In this class, you will learn about the wide variety of personal essays published in literary journals, arts and culture magazines, consumer magazines, and newspapers. We will discuss the different structures, formats, and lengths that each type of publication specializes in. We will look at examples of personal essays that read like mini memoirs, those that include a more journalistic or research-based approach, and those that feature a little of each. Every class will be divided into three parts: For the first hour, we will discuss a published essay; the second hour will be devoted to in-class writing; and the third hour will be reserved for workshopping. You don’t need to have written a personal essay before the first class. Those who would like feedback on longer essays can make special arrangements with the instructor.
Instructor: Sharon Harrigan