ENC3310 - Fall 2025 - Selby

Derived from the French verb essai (to attempt) the essay is a dynamic form of writing, flexible enough to contain many questions about both the self and the wider world, as well as their connections. In this class, we will read a diverse array of essays written by writers well-known and obscure, modern and foundational,, Traditional and genre-bending- exploring the texts in ways that inspire and generate one's own writing. We will also write in ways that are responsive and free-flowing, focusing on the practices of writing, reflection, and feedback. Whether you see yourself as a nonfiction writer or not, you'll be surprised at what this genre has to offer when it comes to self-expression and discovery.