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Personal Essay I

personal-essay-1-writingx422-1
WRITING X 422.1

Learn to write essays, opinion pieces, and mini-memoirs about your life in this introductory course.

Duration
As few as 10 weeks
Units
3.0
Current Formats
Online
Live Online
Cost
Starting at $820.00

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What you can learn.

Learn to be a compelling first-person narrator
Work on theme, character development, voice, and pacing for your life stories
Complete at least one personal essay of at least 600 words

About This Course

"Personal Essay" is a broad term that encompasses essays, opinion pieces and mini-memoirs—but which always details the writer's journey through a specific experience. This workshop teaches aspiring personal essayists how to be a compelling first-person narrator and employ craft elements such as theme, character development, voice, pacing, scene-setting and exposition to tell their stories. The goal is to complete at least one personal essay (600-2,500 words) and develop material for future essays.

Summer 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Instructor:
REG#
408672
Fee:
$820.00
Onlineformat icon
Updating...
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required. Materials required. 

This online course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required live class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.

Deadline
Refunds only available from February 13, 2026 to July 05, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Book: Tell It Slant by Brenda Miller and Suzanna Paolo

Fall 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Thursday 6:00PM - 9:00PM PT
Instructor:
REG#
409747
Fee:
$820.00
Live Onlineformat icon
Remote Classroom
Updating...
Notes

No meeting November 26.

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

 

Deadline
Refunds only available from July 27, 2026 to October 04, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Thu Sep 24, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Oct 1, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Oct 8, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Oct 15, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Oct 22, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Oct 29, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Nov 5, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Nov 12, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Nov 19, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Dec 3, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom