What a Moment Holds: Essays that Capture a Spark (V)

Writer Abigail Thomas calls them "the shock of truth" or "moments that feel like body blows"—moments that happen in a flash that, when captured in an essay by a writer, can do the same for the reader. These can be moments of insight, understanding, or vision—“aha moments.” Often found in flash nonfiction, these moments can also be found in longer essays that lead up to it. In this seminar, we'll read sections of essays and memoir that illustrate transformative moments and discuss what makes them work or not.