Putting Down Stakes: Essay Revision Edition

When writing a new essay, we might feel stumped: we can feel it is falling flat. But why? And how do we enliven it? The problem may be that you haven't made your stakes clear. In this seminar you'll learn what stakes are, and why they should be communicated in your essay. We'll pull from a diverse reading list to see how other writers incorporate stakes. Then we'll turn to your work in progress, and address the stakes for a more robust, pumped up revision. You'll leave feeling more confident about what an essay needs to make an impact on readers, and to reflect your truest vision for it.

Class Format

This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood. 

Covid-19 Update:

GrubStreet's space will be mask optional when Boston's Covid-19 Community Level is low or medium. When the Covid-19 Community Level is high, our space will require masks. Please check GrubStreet's Covid-19 page for the latest info on masking and Community Levels before visiting in-person.

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.