Creative Writing Techniques: Nonfiction

Whether it's reading a memoir or listening to a podcast, people crave the art of storytelling. Learn the art of creative nonfiction to tell your stories, a form of writing that combines the factual accuracy of journalism with the literary techniques of fiction. This course is a great way to prepare for college applications and develop professional skills.

Throughout the course, you'll work on short essays, memoirs, and hybrid pieces. You'll discover how to use creative techniques such as dialogue, characterization, and imagery to make your true stories come alive in a way that captivates readers.

You'll engage in lively discussions with your peers and instructor, share your work for peer review, and receive feedback from your instructor to help you develop your skills. You'll also explore the rich history of creative nonfiction, examining its evolution and function in different cultures and time periods.

By the end of the course, you will have a deeper understanding of the genre of creative nonfiction and how to use its tools to tell true stories in a way that captivates readers. You'll have a portfolio of writing that has been both peer-reviewed and reviewed by your instructor, giving you the confidence to continue your writing journey and share your stories with the world.

What you will learn:

✔ Build strong creative composition skills that also improve academic writing             
✔ Track the evolution and function of creative nonfiction in different cultures and time periods             
✔ Write effective essays by understanding their key components and what drives them             
✔ Write autobiographical pieces using key aspects of memoirs, such as their connection to memory and narrative              
✔ Apply innovative techniques to create hybrid works by combining poetry, photos, sounds, or other media into your creative nonfiction

Register Now

What you need to participate:

• Computer or mobile device with Internet. Internet speed must be at least 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload. For students using a mobile device, download the Canvas mobile app and select “Interlochen Online” as your school.
• Word processing program, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word, that can create PDF files

How the course works:

Interlochen Online courses are designed to be inspiring and flexible, with weekly learning units that combine video segments and guided instruction that you can complete on your own schedule during the week. You will interact regularly with your teacher and peers inside the learning environment. 

You can also participate in an optional weekly hour-long video class meeting where you can learn from the teacher and interact with your classmates in real-time. At the beginning of the course, you will complete a survey indicating your preferred times for the class meeting. The teacher will make every effort to identify a meeting time that works for everyone. The teacher will also post recordings of the meetings and you can view them when it is convenient. 

The goal is that you walk away not only with practical skills and friendships, but with the inspiration and motivation to pursue your art and realize your potential.