Do you enjoy sharing your viewpoints? What do you think of, say, global warming or the latest water-cooler TV show or the forgotten value of handkerchiefs? No topic is too major or minor to warrant exploration. There are many places to air your views—magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs, books—and many forms to encapsulate them.
People will be eager to hear you out…if you know how to elucidate your thoughts better than the average loudmouth on the bus. Here you’ll learn about the leading forms of viewpoint writing—personal essay, lyric essay, op-eds, reviews, and others—as well as writing craft and how to market your work.
Whatever you have to say, we’ll show you how to say it effectively and compellingly.
A personal essay is similar to a memoir; both incorporate elements from the writer’s life. But a personal essay focuses more on the viewpoint, and a memoir focuses more on the story. Gotham also offers courses on Memoir Writing and an Intensive on Personal Essay Writing.
10-week Workshop
Place & Price
Registration fee $25, paid once per term
One-on-One tuition: $1795 Request consultation
This course gives you a firm grounding in the basics of essay/opinion writing craft and gets you writing an essay or opinion piece (or two). Course components:
Essay & Opinion I is for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Students must be 18 years or older.
To ensure everyone’s good health, students and teachers in NYC classes must show proof of full vaccination—your Covid vaccine card (or a digital scan), a NY State Excelsior digital card, or another form of government-approved proof. You must bring this proof to your first class session; we will contact you with a reminder before your class begins. You may also be asked for proof of identity with an official government photo ID. Face masks may also be required, pending the current situation.
