Writing a memoir

About this course

The course examines how memoirs are shaped, from choosing a starting point and selecting material to developing an opening and planning later chapters. Participants explore language and structural techniques used in the genre. Teaching combines formal tutor instruction with writing exercises, pair and group work, and workshopping. The course focuses on planning and crafting memoir rather than on a particular life story or subject.

What you'll learn

• Choose a suitable starting point for a memoir
• Develop an engaging opening
• Select material for subsequent chapters
• Recognise language techniques used in memoir
• Apply structural techniques relevant to the genre

Is this course right for you?

This introductory course is intended for learners beginning to work on memoir. The provider says that a working knowledge of language techniques used in creative writing would be useful, without presenting this as a formal prerequisite. Sessions involve pair and group work, writing exercises and workshopping.

• Some familiarity with creative-writing language techniques may be useful.
• The course uses collaborative activities as well as individual writing.

Before you go

• Learners should bring writing materials.
• Learners are encouraged to tell the tutor and classmates in advance if any writing they plan to share contains potentially sensitive material.