“This course began as Form and Theory of Fiction, became Form of Fiction, then Form and Texture of Fiction, then Surface Criticism, or How to Talk out of the Corner of Your Mouth Like a Real Tough Pro. It will probably be Animal Husbandry 108 by the time Black February rolls around. As was said to me years ago by a dear, dear friend, ‘Keep your hat on. We may end up miles from here.’ ””

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Kurt Vonnegut’s term paper assignment in his “Form of Fiction” course at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in 1965

via Slate