Proseminar: Elements of the Writer’s Craft

Harvard Summer School

HUMA S-101

Section 1

CRN 34857

View Course Details
This is an intensive course in the craft and analysis of prose from a writer's perspective. The focus of this course is to teach prose writers how to read well. Students explore the potential and possibilities of different approaches to writing, and, by the end of the course, apply their close reading to their own fiction and nonfiction. The goal of this course is to build a deep understanding of key elements of craft through close reading and textual analysis of the work of master prose writers. We analyze the work of these writers, discussing how they employ structure, character, setting, dialogue, point of view, and other aspects of craft. Students write critically and creatively, both in class and out of class, about the works under discussion and about possible applications to their own creative writing. Students examine the conscious choices about craft that published writers make in order to fully realize a piece of writing.

Instructor Info

Anne Elliott, MFA


Meeting Info

TTh 8:30am - 11:30am (6/23 - 8/8)

Participation Option: Online Synchronous

Deadlines

Last day to register: June 17, 2025

Prerequisites

A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO S-42a is strongly recommended. Students in this course are expected to have a firm command of grammar, syntax, and prose composition, and to have read widely.

Notes

This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Not open to Secondary School Program students.

Syllabus

All Sections of this Course

CRN Section # Participation Option(s) Instructor Section Status Meets Term Dates
34857 1 Online Synchronous Anne Elliott Waitlisted TTh 8:30am - 11:30am
Jun 23 to Aug 8
26854 1 Online Synchronous Leah De Forest Open Th 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Jan 26 to May 16
17410 1 Online Synchronous Bryan Delaney Open M 11:00am - 1:00pm
Sep 2 to Dec 20
15449 2 Online Synchronous Anne Elliott Open T 11:00am - 1:00pm
Sep 2 to Dec 20
27022 2 Online Synchronous Lindsay Mitchell Open F 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Jan 26 to May 16
25074 3 Online Synchronous Elisabeth McKetta Open MW 12:15pm - 2:45pm
Jan 26 to Mar 14
17364 3 Online Synchronous Lindsay Mitchell Open Th 5:10pm - 7:10pm
Sep 2 to Dec 20
17350 4 Online Synchronous Katie Kohn Open Th 7:40pm - 9:40pm
Sep 2 to Dec 20
15538 5 Online Synchronous Elisabeth McKetta Open MW 12:30pm - 2:45pm
Oct 27 to Dec 20