Narrative Feature Writing
Spring 2014 - U48 Comm 340
6pm-830pm Thursday,
Cupples II 230
Great writing grabs readers
-- makes them feel something. Narrative feature writing distinguishes itself
with a blend of intensive reporting and elegant, engaging writing. Think of it
as nonfiction short story-telling. Students will read and discuss compelling
feature stories, learning from the craft's masters. Students will learn to
report and write their own feature stories, to develop their writing voice and
to see stories others miss.
Office
hours: Before or after class, or by appointment.
Texts
3. Next
Wave: America's New Generation of Great Literary Journalists, Sager and
Harrington ISBN: 1481160893
Grading
Grades
are based on written work, exam, attendance, and class participation. Effort
is prized. Papers are 35% of final grade, class participation 35%; class
reading is 25%; attendance is 5%.
There
will be 3 main writing assignments, with smaller writing assignments.
Deadlines
Papers
are due at the beginning of class on the due date. All papers should
be both e-mailed and turned in on paper -- double-line-spaced
(2x). Students receive one grace period -- that is, one paper can be up to a
day or two late. It's best not to use this time unless you have to. Save it for
an emergency. If you don't have a paper on the day its due, it's still
important to come to class.
Attendance
Attendance
is necessary.
Class discussion is essential to the course, enriching the experience for
both you and your fellow students. Since the class meets just once a week, all
absences must be excused. Arrangements will be made to allow the student to
make up missed classwork.
TENTATIVE
DATES-- Subject to much change
Week
1/Jan. 16 Introduction
and overview
Defining feature writing
Finding
good feature writing
For Week 2: read “Feature Writing” Chapter 1.
Week 2 /
Jan. 23 How reporting
features is different
Reporting for emotional details
Seeing the world through different eyes
Colors, tastes, smells
For Week 3: read “Feature
Writing” Chapter 2.
Week 3/Jan.
30 Feature article ideas, Where do they come from? Story
types
For
Week 4: read “Feature Writing” Chapter 3.
Week 4/Feb.
6 Finding your voice, Writing the personal essay
read “Feature Writing” Chapter 4.
Week 5 /
Feb. 13 The Art of the Interview & Profiles, How to listen
and how to really hear, What makes a
good profile?
For
Week 6: read “Feature Writing” Chapter 5.
Week 6 /
Feb. 20 Story Structure, Ladder of
Abstraction, Why thinking is more important than writing
Read “Feature Writing” Chapter 6.
Week 7 /
Feb. 27 Examining other feature types, Trend stories, Rule of 3,
How to identify, Brights and Funny Riffs
For
Week 8: read “Feature Writing” Chapter 7.
Week 8 /
March 6 Beginnings & Endings, Finding the right hook to keep
the reader, Kickers: Why it
matters more than leads
Due week 9: 1,000-2,000 word feature stories
For Week 9: read “Feature Writing” Chapter 9.
Week 9 /
March 13 SPRING BREAK
Week
10/March 20 Stalking the
feature story, How to avoid wasting time chasing bad
ideas
Week 11/March
27 Using
fiction techniques to tell true stories
What
the movies can teach us, How to grab readers' attention
Due week 11: revised smaller feature stories
Week 12/April
3 Injecting emotion into your stories
Week 13/April
10 Thinking the story through, Why the hardest work is done without a pen
Week 14 /
April 16 What other writers can teach us, Imitation, reverberation
and inspiration
Due week 14: Narrative/Feature Project
Week 14 /
April 23 Finding a market for your stories
Readings,
evaluations and future feature writing
Week 15 /
April 30 Narrative story workshop
Due
week 16: Revised Narrative/Feature Project
Academic
Integrity
All work
must be your original work. If you submit plagiarized material you will receive
an F for the assignment and potentially more serious consequences from the
university. Be certain that you appropriately cite the source for any material
not your own, whether that material comes from someone you interviewed, from a
published source, or from an online site.
Additionally,
this is a nonfiction course. Students should be prepared to provide
evidence to support the veracity of their work. (For example, contact
information for people quoted in assignments.)
Disability
services
Washington
University is committed to providing accommodations and/or services to students
with documented disabilities. Students who are seeking support for a disability
or a suspected disability should contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC)
at 314-935-4062, located in Cornerstone, Gregg Hall, http://disability.wustl.edu. The DRC is responsible
for approving and arranging all accommodations for students.
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