Class Description
Do you have strong opinions, but don’t know how to turn them into strong op-eds? Would you like to format them into compelling, persuasive arguments and publish them? Each week, we'll look at published op-eds, commentaries, and topical personal essays by a range of voices and on diverse topics, all torn from the pages (and web-pages) of newspapers, magazines, and online publications such as WBUR's Cognoscenti, The Boston Globe, CommonWealth Beacon, Newsweek, The Guardian, HuffPost Personal, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Slate, Salon and specialized and local publications such as the Journal of American Medicine, Scientific American and Education Week. We'll mine these exemplary works for inspiration and form, and you’ll write three new 600- to 800-word op-eds and present them in class for feedback (on a rotating workshop schedule to be determined by class enrollment).
Over the six weeks, you'll practice: 1) how to hone your topic into a focused, timely, topical and marketable idea responsive to current events, news and culture that editors wants 2) how find good topics for you, and how to leverage your personal experience and expertise; 3) how to master basic op-ed/commentary technique and structure, including using classical rhetorical appeals, establishing a good hook, and recognizing both sides of a discussion; and 4) how and where to submit them to newspapers, magazines, and online publications.
Please note: Class does not meet on 11/24
Driving to the center? For evening or weekend classes, we recommend SP+ Parking at 45 Binford Street for the most affordable parking around. It's about a 10-minute walk to GrubStreet and offers a flat rate of:
$13 after 4pm Monday-Friday
$9 all day Saturday-Sunday
Writing Roadmap: We've created a simple, goal-based writing roadmap to help you find the perfect GrubStreet course for your writing needs.
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 detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
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.
Space Accessibility:
Our space is ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA-compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.