OWC 203 A — Memoir I: Themes and Scenes
Quarter: Winter
Instructor(s): Daniel White
Date(s): Jan 13—Mar 17
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Tuesdays
Grade Restriction: Letter grade only
Class Meeting Time: 6:00—7:15 pm (PT)
Tuition: $1240
Refund Deadline: Jan 15
Unit(s): 2
Enrollment Limit: 14
Status: Closed
Quarter: Winter
Day: Tuesdays
Duration: 10 weeks
Time: 6:00—7:15 pm (PT)
Date(s): Jan 13—Mar 17
Unit(s): 2
Tuition: $1240
Refund Deadline: Jan 15
Instructor(s): Daniel White
Grade Restriction: Letter grade only
Enrollment Limit: 14
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Closed
This course is not open to the public, but rather by admission only. For more information on the Writing Certificate Program and is application process, please click here.
The focus of this course is on crafting compelling memoir openings. Through close analysis of a variety of published memoirs, we will assess the impact of various strategies for beginning personal narrative. We will examine both prologues and first chapters, studying how they engage readers while revealing underlying themes. Reading assignments, structured discussions and thought-provoking prompts will nurture the development of vivid scenes, enabling you to generate content without needing to structure your entire memoir yet. Seeking to uncover the central theme of your story will provide you with a guiding principle as you continue to select material to include. You will finish this course with an intentionally crafted beginning and a collection of thematically connected scenes.
The focus of this course is on crafting compelling memoir openings. Through close analysis of a variety of published memoirs, we will assess the impact of various strategies for beginning personal narrative. We will examine both prologues and first chapters, studying how they engage readers while revealing underlying themes. Reading assignments, structured discussions and thought-provoking prompts will nurture the development of vivid scenes, enabling you to generate content without needing to structure your entire memoir yet. Seeking to uncover the central theme of your story will provide you with a guiding principle as you continue to select material to include. You will finish this course with an intentionally crafted beginning and a collection of thematically connected scenes.
DANIEL WHITE
Author
Daniel White is the author of Under the Stars: How America Fell in Love with Camping and The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind—and Almost Found Myself—on the Pacific Crest Trail. His writing has appeared in Outside, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. He has taught writing at Columbia and San Jose State and in classes associated with Catamaran Literary Reader. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.