Bergen Community College

Division of English
Department Of Composition and Literature

Course Syllabus

WRT 206: Memoir and Creative Nonfiction

Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Office Hours:

WRT-206: Memoir and Creative Nonfiction is a workshop course in which students

write memoir and creative non-fiction using such forms as essay, narrative, and poetry.
Students read and discuss each other’s work as well as that of published authors.
Three credits; Prerequisite: WRT-101

Learning Objectives
As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, you will be able to do the
following:
1. Recognize the special genre demands of memoir and creative nonfiction by reading
and discussing the work of published authors. (PLG 1, 2) (Gen Ed Goal 1a)
2. Utilize the elements of creative writing in the genres of essay and memoir. (PLG 7)
(Gen Ed Goal 1 a, b; 6 a, b)
3. Review publication conventions and apply standards of professional manuscript
preparation in revising and preparing drafts of work for classroom submission or
submission for publication. (PLG 4, 7) (Gen Ed Goal 1, a, b, c, d)
4. Employ critical approaches and exercise aesthetic sensibilities through interaction
with others in the workshop process. (PLG 3, 6) (Gen Ed Goal 1 c, d)
5. Locate and evaluate important writer resources such as publications, markets, and
continuing educational opportunities. (PLG 7) (Gen Ed Goal 4 a, b, c, d)

Course Requirements
You will be required to do the following:
1. Write and revise several works of memoir and creative nonfiction. (Meets student
learning objectives 1-3)
2. Practice poetic and narrative techniques through assigned exercises, which will be
reviewed during the semester by both the instructor and your peers.
(Meets student learning objectives 1, 2, 4)
3. Read, interpret, and analyze the craft of professional literary and model student
works.(Meets student learning objectives 1, 4)
4. Comprehend and apply various literary terms/techniques in discussion of
professional and student works. (Meets student learning objectives 1, 4)
5. Present various works in workshop and participate in the discussion of other
students’ work. (Meets student learning objective 1, 4)
 6. Participate in discussions and other class activities (visits of guest speakers, play
readings, evaluation of writer resources) that support the development of quality
work. (Meets student learning objectives (1,3, 4, 5)

Course Content
As a student in this course, you can expect to explore your creativity by practicing the
craft of writing memoir and creative nonfiction. Many of you have already done some
creative writing, but whether you are a practiced writer considering writing as a career or
are trying creative writing for the first time, this course will give you the opportunity to
work in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. As we read and discuss the work of
professional writers, we will note their techniques and see how various elements combine
to create good memoir and creative nonfiction pieces. You will apply this knowledge in
writing your own memoir and creative nonfiction. You will hone your critical skills and
benefit from receiving “audience” reaction by participating in workshops with your
fellow students. As you listen to, read and discuss the works of others, you will be
exposed to the diverse voices and worlds of the other students.

Course Texts and Other Required Materials

Instructor chooses material such as:

Perl, Sondra and Mimi Schwartz. Writing True: The Art and Craft of Creative

Nonfiction. Houghton Mifflin Company, (2006).

Photocopied selections of poetry, personal essays and memoirs/websites; a

A LiveJournal.com blog

Sample Grading Policy

A student’s final grade is based on his/her dedication to the creative process and the
quality of the work produced. A student’s participation and attendance are crucial
components of the grade.

Evaluation
Exercises 15%
Memory Piece 10%
Portrait Essay 10%
Trauma/Problem Essay 10%
Op-Ed Piece 10%
Individual Project 25%
Workshop 20%

Major assignments (memory piece, portrait essay, healing or problem-solving essay, Op-
Ed piece and an individual project in memoir/creative non-fiction) must be completed
and will be averaged in as a zero if missing. Exercises will comprise a smaller portion of
the grade, but as a group are significant. Letter grades will not be assigned—work will be
given a check (satisfactory) or perhaps a check plus (very good) or minus (not
satisfactory).

Individual Projects
Students will self-select their final major assignment. Some of the choices will include
memoir in narrative (or poetry), personal essay, a collection of “Short Shorts,” an article
that might appear in a magazine (travel, hobby etc.) and may include research if relevant
to the endeavor. These projects will be workshopped while in progress

BCC Attendance Policy

All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in
which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies as well as sanctions are to be
determined by the instructor for each section of the course. These will be established in
writing on the individual course guide outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor
for administrative and counseling purposes.

Suggested Attendance Policy

Attendance is critical. Excessive absence will result in grade penalty. If the class meets
once a week, more than two unexcused absences will result in a half-grade penalty; four
absences, a full-grade penalty. If the class meets twice a week, four unexcused absences
will result in a half-grade penalty; eight absences, a full grade. Lateness also affects your
grade; allow enough time to arrive on time. Two late’s = one absence.

BCC Policy on Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty and is a punishable offense. Plagiarism is

taking someone else’s words, opinions, or ideas and claiming them as one’s own. If a
student commits an act of plagiarism, the instructor has the authority to assign a failing
grade on the assignment or in some cases for the entire course. After two offenses, a
student may be suspended from the College.
Common examples of plagiarism are submitting a work taken from a free website or
using any materials—sentences, paragraphs, phrases or ideas from any source without
citing and identifying the source.
In creative writing, presenting another’s work, words, or experiences as your own is
unacceptable!

RESOURCES FOR WRITING:

Writing Center Supervisor: John Findura

L-125F
201-447-7136 www.bergen.edu/pages/7195.asp
Professional, peer and faculty tutors will guide students in all aspects of writing.

English Language Resource Center:

Ender Hall 126/201-612-5292 www.bergen.edu/pages/2182.asp
Supervisor: Marilyn Pongracz
Provides help to students whose native language is not English: tutoring, computer
programs, books, tapes, conversation groups and specialized workshops.
Mon. 9:30AM-6PM; Tues. 9:30AM-7:30PM; Wed. 9:30AM-7:30PM; Fri. 9:30AM-
3:00PM; Sat. 10AM-2PM.

Tutoring Center L-125/201-447-7489

Manager: Khairia Fazal [email protected]
Peer, professional tutors and faculty provide free individual and group tutoring.
Online tutoring through Smarthinking http://www.bergen.edu/pages/2196.asp
Walk-in hours: Mon. through Thursday: 9AM-8PM; Fri. and Sat. 10AM-3PM

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students who require accommodations in accordance with the Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA) can request these services from the Office of Specialized
Services. To learn more about how to apply for services, please visit them at
http://www.bergen.edu/oss.

Sample Course Guide

Week I (Sept. 7/9): Introduction to Course/name exercise
Assignment: Read Chapter 1: “Why Creative Non-fiction?”(1-19) Set up your
LiveJournal blog at www.livejournal.com

WEEK II (Sept. 14/16): David Sedaris “Let It Snow” (208)

Discussion of Workshopping (Value and Protocol) and exercise: “I Remember”
(from prompts).
Assignment: “Twenty Ways to Talk about Creative Nonfiction” (80-81) and
Chapter 6 “Workshopping a Draft” 85-105. Read Tony Earley’s “Somehow Form
a Family” 191-200. Edit your memory piece (minimum 500 words) and enter it
into your blog to share in workshop.

WEEK III (Sept. 21/23): Workshop/ Discussion of assignment readings/workshop of

memory pieces (poetry/narrative).
Assignment: Read Chapter 2 “The Power of the Notebook” (20); and Chapter 3
“Ten Ways to a Draft” (33). Read Portrait 263, Charles Simac “Dinner at Uncle
Boris” (271-275); Alice Steinbach “The Miss Dennis School of Writing” (275-
280; Susan Allen Toth “Going to the Movies” 280-283).

WEEK IV 9 (Sept. 28/30): Discuss Readings; Workshop; In-class Exercise “Portrait”

(Pieces from Threads)
Assignment: Read Chapter 4 “Taking Shape” (46). Complete your portrait
(500 word minimum) and put it into your blog for workshop.
WEEK V (October 5/7): Workshop on Portraits
Assignment: Read Chapter 5: Finding Voice (64+)
Read: Alice Walker’s “Beauty: When the Other Dancer Is the Self” (210)
Angela Balcita “Dumpling” (Handout from The Fourth Genre)

WEEK VI(Oct. 12/14): Discussion of Finding Voice, Writing and Healing, and Louise
DeSalvo
Readings: Hand-out “Unbroken” (Labyrinth) ; Excerpts from The Color of Water,
Girl Interrupted
Assignment: Work on piece on Healing/Working out a Problem (750 word
minimum).

WEEK VII (Oct. 19/21): Analyze Op-Ed Pieces; Workshop

Assignment: Read “The Craft of Revision” (106) Write Op-Ed piece

WEEK VIII (Oct. 26/28): Discuss Revision; Workshop

Assignment: Complete revisions on your work. Prepare: Folder I due Week IX.
Read “The Role of Research” 143; Read Short Shorts 363-374

WEEK IX (Nov. 2/4): Folder I due; Discuss “Short Shorts”; Discuss Research
and Defining the Individual Project
Assignment: Create a proposal of the individual project

WEEK X (Nov. 9/11): Workshop Project Proposals

Assignment: Work on Individual Projects/ Read “The Ethics of Creative
Nonfiction” 163

WEEK XI (Nov. 16/18): Discussion of Ethics and Markets (where to publish);Workshop

Assignment: Continue work on project. Find a market for a completed work,
prepare it for submission and after class review, send it). Markets may include
Labyrinth, The Torch and journals and magazines.

WEEK XII (Nov. 23/25): Review of Submissions; Workshop projects.

Assignment: Work on individual project. Read Chapter 8 “A Lighter Touch—Or
Other Ways to Tell a Story” (129). Mail Submission

WEEK XIII (Nov. 30/Dec. 2): Workshop of Individual Projects.

Assignment: Edit individual projects to hand in.

WEEK XIV (Dec. 7/9): Workshop of Individual.

Assignment: Individual Projects (Folder II)

WEEK XV(Dec. 14/16): Workshop; Project Folder II due

WEEK XVI (Dec. 21): Finish Workshop of Projects; Individual Conferences

The course schedule may be altered to adjust for guest speakers, class needs, unexpected
class cancellations etc.