For seniors working on special projects or senior theses. Each student will devote the term to completing the draft of a unified manuscript–typically 75 pages of fiction or creative nonfiction, 50 pages of criticism, 30 pages of poetry, or a lengthy translation project. Each week, the class will critique individual manuscripts-in-progress. These peer critiques will be supplemented with multiple individual meetings with the instructor over the course of the term. Additionally, students will read and discuss three books–one collection of poems (Some Ether by Nick Flynn), one book of short stories (Jesus’ Son by Denis Johnson), and one short book of creative nonfiction (The Balloonists by Eula Biss)–in order to consider the various strategies poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers employ in putting together a full-length manuscript. Projects will be completed by the end of the term.

There will be one group meeting per week. In addition, each member of the class will have individual meetings with the instructor during the course of the term.

Students are not allowed to take more than one Reading and Writing course per term.

Corequisite: Students will be required to attend Wednesday literary evenings.