Masters of style: reading and writing Annie Ernaux
Annie Ernaux’s approaches to writing about society and the self have made her a leading voice in contemporary literature. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Ernaux’s style.
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.
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In this one-day workshop you will explore how Annie Ernaux developed her unique style of creative non-fiction. This course is offered jointly by Literature and Creative Writing. The morning will focus on literary criticism, and the afternoon will pivot into creative prompts and exercises inspired by Ernaux’s work.
What will we cover?
Read, analyse and discuss work by Annie Ernaux.
What is style and how to find yours as a writer.
How to express the self, and write about memory and society.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand the key features of Ernaux’s literary style.
Understand the historical context of Ernaux’s work.
Craft passages of writing in the style of Ernaux, using your own writing voice.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an intermediate course suitable for those with some prior experience of creative writing and literary study. You should be an enthusiastic reader of fiction and creative non-fiction, comfortable sharing your ideas and writing, and fluent in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will learn through a combination of short lectures, interactive tutor presentations, group and individual writing exercises.
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?
No additional costs. Material will be provided in advance. Please come to class having read the material assigned. Please bring writing materials. You are welcome to bring a laptop or tablet for use during writing activities if it will help you.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a range of non-fiction creative writing courses, including Autobiographical writing and Biography writing.
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 Bluesky.
Dr Megan Beech is a literature scholar and performance poet. She was the winner of the Poetry Society’s SLAMbassadors national youth slam in 2011. She has performed at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Parliament, the Southbank Centre, Glastonbury Festival and Cheltenham Literature Festival. Her debut collection 'When I Grow Up I Want to be Mary Beard' was published in 2013, and her latest book 'You Sad Feminist' was released in 2017. Her poetry has featured on the Sky One's 'Russell Howard Hour' and the BBC iPlayer series ‘Women Who Spit'. She was featured in The Guardian lists of ‘inspiring young feminists in 2014’ and ‘Must Read Books of the Year 2014’ and Evening Standard's list of 'Ten 21st Century feminist icons'. She has recently finished a PhD at the University of Cambridge.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/masters-of-style-reading-and-writing-annie-ernaux3037141Masters of style: reading and writing Annie Ernauxhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/non_fiction-2_1.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Writing/Creative non-fiction/Creative non-fiction/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Creative non-fiction/Courses/New courses2285159313581135931743122851358113593<p>Annie Ernaux’s approaches to writing about society and the self have made her a leading voice in contemporary literature. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Ernaux’s style.</p>003037126Masters of style: reading and writing Annie Ernaux7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/non_fiction-2_1.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-11-14T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceNov 2026WritingHW7267979Masters of style: reading and writing Annie Ernaux795179Megan Beechmasters-of-style-reading-and-writing-annie-ernaux/hw726-2627<p>Annie Ernaux’s approaches to writing about society and the self have made her a leading voice in contemporary literature. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Ernaux’s style.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-14 00:00:00<p>In this one-day workshop you will explore how Annie Ernaux developed her unique style of creative non-fiction. This course is offered jointly by Literature and Creative Writing. The morning will focus on literary criticism, and the afternoon will pivot into creative prompts and exercises inspired by Ernaux’s work.</p><p>Annie Ernaux’s approaches to writing about society and the self have made her a leading voice in contemporary literature. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Ernaux’s style.</p><ul><li>Read, analyse and discuss work by Annie Ernaux.</li><li>What is style and how to find yours as a writer.</li><li>How to express the self, and write about memory and society.</li></ul><ul><li>Understand the key features of Ernaux’s literary style.</li><li>Understand the historical context of Ernaux’s work.</li><li>Craft passages of writing in the style of Ernaux, using your own writing voice.</li></ul><p>This is an intermediate course suitable for those with some prior experience of creative writing and literary study. You should be an enthusiastic reader of fiction and creative non-fiction, comfortable sharing your ideas and writing, and fluent in English.</p><p>You will learn through a combination of short lectures, interactive tutor presentations, group and individual writing exercises.</p><p></p> <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>No additional costs. Material will be provided in advance. Please come to class having read the material assigned. Please bring writing materials. You are welcome to bring a laptop or tablet for use during writing activities if it will help you.<br></p><p>City Lit offers a range of non-fiction creative writing courses, including Autobiographical writing and Biography writing.</p><p>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p>Creative non-fictionCreative non-fictionvirtual797951HW726NONESat14/11/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetMegan BeechSome experienceAvailable courses2026-11-14T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Writing7979Masters of style: reading and writing Annie Ernauxmasters-of-style-reading-and-writing-annie-ernaux/hw726-2627<p>Annie Ernaux’s approaches to writing about society and the self have made her a leading voice in contemporary literature. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Ernaux’s style.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-14 00:00:00<p>In this one-day workshop you will explore how Annie Ernaux developed her unique style of creative non-fiction. This course is offered jointly by Literature and Creative Writing. The morning will focus on literary criticism, and the afternoon will pivot into creative prompts and exercises inspired by Ernaux’s work.</p><p>Annie Ernaux’s approaches to writing about society and the self have made her a leading voice in contemporary literature. This day workshop explores the literary interpretations of several seminal texts and writing exercises that encourage you to experiment with Ernaux’s style.</p><ul><li>Read, analyse and discuss work by Annie Ernaux.</li><li>What is style and how to find yours as a writer.</li><li>How to express the self, and write about memory and society.</li></ul><ul><li>Understand the key features of Ernaux’s literary style.</li><li>Understand the historical context of Ernaux’s work.</li><li>Craft passages of writing in the style of Ernaux, using your own writing voice.</li></ul><p>This is an intermediate course suitable for those with some prior experience of creative writing and literary study. You should be an enthusiastic reader of fiction and creative non-fiction, comfortable sharing your ideas and writing, and fluent in English.</p><p>You will learn through a combination of short lectures, interactive tutor presentations, group and individual writing exercises.</p><p></p> <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>No additional costs. Material will be provided in advance. Please come to class having read the material assigned. Please bring writing materials. You are welcome to bring a laptop or tablet for use during writing activities if it will help you.<br></p><p>City Lit offers a range of non-fiction creative writing courses, including Autobiographical writing and Biography writing.</p><p>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/citylitwriting.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bluesky</a>.</p>Creative non-fictionCreative non-fictionconfigurable
