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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader by Wesleyan University

4.3
stars
246 ratings

About the Course

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....

Top reviews

SL

Aug 4, 2019

The information was given in such a way that I found myself re-thinking all of the stories I've written, wanting to explore other options and re-write from a clearer perspective. Truly valuable.

K

Sep 3, 2020

I really appreciate the professor and his classes I have enjoyed every single video and every assignment It is really useful course which will allow us to know how exactly to write a memoir.

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26 - 50 of 120 Reviews for Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader

By Paula P

Jul 26, 2020

This course was excellent all around - the professor was wonderful and offered valuable insights to the writing process, and thinking about the writing process for oneself. I learned a ton about choosing topics, frames, and techniques to tell the story which have helped me to open up the door to writing my memoir.

By mrinalini p

Jul 2, 2024

For someone who thought I could write well, this course was an eye-opener. The insights offered are helpful to improve one's style of writing and recounting memories. Rightly said, it's just a scratch on the surface, still I feel my writing skills have benefited from this course to a great extent. Thank you!

By Deleted A

Sep 25, 2021

I loved this course with its excellent lectures and writing challenges. Replaying the videos fostered enhanced understanding of memoir writing. The peer reviews provided helpful communication from others on this writing journey. Greg Pardlo made the course enjoyable while relaying information.

By Victoria R

Sep 2, 2020

The assignments were very helpful, although the instructions were sometimes not as clear as they should have been. Video instruction was good. I especially liked Mr. Pardlo's easy manner and his use of poems to help make his points. I had an excellent experience with the peer reviewers, too.

By Alison E L

Sep 7, 2020

Gregory Pardlo has a friendly demeanor while he provides extremely insightful tips on how an author can present themselves to the reader when writing memoir. The homework aligned well with the lessons, providing the opportunity to put the information from each week's videos into practice.

By Alexandria S

May 2, 2020

I thought this class was very well structured and that Greg Pardlo was relatable and on point. I have listened to the lecture segments repeatedly, and I continue to learn from them. The assignments, especially the one relating your life to historical trends and events, are enlightening.

By Jennifer J W

Sep 2, 2022

I enjoyed the lectures which provided me with a different slant to the work I've done on my memoir. Plus I learned a lot from reading the peer assignments. I had not considered the concept of the frame before, even though I had used the technique sometimes unconscously.

By B R H

Jun 11, 2020

it was a good learning experience . I was really forced to think and write my bits of my memoir with emotions, understand the difference between the frame and the story. Thanks Mr Greg . I never knew that i can do justice for on line learning. but YOU made it possible.

By Jean-Pierre C

Apr 29, 2020

I have learnt a lot. More importantly, this course has unlocked my ability to think reflectively and to better structure the narrative. Sounds weird now but I never thought about the reader before with this level of respect. I genuinely think it has changed my approach.

By Ann M

Nov 3, 2022

Great structure and prompts. They made writing so much easier. I felt I was able to find a voice with each exercise. The peer review process was also good. It was enlightening trying to read other's work critically. It is probably the hardest part of the course.

By Athena J

Mar 6, 2021

I loved this course, the materials and the complexity and thoughtfulness of the assignments. I do wish a few of the assignments were a little bit more clear - I sometimes didn't know if I was doing them correctly! - but they were incredibly fun and deep nonetheless!

By Laura F Z

Jun 30, 2020

Dr. Pardlo was really clear in his explanations of the material, and presented the material in a fresh way that I had not been exposed to before, since I'm not a poet. I highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to kick-start their personal writing projects.

By Imelda C F

Dec 14, 2020

All my teachers are great! I'm so blessed to have 'met' them even through a virtual platform. learning so much from my teachers and from my classmates (although, at times their comments are off-kilter because they're not reading properly hahaha) God bless us all.

By Betsy A

Aug 31, 2020

The course's pace kept me writing but wasn't a burden. The minilectures were very interesting and helpful. The prompts were a challenge but not crazy hard. My classmates' writing was very interesting to read. In short, I learned a lot about writing in 4 weeks.

By Constantino C

Oct 13, 2020

Though the course was excellent, I did not like to receive one encouragement message from you (which I appreciated), but I did not have any possibility to respond. I tried to write a text to Greg, and I left it in his blog. Regards, Constantino

By Pongitte R

Jun 2, 2020

Professor Pardlo is fantastic. His video clips are effective for getting participants to consider the various aspects of memoir writing. Excellent and appropriate use of examples to make his points. I only audited but would recommend.

By Dean P

Mar 28, 2022

Good starter class on how to write a memoir. Included Interesting stories, and clear and thoughtful videos explaining how to choose pint of view, utilize your memory, and show and tell specific details to start writing your memoir.

By Jon K

May 16, 2020

I really enjoyed this course. I was my first course ever done online and the pace and topics were great. I would've liked more input from the instructor on my work, but it's probably not a suitable venue for that.

Thanks again.

By Carolyn J

Apr 25, 2021

I so enjoyed this first course for me in Memoir and Personal Essay. In particular, I appreciated the skilled and insightful approach of Greg Pardlo who gave his knowledgeable and astute advice so freely. Thank you so much!

By Clarissa S

Jun 17, 2020

I loved this course! thank you so much! I loved Greg's videos, which were short but very insightful. I loved the assignments, very well thought. Couldn't recommend this course enough for anyone who wants to write.

By Michelle L V

Oct 26, 2020

I enjoyed listening and learning from Greg's videos. He gave in depth explanations and compelling examples. I will move on to the next course after this experience. Thank you for an affordable chance to learn!

By Margaret J

Oct 19, 2019

Key concepts in crafting memoir are presented, explained, and followed up with dynamite exercises. I found this course extremely useful in my efforts to structure and craft a memoir of my long work history.

By Maram A

Jun 10, 2020

This course is so important for the persons who love details in life and step by step you will know how to write well about your thoughts and stories that you faced in your life...

Very interesting

By Saskia V

Aug 23, 2019

Just started today and finished already teh first week...fantastic ...well spoken, well informed, easy to understand from someone english is a second language. Look forward to the next weeks.

By Roxana G

Sep 23, 2019

Very practical videos, short but instructive. Nice assignments, although the instructions weren't always clear.

I really liked the teacher, and I loved the content.