writing assignments, schedules, and so on
Reading: Stuart Dybek, "Pet Milk,” from Scribner anthology

WEEK 2 Friday, September 7

Reading: Toni Cade Bambara, "Raymond's Run"; Junot Diaz, “Fiesta 1980”; and Stephanie Vaughn, “Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog,” from the Scribner Anthology
Writing due: Reading Response #1: What about these stories seems "nonfictiony" to you? If you weren't told whether they were fiction or nonfiction, why would you believe they might be nonfiction?

WEEK 3 Friday, September 14

Reading: Charles Baxter, "Gryphon"; Reginald McKnight, “The Kind of Light That Shines On Texas”; and Joyce Carol Oates, "Ghost Girls," from the Scribner Anthology
Writing due: Reading Response #2: Consider the way narrative is built in these and the other stories: How is forward momentum created?
Writing due: Reading Response #3: Consider the presentation of people in these and the other stories: How is character delivered?

WEEK 4  Friday, September 21

Reading: Part I ("The Farm") of Essays of E.B. White, pp. 3-86
Writing due: Reading Response #4: What seems to be the difference between an "essay" and a "story"?

WEEK 5 Friday, September 28

Reading: From David Sedaris, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim: "The Ship Shape," "Full House," "The Change in Me," "The Girl Next Door," "Repeat After Me," "Rooster at the Hitchin' Post," and "Baby Einstein"
Writing due: Reading Response #5: How are these tales like essays? How are they like stories?
Writing due: A chunk (2-3 pages) of nonfiction piece (essay or story) #1

WEEK 6 Friday, October 5

Reading: Selections from Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
Writing due: Reading Response #6: What is the role of confession and revelation in Gilbert's work?

NOTE: EMAIL FULL DRAFT OF YOUR NONFICTION PIECE #1 TO GROUP MEMBERS BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 8.

WEEK 7 Friday, October 12

In-class Workshop: Nonfiction piece (essay or story) #1

WEEK 8  Friday, October 19 No class meeting: Conferences

Due at conference: One-page "Workshop Response" as follow-up to Monday's group meetings

WEEK 9 Friday, October 26

Reading: From Best American Essays 2007: W.S. Di Piero, "Fathead's Hard Times," p. 62; Daniel Orozco, "Shakers," p. 158; Molly Peacock, "Passion Flowers in Winter," p. 174; Jerald Walker, "Dragon Slayers," p. 281
Writing due: Reading Response #7: How do these essays (one or more of them) expand your idea of what constitutes "personal nonfiction"?

WEEK 10  Friday, November 2

Reading: pp. 1-91, Tobias Wolff, This Boy's Life
Writing due: A chunk (2-3 pages) of nonfiction piece #2

WEEK 11 Friday, November 9

Reading: pp.91-end, Tobias Wolff, This Boy's Life
Writing due: Reading Response #8: Ask your own question, provide your own answer. (The question and answer have to deal with Tobias Wolff's writing, of course.)

NOTE: EMAIL FULL DRAFT OF NONFICTION PIECE #2 TO GROUP MEMBERS BY END OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12

WEEK 12 Friday, November 16

Workshop: Nonfiction short story #2

WEEK 13 Friday, November 23 No class meeting: Thanksgiving break

Writing due by MONDAY afternoon: Last chance to hand in optional revision of nonfiction piece #1 for line-editing

WEEK 14 Friday, November 30 No class meeting: Conferences

Due at conference: One-page "Workshop Response" as follow-up to Monday's group meetings

WEEK 15 Friday, December 7

Writing: Reading Response #9: Playing favorites
Final thoughts, course evaluations, etc.

Friday, December 14  1:00 p.m.

DUE: Final versions of nonfiction pieces #1 and #2