LITT08014 2019 Writing and Practice 5
This module is an introduction to creative nonfiction. Students will read and write across a broad range of prose works including personal essays, profiles, travel writing, nature and environmental writing, journalism, narrative essays, observational or descriptive essays, general-interest technical writing, argumentative or idea-based essays, social criticism, general-interest criticism, as well as cultural and literary journalism. Students consider accuracy and fact versus fiction as they utilise creative means to express factual content.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Demonstrate understanding of the processes and methods involved in the creation of nonfictional writing
Conduct primary research for nonfiction writing
Self-edit and critique the work of others
Produce appropriately structured and formulated pieces of nonfictional writing in at least three different forms or genres
Develop and demonstrate ethical and reflective practice in the production of nonfiction texts
Teaching and Learning Strategies
The teachng and learning strategy in this module is varied and includes mini-lectures, seminar discussion, presentaiton of work and critique.
Module Assessment Strategies
The assessment strategy in this module is to give learners opportunities to start writing across multiple disciplines.
Early Drafts of Brief Essays: 30%
Workshop Participation and response to reading (work of peers and assigned reading): 30%
Final Portfolio: 40%
Repeat Assessments
repeat project assigned
Indicative Syllabus
Introduction to creative non-fiction
What is narrative or creative nonfiction?
The New Journalism
Fnding a subject
The essay
Reporting
Conducting Interviews
Immersion journalism vs. recreation of scenes
Social critique/activism
Memoir
Travel writing
Environmental writing
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brief essasys/articles | Coursework Assessment | Assignment | 30 % | OnGoing | 1,2,3,4,5 |
2 | Workshop participation/response | Coursework Assessment | Performance Evaluation | 30 % | OnGoing | 1,3,5 |
3 | Portfolio of three genres | Coursework Assessment | Assignment | 40 % | End of Term | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Full Time Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Workshop / Seminar | Flat Classroom | Seminar/Workshop | 5 | Weekly | 5.00 |
Module Resources
The Dublin Review
The Irish Times
The Paris Review
Harpers
Baldwin, James. Notes of a Native Son (collection of essays by noted African-American writer)
Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood
Didion, Joan. The Year of Magical Thinking
DuBois, W.E. B. The Souls of Black Folk. A classic meditation on race in America.
Ehrenreich, Barbara. Nickeled and Dimed
Fadiman, Anne. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.
Fuller, Alexandra. Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight
Hampl, Patricia. I Could Tell You Stories.
Hersey, John. Hiroshima.
Karr, Mary. The Liar’s Club.
Kincaid, Jamaica. A Small Place.
Kingsolver, Barbara. High Tide in Tucson
Kingston, Maxine Hong. China Men and The Woman Warrior.
Maathai, Wangari. Unbowed.
McPhee, John. Coming Into the Country.
Nabokov, Vladimir. Speak, Memory.
Skloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
Sullivan, John Jeremiah. Pulphead: Essays. Farrar, Strays & Giroux, 2011
Wallace, David Foster. Consider the Lobsters.
Wolff, Tobias. This Boy’s Life. Remembrances of a boyhood, abusive stepfather.
Wright, Richard. Black Boy. African-American boyhood and politics.