This is an exceptional class! If you have time in your course plan I would highly recommend one of Deuel's classes. Or just make time. It'll be very worth it! Your writing improves exponentially, not just from the sheer amount of personal writing that you do each week, but from workshopping other students' essays and published essays, you'll really hone your taste and learn techniques that you want to try yourself. The workload is worth it, and if you remotely like reading and writing you're probably find it pretty fun. The class becomes tight-knit as you read each other's pieces; it's a great opportunity to build community and make class friends! I definitely consider Deuel's classes to be the most impactful of everything I've taken at UCLA.

Fav class at UCLA :) Before this class, I kind of hated writing and especially hated writing about myself. But in some strange magical way, this class made me slowly grow more comfortable with my writing. It was probably because we had to crank out a whole essay per week on top of all the readings and reading journals. So yea the workload is pretty tough, but it's worth it if you want to improve yourself. Professor Deuel is extremely helpful, inspiring, and friendly, and you can tell that he really wants to help you grow! Also, he's really funny, so that's a plus lol, I laugh so much in class. The assignments are the same every week: one mini essay, written feedback for a few essays from your peers, 2-3 readings, and a reading journal. We also had 2 midterm essays and 1 final. I learned a lot of general writing tips but also found my own style along the way. I also loved receiving feedback from my peers, they were super super helpful. Def take this class!

This was my favorite class at UCLA! Nathan Deuel is the funniest professor ever and he genuinely cares about his students. I would 100% recommend if you have a lighter quarter since there are a good amount of weekly assignments - weekly one page single space essays, feedback for 3-4 of those essays that you'll workshop in class, weekly readings and reading journals, two midterm essays, and a final essay. It kind of seems like a lot but it is all so so helpful. Take this class if you want to learn, not if you want an easy grade. It's so much and you really do grow as a writer. The professor takes time to read everyone's essays and reading journals before class so he really gets to know everyone individually. He brought in a cool guest speaker once and then we had a week where we met with him individually instead of class. Definitely take this class, even if you haven't done much traveling or any traveling at all. I set my grade here to pass because I am sure I'll pass the class but I haven't received my final grade since I am still in the class right now, but I kind of stopped caring about my grade weeks ago. This is the type of professor that you just want to impress so you try really really hard and end up learning so much!

This class has a great structure where you do the same short assignments on specific days every week. Beyond this you have a midterm and final paper. Professor Deuel gives a large range of what you can work with and how you can take your essays which is a great bonus. This class is full of conversations, critiques, and provides consistent learning opportunities. Deuel is a funny, interesting guy that makes the class experience much better than I would imagine Eng Comp 3 would be. This was probably my favorite class at UCLA, would definitely recommend. Also, do not let him convince you the class will be hard, just stick it out!

Take this class! I did not know what to expect from this class, considering my NSA chose it for me but I'm so glad chance allowed me to walk through the door of Deuel's classroom. I was bit nervous considering the fact that the class size was small with less than 25 students, but this class ended up being amazing! With a small class size, it enabled students to get to know each other more and engage more with the topics discussed. If you take this class be aware that every week you will write an essay on a creative new topic such as ''What is Truth'' and you will hear personal stories or essays from fellow students. I would highly encourage you to vocalize your own essay personal to your peers as it creates a bond between students when everyone shares something personal about themselves. But its a choice and essays from students range from being humorous, emotional, philosophical, or inspiring. Now to talk about Professor Deuel. Not to hype him up too much but he is the best professor that UCLA has! He always answers emails quickly, is a positive dude, and expects great things from students! Definitely a professor that is passionate on teaching and creating a environment where one can better their writing. Overall, this is a class that you will reminisce throughout your time at UCLA and one that you wish lasted longer than a quarter!

Deuel is awesome. This is one of those classes that you've been looking for at UCLA--you learn a lot, the professor really cares about you as a person and also your success as a writer/student, you connect with other students in the class in an authentic and genuine way. Deuel really knows his stuff and has had an impressive career in journalism. He is eager to help you grow and connect within the writing and journalism field. Take it!!! You won't regret it!

TAKE THIS CLASS, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I took Professor Deuel's class fall of 2023 needing to fulfill my English GE after never having a good English teacher. That definitely changed after taking his class. Not only the best English teacher, but best overall teacher I have ever had! Yes, the mini essays were annoying to have to write on Thursday nights, but as time went on, I found myself looking forward to certain prompts, and even missing them after the course was over. The energy and environment that Nathan creates in his classroom is so warm and personable. I, along with many of my peers, felt comfortable enough to open up to 22 strangers. I came back months later to write this review because I genuinely miss this class and will forever be grateful that I took it. I became a way better writer and also kind of enjoy it now? Something else I love about this course is he lets you revise your midterm paper, which I think is one of the best ways to not only improve your grade, but actually learn from your mistakes and improve your writing! Anyways, take this class, I promise it may be annoying to do the weekly mini essays, but you will love it overall!!!!

This class was my favorite that I have ever taken. You have a one-page single-space mini-essay due every Thursday night, which I thought was a lot too, but it was easy to manage. You have two midterm papers and then a final, but for the midterms, if you do not like your grade he lets you make revisions to get a better grade. Professor Deuel is an amazing teacher and you can tell he loves his work. I recommend this class to anyone who can take it and is something I will always be grateful for. You write more creatively then anything else and it truly is an amazing class.

This was hands down the best class I've ever taken. Even if you're not an English major/professional writing minor, even if you don't really like writing, even if you look at this class and are like, "not for me," you need to take this class. Deuel is smart, engaging, and will make you a better writer. Your essays and your peers' essays will cause you to reflect in ways you never have before. TAKE THIS CLASS.

The structure: every week Deuel assigns two published journalism essays that you reflect on and then discuss in class. After that class, you have the rest of the day to write a mini-essay -- one page that you upload to a shared drive. Deuel picks five of those essays for the whole class to review in the next class. The mini-essays are graded on completion. The bulk of your grade comes from two midterm essays and a final. Deuel is super helpful and will work with you to make your writing better. TAKE THIS CLASS. It's a writing class, so it's not "easy," but the work you do is so meaningful it doesn't really register as work in the same way as other classes.