This is your final project for ENG 3315. The proposal for this work is due on March 7th, and the rough drafts will be due in late March and early...

This is your final project for ENG 3315. The proposal for this work is due on March 7th, and the rough drafts will be due in late March and early April, as outlined above. Implementing the techniques and devices we'll study in the various modes of literary journalism, you will compose a six-to-eight page profile of a person related to your major and/or the professional field you wish to enter. This is NOT to resemble a biography; it is to be a work of literary nonfiction—more specifically, a work of reportage (or literary journalism) that, as Lincoln Steffens once wrote, endeavors to represent its subject "so humanely that the reader will see himself in the other fellow's place."

Essentially, this assignment requires you to gather information through online (and/or print-based) research, interview, and observation. The last two elements are obvious and require a good deal of planning - you'll need to ask that person questions and observe him/her on the job - so you need to start planning now.

We will discuss various characteristics of literary journalism (I may also occasionally refer to it as creative non-fiction or the "eye" essay - as opposed to the personal narrative/"I" essay we composed for Major Assignment 1) in class in the coming weeks. We will also study examples of quality literary journalism and practice it in class as well. As such, participation in class exercises will be key in understanding how to go about constructing this essay. In short, be here regularly and on time - your journals will be your best friend as we begin work on this essay.

The proposal, each draft, participation in workshops (both giving and receiving feedback through various formats) and the final draft will combine to make up the final grade for this project.