Overview

Why do we laugh when we read? Because we relate, because we’re surprised, or because life is absurd? In this four-week workshop taught by Elissa Bassist, you’ll explore the many ways to make readers laugh and turn personal anecdotes into essays that are both funny and publishable. 

We’ll cover mortification essays, revelation essays, “that one time…” essays, funny op-eds, and self-effacing essays. Students will learn a repeatable drafting process to discover topics, angles, and what’s unusual and universal in their own lives. This course is for writers who want to channel their inner David Sedaris while telling their own stories. 

Expect hilarious readings, in-class brainstorming, writing exercises, handouts, and practical guidance on writing, publishing, and promoting your work. Assigned readings include authors such as Samantha Irby, Melissa Broder, Jenny Lawson, Daniel Lavery, Jabeen Akhtar, R. Eric Thomas, Michael Arceneaux, and more. 

Students consistently praise Elissa’s approach: “Elissa has a real gift for making complex stuff feel clear and approachable. She’s hilarious, super engaging, and manages to make everyone feel like they can actually do this.” Another notes, “Elissa creates an environment of such ease to participate openly and her course materials are invaluable for any writer at any level.” And yet another shares, “Elissa provides a guided approach to building a structure for one’s writing and gives concrete workable steps to fill that structure with content. It is clear reading the essays of classmates that all of us have benefited from her instruction and encouragement.” 

This course is a chance to expand your humor-writing portfolio, experiment with voice and form, and gain both the skills and confidence to make readers—and yourself—laugh. 

Weekly Breakdown: 

• Week 1: Introductions and an overview of what every funny personal essay needs. Class discussion about assigned readings (to be read before class). Instruction and practice on coming up with topics to write about, raw material, and unique angles. 
• Week 2: Pitching topics and receiving feedback; turning anecdotes into essays and finding what makes your story stand out. Homework: first draft (500–1,000 words). 
• Week 3: Lecture: How to turn a personal essay into a funny one. Homework is to write a less crappy second draft workshop in our final week together (1,000 words). Between classes, students will read their peers’ essays and prepare written and verbal feedback for the workshop. 
• Week 4: Workshop: classmates’ feedback and line edits from the instructor. Lecture on pitching and submitting, plus a Q&A on revising, publication, and rejection. Students receive a freelancer packet with publication resources. 

Writers may bring a work-in-progress or start from scratch.