TWSA150
Creative Non-Fiction 1
How do you go from this thing that happened to a compelling piece of creative non-fiction?
In this introductory course, you will explore the various forms of creative non-fiction and the tools you need to write them effectively. Learn how to use research, interviews and your own memories to generate material, and then shape that material into a compelling piece of prose. Alongside these essential elements of the writers' toolbox, we will delve into the ethical implications of writing in the non-fiction genre, including the challenges that go with sharing personal stories and a writer's responsibility to the truth.
This course includes plenty of hands-on writing exercises to keep your pen moving, the opportunity to give and receive feedback on works in progress, and a reading list to keep you inspired long after the course is over.
It happened. We can help you write about it.
Workshopping and feedback: This course includes instructor feedback on weekly assignments. You'll also submit two pieces for workshopping and receive written feedback from your instructor and other students. In turn, you'll provide feedback to your classmates, and benefit your own writing by seeing feedback on others' work.
Overview
Location: Online
Format: Self-paced within deadlines set by instructor
Duration: 10 weeks
Tuition: $628.95
You may also be interested in:
The Writer's Studio
Upcoming Offerings
- Wed, Sep 25 (self-paced all week)
- Wed, Oct 2 (self-paced all week)
- Wed, Oct 9 (self-paced all week)
- Wed, Oct 16 (self-paced all week)
- Wed, Oct 23 (self-paced all week)
- Wed, Oct 30 (self-paced all week)
- Wed, Nov 6 (self-paced all week)
- Wed, Nov 13 (self-paced all week)
- Wed, Nov 20 (self-paced all week)
- Wed, Nov 27 (self-paced all week)
What you will learn
By the end of the course, you will be able to do the following:
- Identify the most common forms of creative non-fiction and incorporate formal considerations into your own writing
- Use memory, research and interviews to generate writing material
- Shape material into compelling prose while taking into consideration ethical standards and factual accuracy
- Give and receive effective feedback on your work-in-progress
- Maintain an ongoing reading practice and use your reading to inspire your writing
How you will learn and be evaluated
- Read weekly modules
- Complete additional weekly reading (if assigned)
- Complete a writing assignment each week for feedback from the instructor
- Participate in weekly discussions based on readings and activities
- Read and provide feedback on other students' work each week
- Submit two pieces of your own writing for feedback from the instructor and other students
This course is graded using a competency-based grading scale.
Learning Materials
Course fees do not include textbooks. We encourage you to purchase from your local independent bookstore or the sources listed below.
Required textbook:
Warland, Betsy. Breathing the Page: Reading the Act of Writing. Cormorant Books, 2010. ISBN-10: 1897151780, ISBN-13: 978-1897151785. Available for purchase from Iron Dog Books (Vancouver) or Indigo.
Technical Requirements
For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.