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Course Description

In this beginner-level course, you will learn how to blend real-life stories with literary techniques to create compelling and authentic creative non-fiction works. This course will introduce you to various forms of creative non-fiction, including memoir, the personal essay, the lyric essay, and literary journalism. Through reading published creative non-fiction and engaging in class discussions, we will also consider the challenges and ethical issues of writing from life. With the guidance of an experienced author and workshopping with other writers, you will write the true stories you most want to tell.  

What You'll Learn

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Read and reflect on a variety of readings from published authors in the creative non-fiction genre, including memoir, humour writing, literary journalism, and personal essays 
  • Identify the implicit challenges in writing true stories and examine the ethics of creative non-fiction 
  • Reflect on how to appropriately choose what to reveal and what to avoid when writing about the lives of real people
  • Apply various techniques and styles to framing a creative non-fiction story and developing a compelling true narrative
  • Use observation, interviews, and research to create an authentic creative non-fiction story
  • Give and receive feedback through participating in writing workshops with fellow students
  • Demonstrate the use of creative non-fiction writing styles and techniques in your own writing by experimenting with various forms

Additional Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this course. You may take this as an individual course or choose to complete the Creative Writing Certificate.

Sponsoring Partner

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

Technical Requirements

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*Course details are subject to change.

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Section Title
Introduction to Creative Non-Fiction
Type
Online Synchronous
Days
Wednesday
Time
6:30PM to 9:00PM
Dates
September 09, 2026 to October 28, 2026
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
22.5
Location
  • Virtual
Delivery Options
Online Synchronous  
Course Fee(s)
Tuition Fee $569.00
Section Fees
Virginia L. Gray Memorial Bursary Donation $5.00 Optional
Open Learning Bursary $5.00 Optional
Potential Discount(s)
Reading List / Textbook
This course may require the purchase of a mandatory textbook. Information on the textbook, and how to purchase it, will be available on CourseLink when the course opens.

Section Notes

This course will be delivered online synchronous on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm EST using CourseLink, your course website, and live video conferencing. You will be required to participate in the live conferencing sessions each Wednesday evening.

*If one or more classes need to be rescheduled due to extenuating circumstances, the rescheduled class will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2026, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm (or portion thereof).

It is the student's responsibility to be sure you have the technical requirements to participate in this course including having available:

  • Internet Access
  • Webcam (Built-in or USB plug-in)
  • Headset or a Microphone and Speaker (Built-in, wireless or USB plug-in)

Students are responsible for having the required textbooks. Students will be provided with a reading list.

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