The blank page can be the most daunting obstacle in writing. In this course, aspiring writers will assemble a “starter kit” for approaching the blank page by developing constructive ways to think about the writing process as a whole. While subsequent courses in this series will focus on the mechanics of good writing, this course offers ways to think about the writer’s relationship to her material, and ultimately develop a writing style that is uniquely her own.
This course is part of the Memoir and Personal Essay: Write About Yourself Specialization
Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader
Offered By
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
12 hours to complete
The Art of the Frame: Giving Context to Memories
This week you will learn to identify aspects of the writing process that experienced writers can afford to take for granted. We will address questions of structure, strategy, and methods—the necessary elements for any good blueprint for writing.
4 videos (Total 17 min), 1 quiz
4 videos
Consider Your Strategy2m
The Uses of Research4m
From the Generative Stage to the Revision Stage4m
Week
22 hours to complete
Avatar: The Messenger is the Message
3 videos (Total 13 min), 1 quiz
Week
32 hours to complete
Diegesis and the Extradiagetic Frame: Two Trains Running
4 videos (Total 19 min), 1 quiz
4 videos
Zoom In, Pan Out5m
Make the Move: Explicit and Implicit5m
The Frame Inspires Trust5m
Week
42 hours to complete
Profiling: Our Relationship to the People in Our Work
4 videos (Total 17 min), 1 quiz
4 videos
Talking About Others5m
Conducting Family Interviews5m
Quote, Summarize, Paraphrase3m
4.5
4 ReviewsTop Reviews
started me on the path of writing a good personal essay
Instructor
Greg Pardlo
Visiting ScholarShapiro Center for Writing
About Wesleyan University
At Wesleyan, distinguished scholar-teachers work closely with students, taking advantage of fluidity among disciplines to explore the world with a variety of tools. The university seeks to build a diverse, energetic community of students, faculty, and staff who think critically and creatively and who value independence of mind and generosity of spirit.
About the Memoir and Personal Essay: Write About Yourself Specialization
How To Write About Yourself...so that someone else wants to read it! This is the heart of this Coursera specialization in Memoir and Personal Essay. Masters of both genres share tips, prompts, exercises, readings and challenges to help every writer imagine, construct and write compelling pieces of non-fiction's most popular form: the personal narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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