Art of the Everyday Experience

There is much to learn about writing from the world around us—recipes, instruction manuals, ad copy, web content, song lyrics, wedding announcements, and TV shows—as well as fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. In this intermediate expository writing course, we will look at how the ordinary material we encounter every day can be transformed into something extraordinary. We will read, analyze, and write a variety of texts, paying close attention to audience, genre, content, and style. Requirements include a writing journal, class presentation, short writing assignments, three essays, and a portfolio of revisions. Participation is key: Students are expected to supply example texts, read those provided by the instructor, contribute to class discussions, and give constructive writing feedback to peers.