Down the Rabbit Hole: Experiments in Research - Online

Often research is thought of as a means of building an argument, but what about when it works as poetry, or to build character, or to jump start new creative ideas? In this workshop we'll explore readings and prompts that use research innovatively, dipping into archives, found materials, and multimedia. The course will combine group discussions, breakout rooms, prompt-driven writing sessions, and independent offline exploration. Whether experimenting with prose poems, "braided" essays, or narrative nonfiction, participants will leave with a toolbox of techniques for both inspiration and information, as well as a drafted essay.

Erica Berry has taught writing at Literary Arts, the University of Minnesota, the New York Times Student Journeys, and as the 2019-2020 Writer-in-Residence with the National Writer Series in Traverse City, MI. Her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and named Notable in Best American Essays 2019 and 2020, and appears in publications such as The Guardian, The Yale Review, The NYT Magazine, The Atlantic, and others. Her first nonfiction book will be published by Flatiron/MacMillan in 2022. She loves teaching students of all experience levels, only curiosity is required.

• Notebook and pen or other means for writing digitally

• Laptop/device for internet research

Optional:

• Any specific materials you are hoping to delve into for research (i.e. historic maps, photographs, diaries, reference books, encyclopedias, etc.)

• Digital hub with accessible writing prompts

• PDFs of readings

• Web resources