Date of Defense

4-21-2026

Date of Graduation

5-2026

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Shonda Buchanan

Second Advisor

Kate Setzer

Abstract

The Little Helper is an experiential, creative writing thesis, made up of eight creative nonfiction (CNF) pieces, alongside an epigraph, acknowledgments, personal biography, works cited and annotated bibliography. I will orally defend The Little Helper with the aid of a PowerPoint and two reading excerpts, which will be provided as paper copies for audience members.

Beginning in September 2024, I followed several steps to produce a well-rounded collection of CNF essays. To prepare for this thesis, I explored the genre in a graduate-level CNF workshop, where I wrote one of the eight short essays that appear in this collection. The workshop helped me explore my voice and other literary elements of the genre. I continued to work with my committee members, returning to each essay again and again with their feedback until each piece was polished. In this way, I honed my craft.

I chose The Little Helper as the all-encompassing title to symbolize the theme of the thesis; me being a woman who has unique life experiences that I have gone through without help, with some help or as the helper. Other sub-themes range from coming-of-age to inequities. Each essay brings to life varying memories of the past through utilization of literary devices such as analogies, imagery, and juxtaposition, while incorporating these thematic elements. My two favorite pieces, There is More and A Conversation for My Therapist, are the beginning and ending of my thesis as they capture a wide range of emotions, indicative of the human experience.

As a social work major, The Little Helper facilitated my development and growth in an unfamiliar way of thinking and doing, especially as writing for my major is done in American Psychological Association (APA) style. After writing this thesis, I am excited for future opportunities of creative writing and publishing to further hone my craft.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

Download

Share

COinS