Writer and critic Phillip Lopate has called the essay "the self-interrogative form,” because it is the ideal form for finding out what you think about something, and why. The personal essay allows us to look at matters both big and small through the tight focus of our own ideas, questions, and experiences. We can go for weighty matters: what have our lives taught us about love, say, or fear, injustice, or redemption? The small, mundane, and ephemeral provide plenty of material, too, for they can be placed within a wider social, historical, or emotional context. (As for me, I keep wanting to figure out why are there so many dead mothers and/or distant and angry fathers in Disney movies -- and why I care.)

Although the personal essay is by definition based on the writer’s opinions and experiences, it is not a diary entry or a blog posting. At its best, it is as carefully crafted as fiction or literary journalism. A good deal of our attention in this class, therefore, will be directed to technique, i.e., how the authors of our readings shape their essays through structure, point of view, and the use of dialogue and descriptive detail. We’ll then try our hand at applying those techniques to inform our own writing.            

We’ll also practice revision. Revision goes far beyond checking grammar and spelling, or changing the order of your paragraphs. Revision is seeing whether you said what you meant -- or if you still mean it, now that you’ve written it. Some say that essay writing is learning to have an idea. I would add that essay writing is finding out what happens when you take that idea for a walk.

Although I can’t hold regular office hours, given the variety of our schedules, I’m happy to talk with you about your work after class, over the phone, or by email, at any time convenient for both of us. Just call or email me beforehand so we can set up a time. My home phone number is (860) 344 0516 (please, no calls after 9:30 pm, and, if you want me to receive the message, don’t leave it with my children. My cell phone is (860) 214 1906. You can email me anytime, and it’s the best way to reach me: ebobrick@wesleyan.edu.

Instead of giving a letter grade to weekly assignments, I write editorial comments. I do this because I find that letter grades for writing don’t give enough information, or even the right kind of information. As noted above, you may meet with me by request to talk about your work. You may also ask that an individual paper or two be given a grade so that we can discuss my expectations for your work. I will also give you written mid-term assessments, and you should feel free to discuss these with me if you like.

Of course, I am required to give you a final grade. I will make sure that you know in good time the standards according to which I hand out grades.

For purposes of evaluation, it is essential that each student keep a (non-electronic) portfolio of his/her work with my comments. I review this portfolio at the end of the semester to gauge progress and refresh my memory of your work. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of holding onto your papers with my comments. I won’t be able to assess your work properly without them.                

The final grade will be calculated as follows:
            Participation in class discussion and exercises:               40%
            Writing assignments:                                                      45%
            Final writing project:                                                     15%

 The final writing project (topic to be decided before classes and in consultation with me) should be 8 - 10 pages in length, and should be either new work or radical revisions. Late submission may affect the final grade, according to GLSP guidelines.

Except for the final project, any and every assignment may be revised as often as you like, or at my request.

As a rule, you will be assigned one essay or one revision a week, depending on the extent your previous essay requires. The topics will sometimes be assigned, and sometimes left up to you. Essays should be as long as you need, but generally two to three pages. They must be printed double-spaced, numbered, with your name on each page.

You will also be assigned and one or two readings for each class meeting. Essays are short, no longer than twenty pages, and most much shorter than that. You will also be asked to read one or two essays written by your classmates and provide brief written comments.

We will devote at least two classes entirely to reading work aloud, and at the end of the semester will stage a festive reading open to whomever you wish to invite.

Always (really, always) do the reading before starting the writing. The readings are meant to serve as inspirations and models for the writing assignments. Please bring assigned reading with you to class, and always bring a printed copy of any writing assignment due that day, along with your entire portfolio.

The Boys of My Youth, Jo Ann Beard 

Course packet (availability TBA, required); also , occasional supplements handed out in class  or sent to you via email, or posted on the class webpage.