Autobiographical writing

About this course

Participants explore ways to generate and organise autobiographical material from memories, diaries, dreams, fantasies, photographs and other records. The course considers themes, structure, dramatisation, the relationship between fact and truth, and approaches to sensitive personal subjects. Teaching combines tutor presentations, writing exercises, pair and group work, class discussion and sharing of written work. Learners receive feedback on their drafts and practise revising and editing, with suggestions for writing between sessions.

What you'll learn

• Develop autobiographically based writing using memories, records and other source material
• Identify themes and structural approaches for shaping autobiographical work
• Apply selected fictional techniques to dramatise and organise writing
• Give sensitive, constructive criticism on other learners’ work
• Evaluate, revise and edit their own writing

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for learners with some experience of creative writing, whether or not they have written autobiography before. It involves writing outside class, reading work aloud, discussing others’ writing and addressing potentially sensitive personal material.

• Some prior creative-writing experience is expected
• Learners are encouraged to share work and contribute feedback
• Writing may address difficult or sensitive areas of personal experience

Before you go

• Bring paper and pens or pencils.
• Learners need to make copies of work they bring to share with the class.