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Memoir and Personal Essay

Managing Your Relationship with the Reader

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.

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What's inside

Syllabus

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.

Avatar: The Messenger is the Message

Diegesis and the Extradiagetic Frame: Two Trains Running

Profiling: Our Relationship to the People in Our Work

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Greg Pardlo, who specializes in writing and literature

Focuses on developing a unique writing style and creative process

Introduces essential concepts in writing, such as structure, strategy, and methods

Builds a strong foundation for aspiring writers

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Reviews summary

Memoir and personal essay writing guide

Learners say this engaging four-week course on memoir and personal essay writing will teach you how to think critically about structure, perspective, and audience when composing compelling narratives about yourself and others. Instructor Gregory Pardlo uses clear and thought-provoking explanations alongside challenging assignments and constructive feedback from peers to help you develop essential writing skills. Students report that the course is well-structured and effectively paced, making it a great option for those new to creative writing or looking to improve their craft.

The writing exercises challenge students to think deeply about their writing.

"The assignments were very helpful, although the instructions were sometimes not as clear as they should have been."

"The assignments were challenging yet very helpful."

The course is well-structured and effectively paced, with clear deadlines.

"The course's pace kept me writing but wasn't a burden."

"The minilectures were very interesting and helpful."

"I thought this class was very well structured and that Greg Pardlo was relatable and on point."

Pardlo's video lectures provide clear explanations and compelling examples.

"The assignments were wonderful prompts drawing out unexpected topics and encouraging introspection on daily life."

"I really enjoyed this course. It was my first course ever done online and the pace and topics were great."

"I enjoyed listening and learning from Greg's videos."

Students appreciate the constructive feedback they receive from their peers.

"One gets out of the course what one puts in. I took it seriously."

"Feedback from other students is always welcome."

"I appreciated the lectures, and the need for me to keep a dictionary close to look up some of his high-powered words."

Peer reviews can be inconsistent and not always helpful.

"I received 1-2 comments that were actually helpful over the one-month course but the vast majority were irrelevant and a waste of time."

"For example, peers who simply answereddid "Yes," or "no" to a rubirc, question aren't going to move anyone to the next level of writing."

"Peer feedback is a disaster. Most of the people I've had to review or who have reviewed my submissions have enormous difficulty with the English language."

Some students express difficulty connecting with instructor, and desire more direct feedback.

"I found the instructor's pre-recorded lectures helpful. I would have liked to have had more interaction with the instructor -- either through Discussion, Office Hours or even a one-time event."

"The one note I did receive from the professor about half-way through the course felt canned and generalized."

"This course could have been great if there was any control over how assignments were graded."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader with these activities:

Review parts of speech

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Reinforce foundational understanding of the building blocks of language.

Browse courses on Parts of speech

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Identify the different parts of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, interjection)
Practice identifying parts of speech in sentences

Create a writing schedule

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Build a structured plan for consistent writing.

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Identify the best time of day to write
Set realistic writing goals
Create a writing schedule and stick to it

Write a series of short reflections

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Foster a regular writing practice and stimulate introspection.

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Choose a topic or event to reflect on
Write a short reflection using descriptive language and vivid imagery
Revise and edit for clarity and impact

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Read "The Elements of Style"

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Study a classic text on writing style and clarity.

View The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition on Amazon

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Read and analyze the principles outlined in the book
Apply the principles to your own writing

Participate in a writing group

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Receive feedback and encouragement from peers.

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Find or create a writing group
Share your writing and provide feedback to others

Write a personal essay

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Apply writing skills to a larger project and develop a cohesive narrative.

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Choose a personal experience or topic to write about
Develop an outline and structure for the essay
Write a draft and revise it for clarity and flow

Attend a writing workshop

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Engage in focused and immersive writing exercises with guidance from experts.

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Research and find a writing workshop tailored to your needs
Attend the workshop and actively participate in exercises

Career center

Learners who complete Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers design and evaluate the user experience of websites, apps, and other digital products. If you want to become a User Experience Designer, it is important to be able to understand and relate to your audience. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to think about your writing process as a whole and how to approach the blank page with a constructive mindset.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Author

Authors write books, articles, and other forms of literature. If you want to become an Author, it is important to be able to develop your own unique writing style and to be able to write in a way that is both personal and relatable. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to think about your writing process as a whole and how to approach the blank page with a constructive mindset.

See salaries and explore the career path for Author

Screenwriter

Screenwriters craft stories and dialogue for film and television. If you want to become a Screenwriter, it is important to be able to understand and relate to your audience. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to think about your writing process as a whole and how to approach the blank page with a constructive mindset.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Publicist

Publicists write press releases and other materials to promote their clients. If you want to become a Publicist, it is important to be able to write in a way that is persuasive and engaging. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to identify your target audience and how to write in a way that will resonate with them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Publicist

Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. If you want to become a Journalist, it is important to be able to think critically about the world around you and to be able to communicate your ideas clearly. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to identify important details and how to structure your writing in a way that is both engaging and informative.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Speechwriter

Speechwriters write speeches for politicians, business leaders, and other public figures. If you want to become a Speechwriter, it is important to be able to write in a way that is both persuasive and inspiring. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to identify your target audience and how to write in a way that will resonate with them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speechwriter

Copywriter

Copywriters write text for marketing and advertising materials. If you want to become a Copywriter, it is important to be able to write in a way that is persuasive and engaging. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to identify your target audience and how to write in a way that will resonate with them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Content Writer

Content Writers create written content for websites, blogs, and other online platforms. If you want to become a Content Writer, it is important to be able to write in a way that is informative and engaging. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to research and organize your writing, and how to write in a way that is clear and concise.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Grant Writer

Grant Writers write proposals to secure funding for organizations. If you want to become a Grant Writer, it is important to be able to write in a way that is persuasive and engaging. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to identify your target audience and how to write in a way that will resonate with them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers develop and deliver training programs. If you want to become an Instructional Designer, it is important to be able to write in a way that is clear and concise. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to research and organize your writing, and how to write in a way that is easy to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Teacher

Teachers develop and deliver lesson plans, grade assignments, and provide feedback to students. If you want to become a Teacher, it is important to be able to communicate effectively with students. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to think about your writing process as a whole and how to approach the blank page with a constructive mindset.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Researcher

Researchers conduct studies and collect data to answer questions. If you want to become a Researcher, it is important to be able to write in a way that is clear and concise. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to research and organize your writing, and how to write in a way that is easy to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Editor

Editors review, correct, and revise written material. If you want to become an Editor, it is important to be able to identify and correct errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to think about your writing process as a whole and how to approach the blank page with a constructive mindset.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Technical Writer

Technical Writers write instructions, manuals, and other documents that explain complex technical concepts. If you want to become a Technical Writer, it is important to be able to write in a way that is clear and concise. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to research and organize your writing, and how to write in a way that is easy to understand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Librarian

Librarians help patrons find and use library resources. If you want to become a Librarian, it is important to be able to communicate effectively with patrons. The course “Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader” can help you develop these skills by teaching you how to think about your writing process as a whole and how to approach the blank page with a constructive mindset.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Reading list

We've selected 16 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Memoir and Personal Essay: Managing Your Relationship with the Reader.

Somehow

Save

Practical and encouraging guide to writing, offering advice on everything from finding your voice to dealing with writer's block. It valuable resource for aspiring writers of all levels.

Somehow: Thoughts on Love

Hardcover

Somehow: Thoughts on Love

Kindle Edition

How to Write a Book Now

Save

Comprehensive guide to the art of memoir, offering guidance on everything from structure to pacing. It valuable resource for aspiring memoirists.

How to Write a Book Now: Craft Concepts, Mindset...

Kindle Edition

Check Price

Joan Didion: Memoirs & Later Writings (LOA #386)

Save

This memoir by Joan Didion about the year following the death of her husband. It valuable resource for writers of all levels, but it is particularly useful for those who are interested in writing memoir or personal essays.

Joan Didion: Memoirs & Later Writings (LOA #386):...

Hardcover

Like Love

Save

This memoir by Maggie Nelson about her experiences with gender and sexuality. It valuable resource for writers of all levels, but it is particularly useful for those who are interested in writing memoir or personal essays.

Like Love: Essays and Conversations

Hardcover

Like Love: Essays and Conversations

Kindle Edition

How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America

Save

This memoir by Kiese Laymon about his experiences with race, class, and sexuality. It valuable resource for writers of all levels, but it is particularly useful for those who are interested in writing memoir or personal essays.

Memoir and Personal Essay

Managing Your Relationship with the Reader

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Memoir and personal essay writing guide

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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