Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/personal-essay
## Course Review: Writing a Personal Essay on Coursera ### Overview If you’ve ever felt the urge to tell your story but didn’t know where to start, the course **Writing a Personal Essay** might just be the catalyst you need. Offered on Coursera, this class is a comprehensive guide to crafting personal essays and memoirs—turning your unique experiences into narratives that resonate with readers. With a focus on finding your voice, constructing compelling structures, and portraying significant details, this course empowers you to write your story in a captivating way. ### Course Structure The course consists of four thoughtfully designed modules that guide you through the writing process: 1. **How to Begin... and How to Continue**: This first week lays the groundwork. You’ll explore how to discover your core message and organize your ideas into a fluid narrative. Understanding the distinction between material (the raw content of your life) and story (the narrative arc created from that material) is crucial for any storyteller. 2. **How Not to Fail**: One of the biggest barriers many writers face is their internal critic. This week offers strategies to overcome fears and self-doubt, enabling you to write freely without the paralyzing fear of judgment. It’s an empowering segment that cultivates the confidence needed for personal revelation. 3. **The Truth of the Story Lies in the Details**: Here, you’ll delve into your memories to unearth the moments that matter. This module teaches techniques for finding the “narrative gold” hidden within your past, helping you to select details that enhance your story and engage your readers’ emotions. 4. **Writing to be Read**: In this final week, you’ll refine your craft. You’ll gain insights into how to recognize good writing and the characteristics that set great memoirists and essayists apart. Learning how to absorb lessons from accomplished writers while developing your own style is essential for any aspiring author. ### Course Highlights - **Expert Guidance**: The course is guided by experienced writers and educators who provide valuable feedback and insights that are beneficial at every stage of writing. - **Community Engagement**: Enrolling in this course gives you access to a community of fellow aspiring writers. You can share your work, receive constructive criticism, and provide feedback, all of which are invaluable for personal growth and improvement. - **Self-Paced Learning**: The format allows for self-paced learning, making it easy to adapt to your schedule. You can spend more time on areas where you feel you need additional practice or move quickly through material that comes naturally to you. ### Why I Recommend This Course Writing a Personal Essay is perfect for anyone interested in exploring personal narratives, whether you're a complete novice or have some writing experience. The course not only lays the foundation for excellent writing techniques but also invites introspection and personal discovery. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to delve deeper into their own experiences and for those who aspire to publish their stories—be it in essay form or a fuller memoir. The skills acquired in this course are transferable and beneficial for various writing styles and formats. ### Final Thoughts In a world where personal stories foster connection, understanding, and empathy, this course stands out as a transformative experience for anyone eager to share their narrative. If you are passionate about writing and want to develop your unique voice, **Writing a Personal Essay** on Coursera is a highly recommended avenue to undertake your literary journey. Transform your thoughts and experiences into prose that calls out to readers—your story deserves to be told.
How to Begin... and How to Continue
In this week, you will learn how to discover what you wish to say, and how to organize your material and your story (and what is the difference between the two).
How Not to FailIn this week you lean how to overcome your internal critic and your fears.
The Truth of the Story Lies in the DetailsIn this week, you will learn how to sift through the dusty attic of all your memories, to find the ones that are narrative gold.
Writing to be ReadIn this week, you will learn how to tell a good sentence from a bad one and how to absorb the lessons of great memoirists and essayist, without copying anyone.
This class is the chance to create your personal essay or extend into a full memoir -- from planning and structure to bold narrative brushstrokes to the layering of significant detail. You will develop the opportunity to find your voice and see it come alive, amplified and improved, on the page. This is the chance to tell your story in a way that invites readers in; your story, written to be read. The memoir and personal essay are two of the best-selling and most universally acclaimed genres in
This was a really helpful course in giving me insight into the personal essay; however, I think that the ideas communicated in the lessons could be communicated in a more clear and abrupt manner.
Amy Bloom has a wealth of information to share and she leads the learner through complex ideas with ease.
Fantastic course, really loved it! Such intelligent, interesting teachers.
Prof. Bloom is an excellent teacher. She is engaging, and her assignments are clearly explained and thoughtfully designed.
The course lecturer was incredible. I was so interested and engaged in the assignments.