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What makes a great biography? Learn to experiment with your own life writing as you uncover the techniques and methods of this exciting genre with a professional biographer.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This is a practical course for anyone thinking of writing biographically: whether about historical figures, members of their own family, celebrities, ordinary people, or palpable eccentrics. There is no stipulation that you should already have started work, as provision is made for those who have yet to select a subject.
Each term, one published text will be read for what it reveals about available approaches and technique. Workshop exercises will be set, and the results discussed collectively by the group. The purpose is that students should as much as possible learn from one another.
What will we cover?
Choice of subject
Techniques of description, narration and character depiction
Perspectives on time and place
Structural varieties in life writing
Affinities between life-writing and fiction
Uses of source material, memory, and oral testimony
The ethics of biography
The claims of biography, its limitations and responsibilities
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Have embarked on a life-writing project of your own choice
Understand the range of approaches available
Expand your understanding of what biographical writing entails
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Previous exposure to biographical literature is not required. In fact, the only essential qualification is a keen interest in reading, together with a willingness to learn from others and courageously to experiment in one’s own writing.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching will be by tutor-led discussion, small group discussion, and each session will include a writing exercise. Short homework writing exercises and optional reading lists will be given each week.
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
The title of the set text for each term will be announced in advance, and it would be very helpful if you could acquire a paper or cheaper electronic copy. You may well like to read ahead, but if that is difficult do not worry, since we will look at a relevant passage each week.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/biography-writing135987Biography writinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/i/biography-hw261-1080.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Writing/Creative non-fiction/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Non-Fiction Creative Writing/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Creative non-fiction2285159320302018135811359312285117712051653201813581<p>What makes a great biography? Learn to experiment with your own life writing as you uncover the techniques and methods of this exciting genre with a professional biographer.</p> <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">This course will help you develop a critical awareness of this genre of writing, to think about what makes a good biography, why we read it and what it might tell us about its subjects and our interest in them. Classes are designed for anyone who enjoys learning more about writers' lives, and about how we describe, explore and write about the experiences of other people. You'll develop confidence in using this knowledge to attempt your own experiments in life writing.</div>351187257Biography writing159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/i/biography-hw261-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2025-10-29T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceOct 2025WritingHW470159159Biography writing15980159biography-writing/hw470-2526<p>What makes a great biography? Learn to experiment with your own life writing as you uncover the techniques and methods of this exciting genre with a professional biographer.</p>0000-Available|2025-10-29 00:00:00<p>This is a practical course for anyone thinking of writing biographically: whether about historical figures, members of their own family, celebrities, ordinary people, or palpable eccentrics. There is no stipulation that you should already have started work, as provision is made for those who have yet to select a subject.</p><p><br/>Each term, one published text will be read for what it reveals about available approaches and technique. Workshop exercises will be set, and the results discussed collectively by the group. The purpose is that students should as much as possible learn from one another.</p><p>What makes a great biography? Learn to experiment with your own life writing as you uncover the techniques and methods of this exciting genre with a professional biographer.</p><ul><li>Choice of subject</li><li>Techniques of description, narration and character depiction</li><li>Perspectives on time and place</li><li>Structural varieties in life writing</li><li>Affinities between life-writing and fiction</li><li>Uses of source material, memory, and oral testimony</li><li>The ethics of biography</li><li>The claims of biography, its limitations and responsibilities</li></ul><ul><li>Have embarked on a life-writing project of your own choice</li><li>Understand the range of approaches available</li><li>Expand your understanding of what biographical writing entails</li></ul><p>Previous exposure to biographical literature is not required. In fact, the only essential qualification is a keen interest in reading, together with a willingness to learn from others and courageously to experiment in one’s own writing.</p>Teaching will be by tutor-led discussion, small group discussion, and each session will include a writing exercise. Short homework writing exercises and optional reading lists will be given each week. <br />
<br />
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit. <br />
<br />
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.<br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.<p>The title of the set text for each term will be announced in advance, and it would be very helpful if you could acquire a paper or cheaper electronic copy. You may well like to read ahead, but if that is difficult do not worry, since we will look at a relevant passage each week.</p>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.virtual2693817Biography writing159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/b/i/biography-hw261-1080_16.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-04T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJun 2026WritingHW261159159Biography writing15980159biography-writing/hw261-2526<p>What makes a great biography? Learn to experiment with your own life writing as you uncover the techniques and methods of this exciting genre with a professional biographer.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-04 00:00:00<p>This is a practical course for anyone thinking of writing biographically: whether about historical figures, members of their own family, celebrities, ordinary people, or palpable eccentrics. There is no stipulation that you should already have started work, as provision is made for those who have yet to select a subject.</p><p><br/>Each term, one published text will be read for what it reveals about available approaches and technique. Workshop exercises will be set, and the results discussed collectively by the group. The purpose is that students should as much as possible learn from one another.</p><p>What makes a great biography? Learn to experiment with your own life writing as you uncover the techniques and methods of this exciting genre with a professional biographer.</p><ul><li>Choice of subject</li><li>Techniques of description, narration and character depiction</li><li>Perspectives on time and place</li><li>Structural varieties in life writing</li><li>Affinities between life-writing and fiction</li><li>Uses of source material, memory, and oral testimony</li><li>The ethics of biography</li><li>The claims of biography, its limitations and responsibilities</li></ul><ul><li>Have embarked on a life-writing project of your own choice</li><li>Understand the range of approaches available</li><li>Expand your understanding of what biographical writing entails</li></ul><p>Previous exposure to biographical literature is not required. In fact, the only essential qualification is a keen interest in reading, together with a willingness to learn from others and courageously to experiment in one’s own writing.</p>Teaching will be by tutor-led discussion, small group discussion, and each session will include a writing exercise. Short homework writing exercises and optional reading lists will be given each week. <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.<p>The title of the set text for each term will be announced in advance, and it would be very helpful if you could acquire a paper or cheaper electronic copy. You may well like to read ahead, but if that is difficult do not worry, since we will look at a relevant passage each week.</p>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.virtual15915980HW470,HW261NONEWed,Thu29/10/25 - 03/12/2514:45 - 16:4514:4516:456 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2025-10-29T00:00:00+00:00,2026-06-04T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeOct 2025,Jun 2026Writing159159Biography writingbiography-writing/hw470-2526,biography-writing/hw261-2526<p>What makes a great biography? Learn to experiment with your own life writing as you uncover the techniques and methods of this exciting genre with a professional biographer.</p>0000-Available|2025-10-29 00:00:00<p>This is a practical course for anyone thinking of writing biographically: whether about historical figures, members of their own family, celebrities, ordinary people, or palpable eccentrics. There is no stipulation that you should already have started work, as provision is made for those who have yet to select a subject.</p><p><br/>Each term, one published text will be read for what it reveals about available approaches and technique. Workshop exercises will be set, and the results discussed collectively by the group. The purpose is that students should as much as possible learn from one another.</p><p>What makes a great biography? Learn to experiment with your own life writing as you uncover the techniques and methods of this exciting genre with a professional biographer.</p><ul><li>Choice of subject</li><li>Techniques of description, narration and character depiction</li><li>Perspectives on time and place</li><li>Structural varieties in life writing</li><li>Affinities between life-writing and fiction</li><li>Uses of source material, memory, and oral testimony</li><li>The ethics of biography</li><li>The claims of biography, its limitations and responsibilities</li></ul><ul><li>Have embarked on a life-writing project of your own choice</li><li>Understand the range of approaches available</li><li>Expand your understanding of what biographical writing entails</li></ul><p>Previous exposure to biographical literature is not required. In fact, the only essential qualification is a keen interest in reading, together with a willingness to learn from others and courageously to experiment in one’s own writing.</p>Teaching will be by tutor-led discussion, small group discussion, and each session will include a writing exercise. Short homework writing exercises and optional reading lists will be given each week. <br />
<br />
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit. <br />
<br />
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.<br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.,Teaching will be by tutor-led discussion, small group discussion, and each session will include a writing exercise. Short homework writing exercises and optional reading lists will be given each week. <br />
<br />
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.<p>The title of the set text for each term will be announced in advance, and it would be very helpful if you could acquire a paper or cheaper electronic copy. You may well like to read ahead, but if that is difficult do not worry, since we will look at a relevant passage each week.</p>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.configurable
15931205Creative non-fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/history-culture-and-writing-ok/writing/creative-non-fiction-11/2/285/1177/1205/1593/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Writing/Creative non-fiction