Lee Anderson
Teaching
Fiction Writing Workshop
An introduction to writing fiction, learning both generative and revision techniques. Students kept journals, workshopped in small and large groups, read ravenously, and gave regular, consistent feedback for one another, committing to practice and compassion while learning through the pandemic. Student favorite stories included "17776" by Jon Bois, "Mothers Lock Up Your Daughters Because They Are Terrifying" by Alice Sola Kim, "Man on the Stairs" by Miranda July, and excerpts from "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat.
The Academic Writers Workshop
A dip into creative nonfiction for non-writers. Students practiced introspection, learned investigative research strategies, studied rhetorical strategies for persuasion, and wove description and fact into narratives. Student favorite readings included "Caramel" by Krys Malcolm Belc, "Flight Behavior" by Amy Butcher, and "If the Ferret Crosses the Road" by Lawrence Lenhart.
Introduction to Composition
A mandatory freshman course made relevant. Students studied rhetorical devices and logical fallacies; learned media literacy and critical thinking skills; sharpened grammatical practices; practiced outlining, drafting, and revision; and wrote in a wide variety of modes, lengths, and voices from personal to analytical. While we didn't read as much in this course, students always loved and took a lot from "Shitty First Drafts," an excerpt from Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.