Syllabus

“MEMOIR AND PERSONAL ESSAY:

BEYOND THE BASICS PART II”—Self-Guided Version

FIVE-WEEK ONLINE CLASS (ASYNCHRONOUS)

Mon., Jan. 20 - Sun., Feb. 23, 2025

Curious about how I teach? Read testimony here.

Class Description

This self-guided class is second of a two-part series designed for those who have already explored the basics of personal writing and wish to move on to a larger project or more challenging forms. You can work on either a section of a memoir or on a personal essay in a variety of styles. In this course, you will learn how to structure chapters or essays, including how to incorporate reflection and research, move around in time, revise effectively, and prepare for publication. We will examine texts from published authors to analyze their writing techniques and play with ways to use those approaches in our own writing. You will explore a larger question/topic in depth through writing two optional 500-word pieces and one chapter/essay between 1,000 and 3,000 words.

How It Works

You will go through the class as a group without an instructor. New lessons will open on 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, and 2/17. The course site will close on 2/23, after which you will be sent a zip file of all course materials (lectures, readings, exercises, discussion questions).

Each week provides:
• option for online forum discussions of assigned readings and other writing topics with peers; since class is asynchronous, students will post comments through the learning platform at their own time.
• written lectures (with audio and video formats) and a selection of readings

Some weeks also include:
• writing exercises and/or assignments
• opportunities to share a full-length piece for optional peer review (1,000 to 3,000 words)
• Though class is without an instructor, for an extra $50 you can join me for one open office hour live on Zoom to discuss your writing on any of these dates/times (Eastern): Tues., Jan. 28 2-3 p.m.; Mon., Feb. 3 12:30-1:30 p.m.; Tues., Feb. 11 4-5 p.m.; or Tues., Feb. 18 4-5 p.m.

There is no need to be online at any particular time of day.

Class Plan

WEEK 1: WRITING LONG (Jan. 20 - 26)
You will set firm intentions for the course, outlining the approach you will take for the five weeks and your ultimate objective for this writing once complete. We will take a close look at the class readings to analyze how the authors balance narrative with non-narrative elements such as reflection, research, and dialogue—and how those choices shape a story’s tone and pacing. You will have the option to write a short piece (up to 500 words) to share with the class, and you will choose a subject for your primary assignment.

WEEK 2: NON-CHRONOLOGICAL STRUCTURE (Jan. 27 – Feb. 2)
The traditional way to tell a story is to start at the beginning and go to the end, but rearranging narrative events allows you to highlight certain connections between things that happen at different times, and to manipulate the reader’s understanding of a series of occurrences. We will explore techniques for writing an essay that uses an unusual chronological structure, and strategies for moving back and forth in time in the context of memoir. In preparation for the primary assignment, you will have the option to write another short piece (up to 500 words) to share with the class. First office-hour option for those registered.

WEEK 3: WRITING OUT OF ORDER (Feb. 3 - 9)
We will study the class readings to analyze the authors’ writing approaches and continue to discuss the topics from previous weeks as they relate to our own projects, particularly non-chronological techniques. You will complete your primary assignment with the option to write either a memoir excerpt or a personal essay between 1,000 and 3,000 words. Second office-hour option for those registered.

WEEK 4: REVISION (Feb. 10 - 16)
Revision is an essential part of the writing process, but one that some writers find tedious. During this week we’ll discuss strategies for revision, both by yourself and with a writing partner, and ways to remain invested in your project during the long revision process. If they choose to participate, you will also have the option of sharing your primary assignment with a small group of classmates for peer review. Third office-hour option for those registered.

WEEK 5: PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION (Feb. 17 - 23)
After all the planning and polishing, structuring and revision, you want to share your writing with the world. This week we will discuss the steps and best practices for submitting work to agents, literary journals, and magazines. Fourth office-hour option for those registered.