SCHEDULE                            (HOME)

ENGL 399-B01: Creative Nonfiction   Summer Session B, 2007  George Mason University
Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30-7:10   Robinson A109

All of the information below is subject to change 

WEEK 1
Monday, June 4

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

Wednesday, June 6

Reading: Junot Diaz, “Fiesta 1980,” and Stephanie Vaughn, “Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog,” from the Scribner Anthology
Writing: 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 2
Monday, June 11

Reading: Part I ("The Farm") of Essays of E.B. White, pp. 3-86
Writing: Reading Response #2: What seems to be the difference between an "essay" and a "story"?

Wednesday, June 1

Reading: Toni Cade Bambara, "Raymond's Run," and Reginald McKnight, “The Kind of Light That Shines On Texas,” from the Scribner Anthology
Writing: Reading Response #3: Consider the way narrative is built in these and the other stories: How is forward momentum created and sustained; how is character delivered?

WEEK 3
Monday, June 18

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"
Writing: Reading Response #4: two full pages: How are these tales like essays? How are they like stories?
Writing: A chunk (2-3 pages) of nonfiction piece (essay or story) #1

Wednesday, June 20

Reading: From David Sedaris, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim: "Rooster at the Hitchin' Post" and "Baby Einstein"

NOTE: EMAIL FULL DRAFT OF YOUR NONFICTION SHORT STORY #1 TO GROUP MEMBERS BY FRIDAY, JUNE 22.

WEEK 4
Monday, June 25 

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

Wednesday, June 27 No class meeting: Conferences

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

WEEK 5
Monday, July 2

Reading: Selections from Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
Writing: Reading Response #5: What is the role of confession and revelation in Gilbert's work?

Wednesday, July 4 NO CLASS

WEEK 6
Monday, July 9

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

Wednesday, July 11

Reading: pp.91-as far as you get, Tobias Wolff, This Boy's Life
Writing: Reading Response #6

NOTE: EMAIL DRAFT OF NONFICTION PIECE #2 TO GROUP MEMBERS BY END OF FRIDAY, JULY 13

WEEK 7
Monday, July 16

Workshop: Nonfiction short story #2
DUE: Last chance to hand in revision

Wednesday, July 18 No class meeting: Conferences

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

WEEK 8
Monday, July 23

Writing: Reading Response #7: Playing favorites
Final thoughts, course evaluations, etc.

Wednesday, July 25  4:30 p.m.

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