Writing school training courses in Chicago, IL (public, in-house or online)

The Technical Writing course focuses on various forms of technical writing ranging from the traditional linear format to those in an on-line hypertext format. This course exposes students to the knowledge, rhetorical conventions, and true-to-life experiences needed for contemporary professional writing in the workplace. The course also emphasizes the grammatical and stylistic conventions of business and technical writing.

Environmental professionals-- advocates and activists, conservationists and ecologists, educators and policymakers-- are increasingly called upon to write for the non-specialist, including the interested layperson. They may do this for websites and blogs; in newsletters and brochures; and in newspaper commentaries or magazine articles. This workshop will help those in a range of environmental professions write for the general reader in a style that is engaging, informative, and persuasive.

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Begin the process of crafting an early chapter book or a middle grade or young adult novel for young readers. Suggested readings will highlight the structure and demands of the various format possibilities. Writing exercises and workshop discussions will focus on the writing process, elements of narrative, revision, and a story’s marketability, with special emphasis on the connection between plot and character. The workshop will keep writers on their respective plot lines, offering measured assi...

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Learn how to develop and polish your stories, so that you can bring out their unique qualities and captivate your reader. Most of our time will be spent discussing your work, helping you make your stories the best they can be. We will also explore various techniques for revision, as well as new themes and perspectives through our discussion of published stories.

This course will introduce you to creative writing, from generating ideas to revising drafts. Find your voice and develop your craft through in-class and at-home writing exercises, and through discussions of your own and your fellow students�written work. You will also study canonical and contemporary models drawn from fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, and will be encouraged to try your hand at each of these genres.