ONLINE The Essayist
Do you remember those stiff essays you wrote in high school? Tight sentences, spindly paragraphs, vague ideas that looked like sea glass—no colours or edges. No wonder you got a C. Yet a great essay is an event in the world capable of making claims on us; it brings things into being. It’s evidence of something going on, to quote Donald Murray, not something having gone on. In essence, it has a breathing body behind it. No topic is unapproachable—climate change, tree bark, the stitching on Grandmother’s hem—all are grist for the mill. And let’s not forget—great essays are coveted by journals, magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs—by anyone who reads. In this class, we’ll work with genres such as flash nonfiction, critique, opinion, persuasion, and personal narrative. We’ll exchange ideas, explore new forms, and leave the class with 3-4 short essays. All are encouraged and welcome to attend.
This is an interactive online class using the Zoom web platform.
Laura Swart enjoys writing literary fiction, essays, drama, and poetry and has been published in all genres. She has taught writing classes to adult learners for over thirty years, encouraging students to find and raise their writing voices. Laura is director of I-AM ESL, a virtual language school that uses story and song to teach the intricacies of English to refugees. Her degrees and research in education, philosophy, and theology have shaped her thinking, her teaching, and her writing.
