Storytelling from the Historical Record

Catalog description

This course focuses on how to turn sources from the historical record into stories people want to read. Students will learn how to conceptualize their research into a well-framed story with a plot, narrative arc and controlling idea. We will work on strategies for creating suspense and narrative tension. We will learn some of the key elements of character development, including how to build a cast of protagonists, antagonists, witnesses and supporting players. Throughout the course, we will read the works of historians who excel as storytellers. Significant class time will be devoted to workshopping drafts of our own stories. By the end of the semester, students will complete their own work of creative nonfiction.