Creative Nonfiction: Workshop
ENGLISH CNFR
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
Whether it takes the form of literary journalism, essay, memoir, or environmental writing, creative nonfiction is a powerful genre that allows writers to break free from the constraints commonly associated with nonfiction prose and reach for the breadth of thought and feeling usually accomplished only in fiction: the narration of a vivid story, the probing of a complex character, the argument of an idea, or the evocation of a place. Students will work on several short assignments to hone their mastery of the craft, then write a longer piece that will be workshopped in class and revised at the end of the term. We will take instruction and inspiration from published authors such as Joan Didion, James Baldwin, Ariel Levy, Alexander Chee, and Virginia Woolf. This is a workshop-style class intended for undergraduate and graduate students at all levels of experience. No previous experience in English Department courses is required.
Class Notes
Admission by application only. For information on specific application requirements and instructions, please see the full course listing on the English Department website. DEADLINE: for all Spring 2026 workshops, applications will open by Wednesday, October 22 and are due via Submittable by 11:59pm on Sunday, November 9. Students will be notified of admissions decisions by 4:00pm ET on Thursday, November 13, and must accept/claim their seats within 24 hours. Workshops will meet the first week of classes.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
