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ENGL 399-002: Creative Nonfiction   Fall 2008  George Mason University
Thursdays, 7:20-10:00 Krug Hall 5
Scott W. Berg

All of the information below is subject to change. Reading response assignments will be added as we approach them.

WEEK 1 

Thursday, August 28

Introduction to course, course books, writing assignments, schedules, and so on
Reading: Stuart Dybek, "Pet Milk" (print out and bring to class)

WEEK 2

Thursday, September 4

Reading: Junot Diaz, “Fiesta 1980,” and Stephanie Vaughn, “Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog"
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? How does a writer construct a sense of reality?

WEEK 3 Thursday, September 11

Three pieces from The Washington Post Magazine, Summer Reading Issue 2008: "Real Life," by Julia Glass; "My Explosion," by Jonathan Safran Foer; "Splendid Isolation," by Cheryl Strayed
Writing due: Reading response #2: Write a response (2 full pages, double-spaced, normal fonts and margins) discussing one aspect of one or more of the stories that can teach you something as a writer. What technique, or element of style, or general skill, most caught your eye? In your response, be sure you show me parts of the story that illustrate your point.

WEEK 4  Thursday, September 18

Reading: From David Sedaris, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim: "The Ship Shape," "Full House," "The Change in Me"
Reading: Selections from Christina Thompson, Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All: A New Zealand Story

WEEK 5 Thursday, September 25 (Fall for the Book)

7:30, Dewberry Hall (reception at 6:30): Christina Thompson, Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All: A New Zealand Story

WEEK 6 Thursday, October 2

Reading: From David Sedaris, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim: "The Girl Next Door," "Repeat After Me," "Rooster at the Hitchin' Post," and "Baby Einstein"
Writing due: A chunk (3 full pages from beginning, middle, or end) of nonfiction short story #1

NOTE: EMAIL FULL DRAFT OF YOUR NONFICTION SHORT STORY #1 TO GROUP MEMBERS BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 5.

WEEK 7 Thursday, October 9

In-class Workshop: Nonfiction short story #1

WEEK 8  Thursday, October 16 NO CLASS MEETING: CONFERENCES

Due at conference: 1-page "workshop response" as follow-up to Monday's group meetings

WEEK 9 Thursday, October 23

Reading: Courtney Brkic, The Stone Fields: Love and Death in the Balkans

WEEK 10  Thursday, October 30

Reading: pp. 1-91, Tobias Wolff, This Boy's Life
Writing due: A chunk (3 full pages) of nonfiction short story #2
In class: Discussion of This Boy's Life, followed by group meetings

WEEK 11 Thursday, November 6

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

NOTE: EMAIL FULL DRAFT OF NONFICTION SHORT STORY #2 TO GROUP MEMBERS BY END OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10

WEEK 12 Thursday, November 13

Workshop: Nonfiction short story #2
Before workshop: Sign up for second conference

WEEK 13 Thursday, November 20 NO CLASS MEETING: CONFERENCES

Writing due by MONDAY afternoon: Last chance to hand in optional revision of nonfiction short story #1 for my close editing
Due at conference: 1-page "workshop response" as follow-up to Monday's group meetings

WEEK 14 Thursday, November 27 NO CLASS MEETING: THANKSGIVING BREAK

WEEK 15 Thursday, December 4

Writing: Reading Response: Playing favorites -- Who was your favorite writer this semester, and why?
Final thoughts, course evaluations, etc.

Thursday, December 11 7:30pm

DUE: Final versions of nonfiction short stories #1 and #2; all returned Reading Responses