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BIOGRAPHICAL WRITING BWR205
Learn how to write a Biography with ACS Distance Education.
- Develop ideas about who and what to choose for a biography.
- Learn about the processes of writing a biography.
- Understand about researching for a biography and the types of evidence touse.
- Learn about editing, publishing, and marketing a biography.
- Write a biographical piece as part of your studies.
Study Biographical Writing and learn about who and what to write about.
- Learn about different types of research, where to start gathering information, and how to apply the art of fiction to the craft of a biography.
- Study the editing and marketing processes.
- In the final lesson, you will write a 2000 - 4000 word biography and receive individual feedback from our academic staff.
Biographical writing can be large-scale, and cover a person's whole life, or it can be small scale, and cover only a short period, from a week to a few years. Sometimes the subject's life is the entire focus. Other times, it's his or her work, or their life in the context of a particular philosophy or achievement.
A biography is neither a diary nor a journal. Although biographies are writing about life, it is more useful to think of them as a collection of writings about life events. What are the key events? How do these tie around a central theme or purpose?
1. Scope and Nature of Biographical Writing
- The difference between a biography and autobiography.
- Unauthorised biographies.
- Using ghost writers in biographies.
- Choosing your subject.
- Biography vs. Memoir.
- Researching a Biography.
2. Researching a Biography
- Types of Evidence.
- Using Evidence.
- Where to find evidence.
- Conducting an Interview.
- How to deal with conflicting sources and information.
- Citations and Referencing.
3. Developing Context
- Determining Your Theme.
- Developing the theme.
- Themes and Structure.
- Using Context.
4. Short Biographies
- Principles of the Short Biography.
- Distilling Information.
- Preparing to write from life experience.
5. Comprehensive Biographies
- What makes a comprehensive biography comprehensive?
- Writing a Great Biography.
- Voice in Writing.
6. Planning a Biography
- The Short Outline.
- The Detail-Heavy Outline.
- Outlining the biography.
- Defining a theme, writing to a central theme.
- Word Budget.
- Organising Chapter Content.
- Writing a Sales Package.
- The Publishing Process.
- Publishing Processes for Ebooks.
- Self-Publishing Your Work.
- Distributing and Selling your Work.
- Grants for Writing.
8. Project: Writing a Biography
A the end of each lesson there is an assignment for students to complete and submit to the school. This will be marked by the school's tutors and returned to the student with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Biographies are hugely popular, whether you are a film star, have been resident in the White House, or are a war veteran, biographies provide a rich source of reading for many. They can provide information about eras, experiences, and about the world.
- Do you have an interest in people and in their experiences?
- Would you like to write about events and experiences that are an inspiration to others?
- Study Biographical Writing with ACS and learn about the processes of writing - from determining the initial concepts, through planning, and obtaining evidence, through to editing, publishing , and marketing a work.
LEARN MORE.
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Autobiography Writing Diploma
Duration: 20 hours
Access: Lifetime Access
Approved by: CPD
Learning Type:
Cost: £100.00
All New Skills Academy Students Are Eligible for an XO Student Discount Card
Why you should study with us
Course Description
Example certificate, autobiography/biography writing diploma course.
The Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma has all the information that any aspiring auto/biography writer needs to become successful in this writing genre in the UK. This course contains all the knowledge needed to write a commercially viable biography, and become an authority on your subject. From choosing the right person, to interviewing techniques, to ensuring your writing brings your subject to life, this course covers it all. You will receive a comprehensive introduction to writing gripping biographies and a thorough understanding of how to achieve success in the biography industry.
Introduction to the Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma
This online course provides students with the opportunity to cover the diploma’s curriculum in their own time and at their own pace. Most students are able to complete the course in a reasonable amount of time while continuing to work full time.
As this course is online, this diploma is accessible from any device with an internet connection, and you will have access to online support during your study. Before completing the course, you must pass a comprehensive test, covering the curriculum in detail, which will lead to the award of your certificate. You can download and print the certificate yourself at home, or we can post it to you for a small additional cost.
What You Will Learn
This Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma has been designed to give students a comprehensive overview of how to become a biographical writer and will set you on the route to success. This course will cover:
- What a biography is
- The practical aspects of becoming a writer
- The lives and works of famous biographers
- How to identify your target market
- Working with your chosen subject and an extensive list of interview questions
- The ethics of writing a biography, what to include and what to omit
- How to create a research plan, organise your research, and tell your subject’s story
- The technical aspects of writing and structure and keeping it interesting and dynamic
- Developing self-confidence and belief in your abilities
- Finding your own writing style
- Writing your autobiography
- Different publishing options, and how to approach publishers and deal with rejection
Benefits of the Auto/Biographical Writing Diploma
The Auto/Biographical Writing Diploma offers students the following benefits:
- The ability to study anywhere at times that suit you
- Study at your own pace, with no deadlines: complete it as quickly or as slowly as you like
- Use any internet-enabled device to study on, including computers, tablets and mobile phones
- Follow the course easily thanks to short, informative modules, which make studying fun
- A convenient online support system, helping you to stay on track throughout the course
- A comprehensive curriculum, providing you with the knowledge you need to begin writing biographies
- Improved prospects when contacting publishers
- Earning a certified, recognised diploma
- An affordable cost
This course includes
24/7 Student Support
End of course certification
Lifetime access to your course
Compatible with modern devices
Module 1: Introduction to Biographical Writing
- What is biographical writing?
- Why pursue biographical writing as a career?
- Why pursue autobiographical writing?
- The basics of what to include in a biography
Module 2 : What do you need to Become a Good Biographical Writer?
- What tools you'll need to become a biographical writer
- What personal skills a biographical writer should possess
- The upsides and downsides of working from home as a writer
- How to conduct great research and turn it into something interesting to read
Module 3 : Be Guided by the Best – a Look at other Successful Biographical Writers
- William Shawcross, journalist and biographer of the Shah of Iran and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
- Norman Mailer, novelist, playwright and Pulitzer Prize winning biographer of Lee Harvey Oswald
- Robert Lacy, British historian and Royal biographer
- Andrew Morton, sensational biographical writer of Diana: Her True Story
Module 4: Identifying Your Target Demographic
- General tips on how to identify your target audience
- Why readers love big biographies
- Reasons why people should read more biographies, that may help you consider your target audience
- Where biographies are in the leading book genres
Module 5 : Interviewing and Working Closely with Your Subject
- Tips for a meaningful biographical interview
- Thoughts to keep in mind when conducting a life interview
- How to bond with your subject through their ancestors
- Some great biography interview questions - beyond the obvious
Module 6 : Undertaking Accurate and Thorough Research
- Different approaches to biographical research
- What to look for in a good biography - and what your readers will query
- How to conduct thorough research
- Getting it right - the importance of truth and accuracy
Module 7 : Planning the Full Biography
- The process of deciding a subject
- Formulating a research plan
- The steps to writing a biography - getting everything in order
- A basic biographical writing frame to elaborate on
Module 8 : How to Make Boring Facts Seem More Interesting
- Easy tips on how to fix a bad biography
- Why your subject's life story can seem boring, and how to make it better without embellishing the truth
- How to prevent boring your readers to sleep
- Considering the factors that could make your writing dull to read
Module 9 : Ensuring the Best Flow from Start to Finish
- The key ingredients to make your writing flow
- Drafting a fluid outline or biographical sketch
- Great transition words to ensure your writing isn't choppy
- Structuring your biographical details for flow and consistency
Module 10 : Improving Your Confidence and Sense of Purpose as a Biographical Writer
- How to build your writing confidence
- Secrets for writing with confidence
- How to overcome writer's doubt
- Tips for writing with a sense of purpose
Module 11 : Practical Writing Exercises in the Biography Writing Niche
- A miniature biography writing outline
- A quick and easy autobiographical exercise
- Choosing a brief biography and identifying how you could elaborate on it
- Simple writing exercises to get you thinking
Module 12 : Tackling Your Own Autobiography
- What an autobiography is and what should you include
- Ideas for getting started with your autobiography
- Organising your details and what you must consider
- Tips for making your biography more exciting
Module 13 : Dealing with Publishers and Selling Your Biography
- Publishing methods to consider and accumulating validation
- Whether you should consider the self-publishing route
- What to do if you get rejected and common reasons manuscripts are rejected
- Taking steps towards self-publishing or publishing online, along with several top tips for self-publishing
of achievement
This certificate is presented to
For completing the
on 21st November 2023
Selena Hurford
Course Tutor
Daniel Morgan
Head of Academy
Who can take the Autobiography Writing Diploma course?
Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.
What is the structure of the course?
The course is broken down into 13 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.
Where / when can I study the course?
You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!
Is there a test at the end of the course?
Once you have completed all 13 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 13 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.
What is the pass mark for the test?
The pass mark for the test is 70%.
What happens if I fail the test?
If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.
When will I receive my certificate?
Once you have completed your test you can log in to your account and download/print your certificate any time you need it. If you would prefer us to post you a certificate to a UK address, there will be an admin charge of £10 (certificates sent internationally may cost more).
How can I pay?
You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.
How long after payment can I begin the course?
You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.
How long does it take to complete the Autobiography Writing Diploma course?
We estimate that the course will take about 20 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.
How long is my certificate valid for?
Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.
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- My City Lit
- Help Centre
- History, culture & writing
- Creative non-fiction
Biography writing
Course Code: HW261
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
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Any questions? [email protected] or call 020 4582 0415
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
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.
What will we cover?
- Definitions of biography, autobiography and memoir. - History of English biography. - Ethics of biography. - Biographical techniques and method. - The use of sources, memory and recollection in life writing. - The uses of biography and its limitations as a way of understanding writers.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Think critically and intelligently about what biographies are for and why we read them. - Understand the leading features of a very important genre of writing and how biographies are put together. - Feel more confident about making your own experiments in life writing.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course requires no specific qualifications other than a keen interest in literature and in reading and writing. It would not suit anyone who does not have a good level of spoken and written English.
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?
Please bring writing materials. If you'd like to prepare yourself, the best single introduction is Hermione Lee's 'Biography, A Very Short Introduction' (Oxford University Press) but there are no set text books. Weekly handouts will be provided.
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 .
Professor Robert Fraser has published a number of biographies of modern British poets, as well as critical works on authors as diverse as Marcel Proust and the anthropologist Sir James Frazer. He has also written memoir, much journalism and performed plays on the lives of Dr. Johnson, Byron and D.H. Lawrence. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and is currently Professor Emeritus of the Open University.
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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Course description.
The biography is one of the most popular and enduring genres of nonfiction writing. This course teaches students the skills needed to bring people to life through biographical writing. Students read excerpts from different types of biography—scholarly, popular, and experimental—as well as read about the process of writing biography. Students practice interviewing, learn about accessing archival resources, and work on aspects of prose and style that bring characters to life. Students work to complete one chapter of a biography in progress. By the end of the course, students have the skills to enhance all their nonfiction writing projects, making them more marketable to editors and agents and more engaging to readers.
Margaret Doherty
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Writing a Biography
Learn to write biographies.
This course is relevant to biographical writing for:
- Books and Screenplays
- Profiles (e.g. in a conference program, a government submission, or a business report),
- Obituaries,
- Newspaper articles, Magazines, Web Sites, Social Media listing, or anywhere else
Biographies are hugely popular, whether you are a film star, have been resident in the White House, or are a war veteran, biographies provide a rich source of reading for many. They can provide information about eras, experiences, and about the world.
Do you have an interest in people and in their experiences?
Would you like to write about events and experiences that are an inspiration to others?
Study Biographical Writing with ACS and learn about the processes of writing - from determining the initial concepts, through planning, and obtaining evidence, through to editing, publishing , and marketing a work.
Lesson Structure
There are 8 lessons in this course:
- The difference between a biography and autobiography
- Unauthorised biographies
- Using ghost writers in biographies
- Choosing your subject
- What do biographies cover?
- Fiction versus Non fiction
- Uses for biographies
- Biography vs. Memoir
- Types of Evidence - primary, secondary
- Using Evidence
- Where to find evidence - newspapers, diaries, research, interviews
- Conducting an Interview
- Secondary sources - reference books, biographies, online sources, libraries, archives
- How to deal with conflicting sources and information
- Citations and Referencing
- Ways to reference
- The law - slander and libel
- Information in the public domain
- Using themes
- Determining Your Theme
- Mapping links
- Defining purpose
- Developing the theme
- Themes and Structure
- Using Context
- General planning
- Unauthorised versus authorised biographies
- Considering rights
- Protecting copyright
- Principles of the Short Biography
- How to start
- Distilling Information
- Social media bios
- Magazine profiles
- Professional bio
- Preparing to write from life experience
- What makes a comprehensive biography comprehensive?
- Writing about living versus deceased
- Writing a Great Biography
- Voice in Writing
- Some essential writing skills
- The Short Outline
- The Detail-Heavy Outline
- Outlining the biography
- Defining a theme, writing to a central theme
- Word Budget
- Organising Chapter Content
- Writing a Sales Package
- The Publishing Process
- Publishing Processes for Ebooks
- Self-Publishing Your Work
- Distributing and Selling your Work
- Grants for Writing
- In this final lesson, you will bring together everything that you have been learning to undertake research and construct a first draft of a biographical piece of between 2,000 and 4,000 words.
WHAT YOU LEARN HERE HAS A MULTITUDE OF APPLICATIONS
Biographies are used in many different areas of writing. Books may seem the most obvious area where a biography is written. There are a lot of authorised and unauthorised biographies available as books. But not everyone wants to write a whole book about a particular person. There are other areas, such as –
- Screenplays – biographies can be used to developed screenplays for films, such as the Frost/Nixon biography
- Business reports
- Newspaper articles
- Magazine articles
- Website articles
- Social media listings
- Conference programmes
- Professional profiles
- Government submissions
- Resumes/CVs
- Biographies can be short stories, or a full-length book.
Biography or Memoir?
While these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between biographies and memoirs. Biographies are dependent on research and can be written by the subject (autobiography) or about an other subject (biography). They may be considered historical documents.
Memoirs are written by the subject and are not considered historical documents. There is usually little research involved, unless it is required for deepening an aspect of the telling or providing some context. This is because memoirs are about an individual perspective, as opposed to documenting or chronicling a life history.
Although memoirs require less research, it is often a good idea to read around the general area you intend to write about and gather other perspectives. It can also help you situate your personal story, or think about in a new way, which may prove helpful to you. Memoirs do not have to be comprehensive or linear. They can be written about a single period, life event, interest, or aspect.
Comprehensive biographies rarely have sequels unless new information comes to light. This is especially true when the subject is deceased. If the subject is living, a sequel may be released after enough time has passed. This is commonly seen in celebrity biographies.
Shorter biographies may have follow-ups, which cover later life or earlier life.
Memoirs may have sequels, because they cover a smaller portion of the subject's life. The writer and neurologist Oliver Sacks published many books, each dealing with a different section of his work or life.
WHY STUDY WITH ACS?
There are lots of reasons why you should sign up to do this course with us, including:
- The course is detailed to ensure that you have the level of knowledge required to apply the practices in your own work, whether that's as a business employee or as a self employed writer
- Within each lesson you have the opportunity to apply your learning to activities which enables you to practice different concepts and expand your own research in areas of interest
- Knowledge of these key areas will enable you to stand out from other applicants when it comes to applying for jobs, it will also give you greater confidence
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How to write a biography: A practical workshop with Lara Feigel
Lara Feigel leads this skill-sharpening virtual workshop that will help you to explore the essential elements of writing a life history Online workshop Date: Tuesday 28 February 2023 Time: 6pm-8.30pm Catch up recording available
This course has now passed, but you can be the first to know about the next one - and other workshops like this - by signing up to our newsletter here .
Fundamental to every good book is the strength of the story - and this applies to non-fiction as much as it does fiction. In biography, whether the subject matter is serious or light, and whether it focuses on one person or a group of people, it is crucial to tell your story engagingly and intimately.
In an evening, biography writer Lara Feigel will take you through the essential elements of writing biography, whether you’re a beginner with a desire to learn more about the creative process behind biographical writing, or you’ve identified a person or group you’d like to write about, and you’re raring to get started.
You will come having completed some pre-course homework that will enable you to arrive ready to build on your preparation, and over an interactive evening, you will learn the importance of selecting your subject and identifying why you have chosen them, where to begin and end your story, how to find and refine your narrative voice, how the non-fiction book market works - and more.
Drawing on elements of writing fiction to strengthen your creative toolkit and leave you feeling confident in your ability to take your research further and deeper, this practical, interactive workshop will provide the foundation for the rest of your biography-writing career.
Course content
Choosing a subject: a single person versus a group
Where to begin and end: the story of a whole life versus a section of a life
Finding your voice, using techniques drawn from novels
Practical exercise
Advice on writing book proposals and finding an agent; Q&A
This course is for...
Beginners who want to learn more about the creative process for biographical writing as well as writers from other fields who would like to make a start in biography.
Those working on a biographical project but a pre-existing project is not required to attend.
Tutor profile
Lara Feigel is the author of two group biographies (The Love-Charm of Bombs: Restless Lives in the Second World War and The Bitter Taste of Victory: Love, Life and Art in the Ruins of the Reich) and a book which blends memoir with biography (Free Woman: Life, Liberation and Doris Lessing). She is a Professor of Modern Literature and Culture at King’s College London and writes regularly in the Guardian.
Date: Tuesday 28 February 2023 Times: 6pm-8.30pm GMT Price: £65 (plus £3.56 booking fee)
A catch up recording will be shared after the class and will be available for two weeks.
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Creative writing: an introduction to life writing
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The deadline for booking a place on this course has passed. Please use the 'Ask a Question' button to register your interest in future or similar courses.
This course is aimed at anyone who wants to write a biography, memoir or other form of non-fiction. It will use examples and practical exercises to guide students through the skills needed to write interesting non-fiction: research, editing, how to tell a story and ways of using description.
Given the nature of creative writing, it is important that students' use of English is sufficiently fluent to be able to understand in English nuances of meaning and have a familiarity with the structure and grammar of English.
Aims of the course:
- This course will begin with an introduction to life writing: what it is, its tradition and how it has changed in recent years
- Participants will assess what they know already about their proposed biographical subject or the period they want to write about, and what they need to know
- Each week will focus on a different aspect of life writing: bringing people to life, writing about a place, telling the story and polishing and revising work
- The participant will learn how research can enhance writing and influence the way in which a story is told.
- This course will encourage participants to establish a writing regime.
Schedule (this course is completed entirely online):
Orientation Week: 21-27 October 2019
Teaching Weeks: 28 October-1 December 2019
Feedback Week: 2-8 December 2019
Each week of an online course is roughly equivalent to 2-3 hours of classroom time. On top of this, participants should expect to spend roughly 2-3 hours reading material, etc., although this will vary from person to person.
While they have a specific start and end date and will follow a weekly schedule (for example, week 1 will cover topic A, week 2 will cover topic B), our tutor-led online courses are designed to be flexible and as such would normally not require participants to be online for a specific day of the week or time of the day (although some tutors may try to schedule times where participants can be online together for web seminars, which will be recorded so that those who are unable to be online at certain times are able to access material).
Unless otherwise stated, all course material will be posted on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) so that they can be accessed at any time throughout the duration of the course and interaction with your tutor and fellow participants will take place through a variety of different ways which will allow for both synchronous and asynchronous learning (discussion boards,etc).
A Certificate of Participation will be awarded to participants who contribute constructively to weekly discussions and exercises/assignments for the duration of the course.
What our students say - December 2018
“Your course was one of the best online courses I've ever taken. Even now I'm still enjoying the delightful aftertaste of it.”
“Key aspects of life writing were packed into this short course, and at the end of it I am inspired to develop my project.”
“The tutor was very responsive, communicative and delivered instructions on tasks very clearly. She also gave constructive feedback on tasks in a warm and professional manner.”
Terms and Conditions and ICE Fee Information and Refund Policy.
This course is open to everyone, and you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject to attend.
Our online courses are designed especially for adult learners who want to advance their personal or professional development. They are taught by tutors who are expert in both their subjects and in teaching students of all ages and experiences.
Given the nature of creative writing, it is important that students' use of English is sufficiently fluent to be able to understand in English nuances of meaning and have a familiarity with the structure and grammar of English. Please note that all teaching is in English. You should have near-native command of the English language in order to get the maximum benefit from the course.
For information on bursaries for this course, please see http://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/bursaries
General enquiries
Admissions enquiries, course dates, course duration, qualifications / credits, course code.
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Memoir Writing course
Writing the memoir.
Short course
Our Writing the Memoir two-day workshop introduces students to the craft of memoir writing. The workshop is most suitable for those new to memoir writing, though more experienced writers are also welcome.
1 starting date
Starting date: 20 th may 2023.
- Duration: 2 days
- Time: 10:00am to 12:30pm
- Occurs: Saturday and Sunday
- Location: Online
- Booking deadline: 16 th May 2023, 11.59pm
- Fully booked Course closed
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Testimonials
Engaging and kept my interest.
Lynda Gannon
A comprehensive introduction to what it takes to write a truthful, interesting memoir.
Jane not only knew her stuff but also talked from a perspective of a person who has published. Good stuff as she walked the walk and talked the talk.
Solomon Njie
- Course overview
What will I learn?
Assessment and certificates, eligibility, recommended reading, writing the memoir course overview.
If you have a true story to tell and have been wondering how to start writing about it, this introduction to memoir writing workshop is for you. We will also touch on the differences between memoir and autobiography.
Topics covered
The memoir writing course will take the form of two workshops. We will be examining one or two key ideas on how to tackle writing about the truth. You will have the chance to read from your work and discuss your ideas in a safe peer group.
Friday writing workshop
- What is a memoir? The difference between autobiography, autobiographical fiction and memoir
- Planning a memoir: the picture or the journey?
- Getting started: structure and style
- Finding your voice
- A chance to write some memoir sketches
Saturday writing workshop
- What is “truth” in memoir? Narrative and ownership
- The “chip of ice in the writer’s heart”: memory, subjectivity and the writer’s responsibilities when tackling problematic material
- Becoming a writer: the practice of writing
Who is it for?
The workshop is most suitable for those new to memoir writing. More experienced writers are also welcome, though should be aware this is an introductory course. Bring paper and pen and expect to take notes and bring ideas and questions too.
Find out more about our Non-fiction writing courses
- Non-fiction writing at City, University of London
The Writing the Memoir short course takes place on a Friday and Saturday between 10.00-12.30.
City Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms. These include:
- Autumn - October
- Spring - January
- Summer - April
- Learn from a professional memoir writer and novelist.
- Taught in small groups
- Awarded a City, University of London certificate
You will leave with a firm grounding in key aspects of writing a memoir and what you will need to consider before embarking on a memoir of your own.
Areas covered will include:
- Aspects of memoir-writing - what makes a good memoir?
- How to get started: ideas about structure and style
- Finding your voice: the importance of reading to writing
- What is “truth” in memoir-writing? Dealing with subjectivity and problematic material
- How to begin: the writer’s notebook
A two-day, seminar-style workshop. Written exercises in class. Q&As with the tutor throughout.
The workshop is most suitable for those new to memoir writing. More experienced writers are also welcome, though should be aware this is an introductory course.
Bring paper and pen and expect to take notes and bring ideas and questions too.
English requirements
The memoir writing course would best suit writers fluent in English.
Writing on writing
- To Show and to Tell , Philip Lopate, Simon and Schuster
- The Art of Memoir , Mary Karr, Harper Perennial
- The Situation and the Story , Vivian Gornick, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York
- Into the Woods , John Yorke, Penguin.
General Reminiscence
- Why be Happy When you Could be Normal , Jeanette Winterson, Penguin
- The Cost of Living , Deborah Levy, Penguin
- I Am, I Am, I Am , Maggie O'Farrell, Penguin
- Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight , Alexandra Fuller, Random House.
Dealing with Difficult or Contentious Subject Matter
- The Last Act of Love , Cathy Rentzenbrink, Picador
- Homesick , Catrina Davies, Quercus
- A Place for Everything , Anna Wilson, HQ Books.
Finding our Way via a Connection with the Natural World
- The Outrun , Amy Liptrot, Canongate
- Hidden Nature , Alys Fowler, Hodder
- Wintering , Katherine May
- Nature Cure , Richard Mabey.
Memoir Based Around a Specific Experience or Event
- About a Son , David Whitehouse, Orion
- Sins of My Father , Lily Dunn, Weidenfeld and Nicolson
- Educated , Tara Westover, Windmill Books.
Anna Wilson
Anna Wilson studied French and German at Cambridge University. She began her career as a picture book editor at Macmillan Children’s Books and went on to be an editor at HarperCollins. Anna started writing her own books in 1999. Since then she has published over 60 books some of which have been chosen for World Book Day, the Richard and Judy Book Club and been shortlisted for the Hull Libraries Award, the Lancashire Book of the Year Award and the ALCS Educational Writers’ Award.
Most of Anna's books have been for children and teens, but more recently she has turned her hand to writing for adults. Her memoir A Place for Everything – my mother, autism and me has been reviewed as “a seminal work in this area” by the world expert in autism in women, Professor Tony Attwood. It was Editor’s Choice in The Bookseller magazine where it was described as “a vividly told and profoundly affecting memoir” and it was featured on BBC Woman’s Hour.
As well as writing, Anna has extensive experience in teaching creative writing at university level and running writing workshops. She was an Associate Lecturer at Bath Spa University for many years and is currently a tutor for the Arvon Foundation, the HarperCollins Author Academy, the London Lit Lab and the Writers’ Block in Cornwall. From 2021-2023 she is the Royal Literary Fund Fellow for Exeter University on the Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
Have a question?
- Make an enquiry
- +44 (0)20 7040 8268
Related courses
Narrative non-fiction.
This Narrative Non-fiction Writing online evening short course supports you in writing non-fiction, from biographies to memoirs or travel writing blogs.
Fact-based Storytelling
Our Fact-based Storytelling Short Course explores how narrative drives different genres including memoir, biography, travel and food writing.
Supercharge Your Writing
How to develop good writing habits
We want to help you be a writer. This free course is packed full of advice to help you examine your habits and figure out how you can increase your productivity. It's also been designed to not take up much of your time - in just one weekend you'll be able to revitalise your writing.
If you've always wanted to write more but find yourself getting distracted, or never finishing projects, then tutor Ben Johncock will point you in the right direction.
In this quick-fire, no-procrastinating course you will:
- Analyse your daily schedule for wasted time
- Figure out how to carve writing time our of your day
- Explore where and when to write
- Identify your 'hidden time' and how to make use of it
- Spot bad habits and do something about them
- Find out how to take control of your smartphone
How long does it take?
As a self-paced course it's up to you how quickly you progress through the material. We've designed this to get you more productive as fast as possible, so you can easily binge it in a weekend.
How does it work?
Our courses can be accessed on your desktop Mac or PC , laptop, tablet or mobile. All you need is a web browser. You don't need to install any additional software.
When does it start?
Right now! This is a self-paced online course - you decide when you start and can go through it at any speed. You have unlimited access to the course so can return for a refresher at any time. What are you waiting for?
Introducing Ben Johncock
Benjamin Johncock is an award-winning novelist, short story writer and journalist. He was born in Canterbury in 1978 and studied ancient history and archaeology at the University of Birmingham. His debut novel, The Last Pilot, was published in the U.S. (Picador) and U.K. (Myriad) in 2015 to widespread critical acclaim. It won the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award, was shortlisted for the East Anglian Book of the Year, selected for Brave New Reads, and was one of The Observer’s Hidden Gems of 2016.
His award-winning short stories have been published by The Fiction Desk, The Junket, Comma Press and Storgy. His journalism has appeared in the Guardian, The Spectator, and many others, and he has worked as an editor and copywriter. He’s on the editorial board of The Letters Page, a literary journal edited by Jon McGregor at the University of Nottingham, and for two years was a mentor for the National Centre for Writing’s Escalator writing programme. He is also a recipient of two Arts Council England grants. He lives in Norwich with his wife, his daughter, and his son.
Course overview
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Creative writing
This module takes a student-centred approach to creative writing, offering a range of strategies to help you develop as a writer. The emphasis is highly practical, with exercises and activities designed to ignite and sustain the writing impulse. The five-part module starts by showing ways to use your memory and experience in your writing, and build a daily discipline for your work. This is followed by the demonstration and practice of the three most popular forms or writing – fiction, poetry and life writing (which includes autobiography, biography and travel writing). The concluding part aims to demystify the world of agents and publishers, teaching you how to revise and present your work to a professional standard.
Modules count towards OU qualifications
OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.
Browse qualifications in related subjects
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
Student Reviews
Fully enjoyed every moment. It has given me a better understanding of the creative process - structuring, editing, and how... Read more
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Explore our subjects and courses, what you will study.
This module is suitable for new writers, as well as for those with some experience who would like to develop their skills. It will help you to identify your strengths and interests as a writer by giving you the opportunity to write in a range of genres: fiction, poetry, autobiography and biography. The emphasis is on finding your own direction and style through experiment, practice and constructive feedback. The module is suitable not only for aspiring writers, but for anyone with a strong interest in reading and writing, who would like to deepen their understanding of the creative process.
The module is structured as the follows: The introductory part, The Creative Process , focuses on developing a habit of writing. It examines a range of strategies to help you get started, including clustering, morning pages, and keeping a writer’s notebook, as well as discussions by writers about their own approaches and practices.
Part 2, Writing Fiction , explores the main aspects of narrative, including story structure and time; showing and telling; character and setting; point of view; and editing.
Part 3, Writing Poetry , introduces you to the basics of contemporary poetry, covering a variety of techniques designed for beginning poets. Topics include image and figurative language; the line in free verse; voice and diction; structure; rhyme and metre; the sonnet; and revising poems.
Part 4, Life Writing , looks at autobiography (or memoir) and biography. Some of the central issues raised by life writing are discussed, including the nature of memory and forgetting; the performance of the self; and the representation of others. Finding and researching subject matter and suitable forms are also explored.
The final part, Going Public , outlines the professional presentation of manuscripts and submissions to agents and editors, as well as finding outlets for publication.
At the core of the module is the module book Creative Writing: A Workbook with Readings: Second edition , which takes you week-by-week through the five parts. The emphasis is on practice through guided activities, supported by literary examples by a diverse range of authors, including prose extracts, stories, and poems illustrating particular methods or strategies. The online study material contains audios, videos, animations and other interactive exercises to enhance your learning, such as interviews with writers discussing their inspirations and techniques, or discussions with publishing industry professionals. Face-to-face and online tutorials offer additional opportunities to receive guidance and support from tutors.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor.
You'll have a tutor to help you with the study material and to mark and comment on your written work. You can ask your tutor for advice and guidance both in online forums and by email or phone. Your tutor also offers general support as you progress through the Workbook, which is the principal guide to your learning. Teaching will also be via online forums. Online tutor-group forums enable peer discussion of some of your work and allows tutors to make general points to the whole group.
There will be two day-schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Recordings of these tutorials will be available to download if you can't attend. Student numbers and the distribution of students taking the module, plus where tutors are based, will affect the locations of where tutorials are held. We cannot guarantee that face-to-face tutorials will be hosted in specific locations, or locations that have been used previously. Online alternatives to these tutorials will also be provided if you can’t attend in person.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system . The end-of-module assessment (EMA), which is an independent project, must also be submitted online.
Future availability
Creative writing starts once a year – in October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2023. We expect it to start for the last time in October 2033.
Regulations
Course work includes:, entry requirements.
No prior experience of creative writing study is necessary. This is an OU level 2 module and builds on the OU level 1 modules Discovering the arts and humanities (A111), and Cultures (A112) or The arts past and present (AA100) and Voices, texts and material culture (A105) (the latter two now discontinued). These OU level 1 introductory modules develop skills such as logical thinking, clear expression, essay writing and the ability to select and interpret relevant materials.
If you have not studied at university level before, you are strongly advised to study at OU level 1 before progressing to OU level 2 study.
If you're unsure about your English language skills and would like some additional support you might like to try our Developing academic English tutorials before registering on this module.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser .
Additional Costs
Study costs.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
Ways to pay for this module
Open university student budget account.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
- Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
- Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA) .
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
- Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
- You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.
Credit/debit card
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA) .
For more information about combining payment options, speak to an adviser or book a call back at a time convenient to you.
Can you study an Access module for free?
In order to qualify, you must:
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ACS Online Training | Over 750 courses available to study online now!
Biographical Writing BWR205
Learn to write biographies.
- Short or long
- Profiles and obituaries through to books
Like any kind of writing, biographies require a clear structure. Investing time in planning will help you determine the structure of your work, define a theme or themes, decide on the necessary research and source materials, a general word count, and the best way to present your information.
As you work, it is important to remember that no two biographies are the same. Find what is uniquely interesting about the person you are writing about; and with that as your reference point, the structure, themes and everything else should start to fall into place.
COURSE CONTENT
There are eight lessons that make up this course; as follows:
1. Scope and Nature of Biographical Writing
- The difference between a biography and autobiography
- Unauthorised biographies
- Using ghost writers in biographies
- Choosing your subject
- What do biographies cover?
- Fiction versus Non fiction
- Uses for biographies
- Biography vs. Memoir
2. Researching a Biography
- Types of Evidence.
- Using Evidence.
- Where to find evidence.
- Conducting an Interview.
- How to deal with conflicting sources and information.
- Citations and Referencing.
3. Developing Context
- Using themes
- Determining Your Theme
- Mapping links
- Defining purpose
- Developing the theme
- Themes and Structure
- Using Context
- General planning
- Unauthorised versus authorised biographies
- Considering rights
- Protecting copyright
4. Short Biographies
- Principles of the Short Biography
- How to start
- Distilling Information
- Social media bios
- Magazine profiles
- Professional bio
- Preparing to write from life experience
5. Comprehensive Biographies
- What makes a comprehensive biography comprehensive?
- Writing about living versus deceased
- Writing a Great Biography
- Voice in Writing
- Some essential writing skills
6. Planning a Biography
- The Short Outline.
- The Detail-Heavy Outline.
- Outlining the biography.
- Defining a theme, writing to a central theme.
- Word Budget.
- Organising Chapter Content.
7. Editing and Marketing a Biography
- Writing a Sales Package.
- The Publishing Process.
- Publishing Processes for Ebooks.
- Self-Publishing Your Work.
- Distributing and Selling your Work.
- Grants for Writing.
8. Project: Writing a Biography
Course Duration - 100 hours
HOW DO YOU START WRITING A BIOGRAPHY
Writing any biography should start with a clear purpose, then a theme should be developed that fits that purpose and is appropriate to the context of the story.
Define the Purpose Who is your reader? Some biographies may be written for people who already know the person, but others may be about people unknown to the readers. Consider why you are writing this book? You may have been commissioned to write it by a publisher, by the subject of the biography, or by a relative or associate.
What do you want your reader to take away from the book? Knowing your purpose will help you determine a theme and develop it. It will also be helpful when you reach the outlining stage. Developing the theme A life story is a very big thing. On the day you turn 60, you will have lived 3,120 weeks, or 21,900 days, or 525,600 hours. There are 8,760 hours in a year. Even if you wrote just one page for every two hours of your life, you’d still have 4,380 pages. And many of them would be boring: it is the rare reader who wants to know when you slept, for how long, and what you ate upon rising each day.
Using a theme helps you identify what to include and what to leave out. Once you’ve determined a theme, it’s time to develop it. Think about how you can turn your theme into questions. Can you answer one or more of these questions in your chapters or sections? Why/why not? As an example, here are some questions we could use for a dancer’s journey biography:
- Why does dance make you feel like you belong?
- When you feel like you don’t belong, is there a specific quality or idea behind the feeling? (e.g. working in classical dance vs. contemporary dance etc.)
- Thinking back, when did you feel most at home in a group? Why?
- How do you think moving around as a child and teen affected the way you interact with people?
Note that these questions are open-ended. They provide a starting point for some of the stories and chapter structure for the book, while still relating back to the main theme. As you work through, you’ll find some of your questions are very Big Picture, and might cover several chapters, while others are quite focussed, and may relate only to a small, but important, event. Themes and Structure A biography’s theme may affect its overall structure. For instance, the Australian food writer and restaurateur Stephanie Alexander has a cookbook companion memoir which relates recipes and her cooking style to events in her life. The recipes she refers to are included throughout the text. Similarly, the English food writer and cook Nigella Lawson writes recipe books which include a biographical element: many of her texts include discussion of how she learned a recipe or technique and how it has affected her life in a tangible manner.
Writing centred around travel is often more likely to divide life events and discussion into sections or chapters defined by place. A memoir about the author’s time in Italy might divide the content into sections named for the cities visited.
The “mummy memoir”, counterpart to the “mummy blog”, might be divided into ages and stages sections, such as “Terrible Twos” and “Preschool”, or sections about each specific child, such as “Betty”, “James”, “Theresa” etc. Once you know your work’s theme, spend time reading other works in the area. Study their structures; keep notes on what appeals to you and why. Although many biographies are linear, they do not have to be. The material point is to communicate pieces of the subject’s story in the way the best relates to the reader. Using Context Context is about the circumstances surrounding an idea or event. When we talk about contextualising something, we’re talking about providing extra information to help understand it, and the perspective it is written from. A simple example: “I’m going to kill you”.
What do these words mean? Should we interpret them literally – death is in the cards? Or should we interpret them figuratively – we’re in big trouble? If we have context, i.e. extra information, like who is speaking, how they’re speaking, and who they’re speaking to, we can work out the appropriate interpretation.
Biographies do require context. The events in a biography are situated in some greater context: writings about a particular event, like the Ukraine declaring independence from the USSR, or writings about life in the 18th century. Thinking about how your work fits into a greater body of work will help you:
- determine what’s different about your subject
- determine a new perspective, or a fresh take on the subject and area
This work will also contribute to your overall theme. Contextualisation can also help you reach your reader. If you were writing about your marriage ending in divorce, you could contextualise your story by starting with information about how many marriages end in divorce in your age group, and common reasons. This can help you build a relationship with the person reading your work.
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Autobiography Writing Diploma
Duration: 0 hours
Access: Lifetime Access
Approved by: CPD
Learning Type:
Cost: £50.00
Why you should study with us
Course Description
Example certificate, what you will learn.
- What a biography is
- The practical aspects of becoming a writer
- The lives and works of famous biographers
- How to identify your target market
- Working with your chosen subject and an extensive list of interview questions
- The ethics of writing a biography, what to include and what to omit
- How to create a research plan, organise your research, and tell your subject's story
- The technical aspects of writing and structure and keeping it interesting and dynamic
- Developing self-confidence and belief in your abilities
- Finding your own writing style
- Writing your autobiography
- Different publishing options, and how to approach publishers and deal with rejection
Benefits of the Biographical Writing Diploma
- The ability to study anywhere at times that suit you
- Study at your own pace, with no deadlines: complete it as quickly or as slowly as you like
- Use any internet enabled device to study on, including computers, tablets and mobile phones
- Follow the course easily thanks to short, informative modules, which make studying fun
- A convenient online support system, helping you to stay on track throughout the course
- A comprehensive curriculum, providing you with the knowledge you need to begin writing biographies
- Improved prospects when contacting publishers
- Earning a certified, recognised diploma
- An affordable cost
This course includes
24/7 Student Support
End of course certification
Lifetime access to your course
Compatible with modern devices
Module 1: Introduction to Biographical Writing
- What is biographical writing?
- Why pursue biographical writing as a career?
- Why pursue autobiographical writing?
- The basics of what to include in a biography
Module 2 : What do you need to Become a Good Biographical Writer?
- What tools you'll need to become a biographical writer
- What personal skills a biographical writer should possess
- The upsides and downsides of working from home as a writer
- How to conduct great research and turn it into something interesting to read
Module 3 : Be Guided by the Best – a Look at other Successful Biographical Writers
- William Shawcross, journalist and biographer of the Shah of Iran and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
- Norman Mailer, novelist, playwright and Pulitzer Prize winning biographer of Lee Harvey Oswald
- Robert Lacy, British historian and Royal biographer
- Andrew Morton, sensational biographical writer of Diana: Her True Story
Module 4: Identifying Your Target Demographic
- General tips on how to identify your target audience
- Why readers love big biographies
- Reasons why people should read more biographies, that may help you consider your target audience
- Where biographies are in the leading book genres
Module 5 : Interviewing and Working Closely with Your Subject
- Tips for a meaningful biographical interview
- Thoughts to keep in mind when conducting a life interview
- How to bond with your subject through their ancestors
- Some great biography interview questions - beyond the obvious
Module 6 : Undertaking Accurate and Thorough Research
- Different approaches to biographical research
- What to look for in a good biography - and what your readers will query
- How to conduct thorough research
- Getting it right - the importance of truth and accuracy
Module 7 : Planning the Full Biography
- The process of deciding a subject
- Formulating a research plan
- The steps to writing a biography - getting everything in order
- A basic biographical writing frame to elaborate on
Module 8 : How to Make Boring Facts Seem More Interesting
- Easy tips on how to fix a bad biography
- Why your subject's life story can seem boring, and how to make it better without embellishing the truth
- How to prevent boring your readers to sleep
- Considering the factors that could make your writing dull to read
Module 9 : Ensuring the Best Flow from Start to Finish
- The key ingredients to make your writing flow
- Drafting a fluid outline or biographical sketch
- Great transition words to ensure your writing isn't choppy
- Structuring your biographical details for flow and consistency
Module 10 : Improving Your Confidence and Sense of Purpose as a Biographical Writer
- How to build your writing confidence
- Secrets for writing with confidence
- How to overcome writer's doubt
- Tips for writing with a sense of purpose
Module 11 : Practical Writing Exercises in the Biography Writing Niche
- A miniature biography writing outline
- A quick and easy autobiographical exercise
- Choosing a brief biography and identifying how you could elaborate on it
- Simple writing exercises to get you thinking
Module 12 : Tackling Your Own Autobiography
- What an autobiography is and what should you include
- Ideas for getting started with your autobiography
- Organising your details and what you must consider
- Tips for making your biography more exciting
Module 13 : Dealing with Publishers and Selling Your Biography
- Publishing methods to consider and accumulating validation
- Whether you should consider the self-publishing route
- What to do if you get rejected and common reasons manuscripts are rejected
- Taking steps towards self-publishing or publishing online, along with several top tips for self-publishing
of achievement
This certificate is presented to
For completing the
on 21st November 2023
Selena Hurford
Course Tutor
Daniel Morgan
Head of Academy
Who can take the Autobiography Writing Diploma course?
Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.
What is the structure of the course?
The course is broken down into 13 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.
Where / when can I study the course?
You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!
Is there a test at the end of the course?
Once you have completed all 13 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 13 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.
What is the pass mark for the test?
The pass mark for the test is 70%.
What happens if I fail the test?
If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.
When will I receive my certificate?
Once you have completed your test you can log in to your account and download/print your certificate any time you need it. If you would prefer us to post you a certificate to a UK address, there will be an admin charge of £10 (certificates sent internationally may cost more).
How can I pay?
You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.
How long after payment can I begin the course?
You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.
How long does it take to complete the Autobiography Writing Diploma course?
We estimate that the course will take about 0 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.
How long is my certificate valid for?
Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.
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5 Universities offering Biography Writing courses abroad
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Are you looking for Biography Writing courses? Here you can find course providers offering full-time, part-time, online or distance learning options for courses abroad. Try using our course matcher tool to identify the best institution for your study criteria.
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University of Leicester
THE World Ranking: 163
University of Buckingham
Goldsmiths, university of london.
THE World Ranking: 501
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Open Training and Education Network (OTEN)
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Qualification, university name, masters degrees in biography writing.
3 degrees at 2 universities in the UK.
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MA Creative & Life Writing
Goldsmiths, university of london.
- 1 year Full time degree: 8,620 per year (UK)
- 2 years Part time degree: 4,310 per year (UK)
- Contemporary Contexts for Creative and Life Writing (30 Credits) - Core
- Creative and Life Writing Portfolio (60 Credits) - Core
- Workshop in Creative and Life Writing (30 Credits) - Core
- View all modules
MA Biography
University of buckingham.
- 1 year Full time degree: 9,576 per year (UK)
- 2 years Part time degree: 4,788 per year (UK)
MA Research Biography
- 1 year Full time degree: 7,704 per year (UK)
- 6 months Full time degree: 3,240 per year (UK)
- 2 years Part time degree: 3,852 per year (UK)
- Autobiography
- Dissertation
- Research Methods
- Special Paper in Biography
Course type:
- Full time Masters
- Part time Masters
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Related subjects:.
Biographical Writing
Be a biographer! Learn to write a biography, family history, biographical novel, write a biographical magazine article or even an obituary. Great online course - learn from dedicated and enthusiastic tutors.
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All prices in Australian Dollars.
- Description
- Course FAQs
- Meet the Academics
- Related Ebooks
Learn the importance of research and research techniques
Learn about different types of research, where to start gathering information, and how to apply the art of fiction to the craft of a biography. In the final lesson, you'll write a 2000 - 4000 word biography and receive individual feedback from our academic staff.
Biographical writing can be large-scale, and cover a person's whole life, or it can be small scale, and cover only a short period, from a week to a few years. Sometimes the subject's life is the entire focus. Other times, it's his or her work, or their life in the context of a particular philosophy or achievement.
A biography is neither a diary nor a journal. It's more than a collection of ‘she did this’ and ‘he did that’. Although biographies are writing about life, it's more useful to think of them as a collection of writings about life events. What are the key events? How do these tie around a central theme or purpose?
Lesson Structure
There are 8 lessons in this course:
- The difference between a biography and autobiography
- Unauthorised biographies
- Using ghost writers in biographies
- Choosing your subject
- Biography vs. Memoir
- Types of Evidence
- Using Evidence
- Where to find evidence
- Conducting an Interview
- How to deal with conflicting sources and information
- Citations and Referencing
- Determining Your Theme
- Developing the theme
- Themes and Structure
- Using Context
- Principles of the Short Biography
- Distilling Information
- Preparing to write from life experience
- What makes a comprehensive biography comprehensive?
- Writing a Great Biography
- Voice in Writing
- The Short Outline
- The Detail-Heavy Outline
- Outlining the biography
- Defining a theme, writing to a central theme
- Word Budget
- Organising Chapter Content
- Writing a Sales Package
- The Publishing Process
- Publishing Processes for Ebooks
- Self-Publishing Your Work
- Distributing and Selling your Work
- Grants for Writing
- In this final lesson, you will bring together everything that you have been learning to undertake research and construct a first draft of a biographical piece of between 2,000 and 4,000 words.
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
- Determine when, why, where and how biographies are written.
- Determine sources of information and then acquire appropriate information for a biography.
- To decide on the type of biography and context in which it should be developed, based upon researched information.
- Write different types of short biographies to meet different purposes.
- Analyse a life to determine the structure, style and content of a comprehensive biography that could become a small book, large book, or screenplay.
- Plan a type of biography.
- Determine how a biographical manuscript may be dealt with after writing is completed by the author; to produce and market a finished product.
- Apply knowledge and skills developed throughout this course, to research and produce a biographical short story.
What You Will Do
- Discuss how topics are integrated into a biography and how they help or hinder the work.
- Create a biographical timeline.
- Locate a biography, in print or online, and assess the referencing used.
- Identify a theme or themes in a biographical work and think about how events in the work tie back to the theme.
- Research copyright and libel laws in your area.
- Research letters requesting information or interviews with experts or other sources.
- Locate two pieces of primary evidence, then two pieces of secondary evidence for the topic of your choice. Keep notes on how you found your evidence and what makes it primary and secondary respectively.
- Research short bios of “ordinary” people.
- Analyse the life of a person you’d like to write about. Look at this task from the perspective of deciding what content you would include and the best structure and style to use for this particular subject.
Examples of biographical writing might include:
- An historical account of someone's life, such as the explorer Douglas Mawson
- An account of someone's philosophy in the context of their life, sometimes generally, sometimes for motivational reasons.collection of interviews about a person's life
- A feature article discussing only one or two aspects of the subject's life, through empirical research or anecdotal research (interviews with the subject, people who know the subject etc.)
- A biopic, or film representation of a person's life – the screenplays or teleplays for such work are a form of biographical writing
- A play about a subject's life, or period in their life.
A biography may be short or long, a book or short story, a profile written for promotional purposes or an obituary to celebrate a person's life.
ENROL or Use our FREE Course Advice Service to Connect with a Tutor
How can I start this course?
You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines. Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete. If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student registration. Recommencement fees may apply.
Simply click on the ENROL OPTIONS button at the top of this screen and follow the prompts.
You can see the course price at the top of this page. Click 'enrolment options' to see any payment options available.
You can pay by Credit Card, PayPal, Afterpay or bank transfer.
Yes! We have payment plans for most courses. Click 'enrolment options' to see the available payment plans. We also have Afterpay that will allow you to pay for your course or payment plans in four instalments (if you are in Australia).
What do I need to know before I enrol?
There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone. If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.
You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.
We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program. We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.
You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.
Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.
We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments. If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.
This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.
Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.
Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.
This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.
It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.
The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.
Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.
Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later. There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).
Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.
We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.
Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.
We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.
Each module (short course) is completed with one exam. Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam. More information is here
There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.
When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.
You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.
Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.
Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.
ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email [email protected]
Who are ACS Distance Education?
ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.
We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years. We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future. We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience. You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace. We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.
Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.
Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.
How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?
Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form
We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form
We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.
Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.
What if I have any more questions or need more information?
We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email ([email protected]) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.
Take a look at their testimonials here.
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Our terms and conditions of enrolment are here.
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The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.
Unsure about which course is best for you?
In my role within a large Aged Care Facility a great deal of my employment is spent in the area of Turf management and garden care/refurbishment. With ACS I was able to study at my own pace allowing me to put into practise and thoroughly research the subject matter broadening my knowledge and study experience further. I enjoyed the way in which the subject matter was presented as it allowed you to study each subject further, allowing for greater depth, clarity and knowledge. Overall there are not many areas in which the course subject matter will not turn out to be invaluable, everything is covered to allow you to become successful within your own business or place of employment. A big thank you to Gavin Cole [tutor] and all at ACS. It was a pleasure to study with ACS, look forward to further study.
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Autobiography Writing Certification
Duration: 15 hours
Access: Lifetime Access
Approved by: CPD
Learning Type:
Cost: $120.00
Why you should study with us
Course Description
Example certificate.
The Autobiography Writing Certification has all the information that any aspiring autobiography writer needs to become successful in this writing genre.
This course contains all the knowledge needed to write a commercially viable biography, and become an authority on your subject. From choosing the right person, to interviewing techniques, to ensuring your writing brings your subject to life, this course covers it all.
You will receive a comprehensive introduction to writing gripping biographies and a thorough understanding of how to achieve success in the biography industry.
Introduction to the Autobiographical Writing Certification
This online course provides students with the opportunity to cover the certification's curriculum in their own time and at their own pace. Most students are able to complete the course in a reasonable amount of time while continuing to work full time.
As this course is online, this certification is accessible from any device with an internet connection, and you will have access to online support during your study.
Before completing the course, you must pass a comprehensive test, covering the curriculum in detail, which will lead to the award of your certificate.
You can download and print the certificate yourself at home, or we can post it to you for a small additional cost.
What You Will Learn
This Autobiography Writing Certification has been designed to give students a comprehensive overview of how to become a biographical writer, and will set you on the route to success. This course will cover:
- What a biography is
- The practical aspects of becoming a writer
- The lives and works of famous biographers
- How to identify your target market
- Working with your chosen subject and an extensive list of interview questions
- The ethics of writing a biography, what to include and what to omit
- How to create a research plan, organize your research, and tell your subject's story
- The technical aspects of writing and structure and keeping it interesting and dynamic
- Developing self-confidence and belief in your abilities
- Finding your own writing style
- Writing your autobiography
- Different publishing options, and how to approach publishers and deal with rejection
Benefits of the Autobiography Writing Certification
The Autobiography Writing Certification offers students the following benefits:
- The ability to study anywhere at times that suit you
- Study at your own pace, with no deadlines: complete it as quickly or as slowly as you like
- Use any internet enabled device to study on, including computers, tablets and mobile phones
- Follow the course easily thanks to short, informative modules, which make studying fun
- A convenient online support system, helping you to stay on track throughout the course
- A comprehensive curriculum, providing you with the knowledge you need to begin writing biographies
- Improved prospects when contacting publishers
- Earning a certified, recognized certification
- An affordable cost
This course includes
24/7 Student Support
End of course certification
Lifetime access to your course
Compatible with modern devices
Module 1: Introduction to Biographical Writing
- What is biographical writing?
- Why pursue biographical writing as a career?
- Why pursue autobiographical writing?
- The basics of what to include in a biography
Module 2 : What do you need to Become a Good Biographical Writer?
- What tools you'll need to become a biographical writer
- What personal skills a biographical writer should possess
- The upsides and downsides of working from home as a writer
- How to conduct great research and turn it into something interesting to read
Module 3 : Be Guided by the Best – a Look at other Successful Biographical Writers
- William Shawcross, journalist and biographer of the Shah of Iran and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
- Norman Mailer, novelist, playwright and Pulitzer Prize winning biographer of Lee Harvey Oswald
- Robert Lacy, British historian and Royal biographer
- Andrew Morton, sensational biographical writer of Diana: Her True Story
Module 4: Identifying Your Target Demographic
- General tips on how to identify your target audience
- Why readers love big biographies
- Reasons why people should read more biographies, that may help you consider your target audience
- Where biographies are in the leading book genres
Module 5 : Interviewing and Working Closely with Your Subject
- Tips for a meaningful biographical interview
- Thoughts to keep in mind when conducting a life interview
- How to bond with your subject through their ancestors
- Some great biography interview questions - beyond the obvious
Module 6 : Undertaking Accurate and Thorough Research
- Different approaches to biographical research
- What to look for in a good biography - and what your readers will query
- How to conduct thorough research
- Getting it right - the importance of truth and accuracy
Module 7 : Planning the Full Biography
- The process of deciding a subject
- Formulating a research plan
- The steps to writing a biography - getting everything in order
- A basic biographical writing frame to elaborate on
Module 8 : How to Make Boring Facts Seem More Interesting
- Easy tips on how to fix a bad biography
- Why your subject's life story can seem boring, and how to make it better without embellishing the truth
- How to prevent boring your readers to sleep
- Considering the factors that could make your writing dull to read
Module 9 : Ensuring the Best Flow from Start to Finish
- The key ingredients to make your writing flow
- Drafting a fluid outline or biographical sketch
- Great transition words to ensure your writing isn't choppy
- Structuring your biographical details for flow and consistency
Module 10 : Improving Your Confidence and Sense of Purpose as a Biographical Writer
- How to build your writing confidence
- Secrets for writing with confidence
- How to overcome writer's doubt
- Tips for writing with a sense of purpose
Module 11 : Practical Writing Exercises in the Biography Writing Niche
- A miniature biography writing outline
- A quick and easy autobiographical exercise
- Choosing a brief biography and identifying how you could elaborate on it
- Simple writing exercises to get you thinking
Module 12 : Tackling Your Own Autobiography
- What an autobiography is and what should you include
- Ideas for getting started with your autobiography
- Organizing your details and what you must consider
- Tips for making your biography more exciting
Module 13 : Dealing with Publishers and Selling Your Biography
- Publishing methods to consider and accumulating validation
- Whether you should consider the self-publishing route
- What to do if you get rejected and common reasons manuscripts are rejected
- Taking steps towards self-publishing or publishing online, along with several top tips for self-publishing
of achievement
This certificate is presented to
For completing the
on 21st November 2023
Selena Hurford
Course Tutor
Daniel Morgan
Head of Academy
Who can take the Autobiography Writing Certification course?
Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.
What is the structure of the course?
The course is broken down into 13 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.
Where / when can I study the course?
You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!
Is there a test at the end of the course?
Once you have completed all 13 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 13 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.
What is the pass mark for the test?
The pass mark for the test is 70%.
What happens if I fail the test?
If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.
When will I receive my certificate?
Once you have completed your test you can log in to your account and download/print your certificate any time you need it. If you would prefer us to post you a certificate to a UK address, there will be an admin charge of £10 (certificates sent internationally may cost more).
How can I pay?
You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.
How long after payment can I begin the course?
You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.
How long does it take to complete the Autobiography Writing Certification course?
We estimate that the course will take about 15 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.
How long is my certificate valid for?
Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.
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I decided to change career and few of my friends did similar on line courses and now work as teaching assistants. This course is very well written and understandable.There is a lot of important information,all the chapters are well proportioned and enjoyable to read and understand. I really liked worksheets on the end of modules which give you chance to summarise all the important parts in each module.I can recommend this course to anyone who would be interested in becoming teaching assistant.
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If a person has a valid certificate issued by us, this means only that they have taken our detailed on-line course and understood the material well enough to pass a final test by answering at least 70% of the test questions correctly.
We have not performed any additional tests or checks on such person (whether prior to or after issuing them with a certificate) including, without limitation, any identity, background, criminal record or any other security checks. It is your responsibility to undertake such tests or checks on such person as would be considered reasonably necessary, including, without limitation, enquiry as to their skills, expertise & experience, practical tests as to the quality of their work, and the obtaining of references in this regard.
While nothing in this disclaimer excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury arising from our negligence, or our fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by English law, we will not be liable to any third party for any loss or damage, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, even if foreseeable, arising under or in connection with any use of or reliance on any certificate issued by us.
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Biographical writing, biographical writing 100 hours certificate course, enrolling made simple.
Learn About Biographical Writing
Biographical Writing online BWR205: A biography is neither a diary nor a journal. It’s more than a collection of ‘she did this’ and ‘he did that’.
Although biographies are writing about life, it’s more useful to think of them as a collection of writings about life events. i.e. What are the key events in your subject’s life? How do these tie around a central theme or purpose?
For example. Let’s say a Biographer wanted to write about the life and works of the Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson. Here are some of the events he or she would need to cover:
• Birth – 1882, Shipley, England • Moved to Australia aged 2 • Started travelling as a geologist after graduation • First expedition – with Ernest Shackleton, at age 25 • First person to go to South Magnetic Pole. First person to reach the summit of Mount Erebus • Death (or end of our written biography)
The Biography should be split into three sections:
This distance learning course, designed by people qualified to give people the very best tuition in biographical writing techniques, will help you write an enjoyable, informative and well researched biography of a famous person, someone you know, or even the story of your own life achievements and experiences.
Course Information
Learning goals, practical (set tasks), how our courses work, what's included.
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Lesson structure: biographical writing bwr205.
There are 8 lessons:
1 Scope and Nature of Biographical Writing
- The difference between a biography and autobiography
- Unauthorised biographies
- Using ghost writers in biographies
- Choosing your subject
- Biography vs. Memoir
2 Researching a Biography
- Types of Evidence
- Using Evidence
- Where to find evidence
- Conducting an Interview
- How to deal with conflicting sources and information
- Citations and Referencing
3 Developing Context
- Determining Your Theme
- Developing the theme
- Themes and Structure
- Using Context
4 Short Biographies
- Principles of the Short Biography
- Distilling Information
- Preparing to write from life experience
5 Comprehensive Biographies
- What makes a comprehensive biography comprehensive?
- Writing a Great Biography
- Voice in Writing
6 Planning a Biography
- The Short Outline
- The Detail-Heavy Outline
- Outlining the biography
- Defining a theme, writing to a central theme
- Word Budget
- Organising Chapter Content
7 Editing and Marketing a Biography
- Writing a Sales Package
- The Publishing Process
- Publishing Processes for Ebooks
- Self-Publishing Your Work
- Distributing and Selling your Work
- Grants for Writing
8 Project – Writing a Biographical Sto r y
- In this final lesson, you will bring together everything that you have been learning to undertake research and construct a first draft of a biographical piece of between 2,000 and 4,000 words.
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Learning Goals: Biographical Writing BWR205:
- Determine when, why, where and how biographies are written
- Determine sources of information and then acquire appropriate information for a biography
- To decide on the type of biography and context in which it should be developed, based upon researched information
- Write different types of short biographies to meet different purposes
- Analyse a life to determine the structure, style and content of a comprehensive biography that could become a small book, large book, or screenplay
- Plan a type of biography
- Determine how a biographical manuscript may be dealt with after writing is completed by the author; to produce and market a finished product
- Apply knowledge and skills developed throughout this course, to research and produce a biographical short story
Practicals: Biographical Writing BWR205:
- Discuss how topics are integrated into a biography and how they help or hinder the work.
- Create a biographical timeline.
- Locate a biography, in print or online, and assess the referencing used.
- Identify a theme or themes in a biographical work and think about how events in the work tie back to the theme.
- Research copyright and libel laws in your area.
- Research letters requesting information or interviews with experts or other sources.
- Locate two pieces of primary evidence, then two pieces of secondary evidence for the topic of your choice. Keep notes on how you found your evidence and what makes it primary and secondary respectively.
- Research short bios of “ordinary” people.
- Analyse the life of a person you’d like to write about. Look at this task from the perspective of deciding what content you would include and the best structure and style to use for this particular subject.
Examinations
More information.
Assessment is based on a combination of completing all assignments and sitting for a final short one and a half hour exam, in your own location.
If you don’t cope well with exams then you may elect to undertake a project instead. This is a popular option.
In addition, most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson placed before the assignment. This is an opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge and skills and practical experience. This ADL feature is an added bonus not found at most online schools. Set Tasks are not required for assessment.
Some courses also have optional Self-Tests which are available on our online learning platform. These are not available by correspondence or by USB, and do not form part of your overall grade.
- Choose Your Learning Method You choose how you would like to receive your course material, i.e., Online, USB or Correspondence. The choice is yours. You may also work on online or offline.
- Tutor Allocation Every student is assigned their own dedicated tutor who is an expert in their subject area. They provide as much or as little individual contact as you require. You can contact your tutor whenever you need – your hours are not limited.
- Feedback and Assignments Tutor Feedback is an essential component in helping you understand the subject matter. Tutor feedback is given in the form of notes written on the assignment. We encourage you to contact your Tutor where help with clarification and understanding of course material may be required. Your assignments are located at the end of each lesson. You submit them for marking whenever you are ready. There is no time limit.
- Set Tasks and Self-Tests Most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson before for the assignment. This is where you get the opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge, skills and practical experience. Many modules also have short Self-Tests.
- Exams Once all assignments have been completed you may then elect to sit for a one and half hour exam in your own location. If you prefer not to take the exam you do have the option to undertake a project instead. Once the exam or project part of the course is completed, your Certificate is then processed. Please allow approximately 4 weeks for this.
- Design Your Own Qualification ADL offers students the flexibility to self-design their own qualification – bundling together a combination of 100-hour modules into a qualification higher than a certificate.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here is a list of the most often asked faq’s..
Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning? A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.
Q. Do I need to buy text books? A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.
Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc) A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.
Q. Is there an age limit? A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.
Q. Are your courses up-to date? A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.
Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy? A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.
Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students? A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook ! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.
Q. When can I enrol/start? A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.
Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world? A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.
Q. How long do I have to complete the course? A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.
Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take? A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.
Q. Assessment – how does it work? A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project , instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location .
Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do? A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.
Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work? A. Yes –
Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module? A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.
Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done? A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.
Qualifications
Q. What qualification will I receive? A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here .
Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification? A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.
Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript? A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.
Q. Our tutors – who are they? A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.
Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time? A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.
Q. Practical work – How is this done? A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here .
Career Options
What your tuition fees include.
- All Course Material via Online, USB or Correspondence
- Assignments Marked
- Professional Tutor Feedback
- Set Tasks - Practical Exercises to help you develop skills
- Self-Tests – multiple choice questions at the end of lessons in most modules
- Unlimited Personal Tutor Support – via our student classroom
- Committed and Friendly Admin Support – vital to your success
- All ADL Exam or Project fees (exception RHS exams)
- Qualification Certificate
- Official Transcript with assignment grades
- Student Manual
- Academic Writing course (optional - 10 hours only)
- Critical Thinking course (optional - 10 hours only)
- Job Seekers Careers Guide
- Study Tips on How To Study Better
- Career Counselling by ADL Staff
- CV Writing Help, Tips and Advice
There are no hidden extras
Faq - rhs theory qualifications.
If you require further details about any of the RHS industry recognised qualifications please, call one of our friendly RHS Course Advisors on +44 (0)1227 789 649 or email: [email protected]
Q: When can I Enrol/Start My RHS Course With ADL? A: Anytime, Anywhere. There are no enrolment deadlines.
Q: I live Overseas. Can I Study From Overseas? A: You can study any of the RHS theory qualifications overseas. All courses are offered in English. You will need to email RHS Qualifications direct to arrange sitting for your examination overseas.
Q: Is There a Time Limit for Completing an RHS Qualification? A: At present there are no time limits. However, RHS is contemplating in the future, the introduction of course time-lines.
Q: Are There Any Entry Requirements (Pre-Requisites)? A: The RHS Theory courses do not require prerequisites, previous experience or any knowledge of horticulture. You just need passion for all things horticulture.
Q: What Course Should I Start With First? I Am New To RHS Qualifications. A: We highly recommend that you start with Level 2 – Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance.
Q: What Does ADL Course Material Include? A: Includes Power Point Presentations, Videos and written course lessons.
Q: When Do Exams Take Place? A: Exams are held on fixed dates in February and June of each year. You should register as a candidate at least 3 months before these dates, so please do not leave exam registration to the last minute
Q: Where Do I Take My Exams? A: UK: You take the exams at the RHS Wisley Centre, located between Cobham and Ripley in Surrey or at other authorised RHS centres around the UK. Overseas: please email RHS qualifications direct for centre information.
Q: Exam Pass Marks? A: Module – pass 50%. Commendation 70%.
Qualification: 50% pass for all modules. Commendation awarded for all modules. Each question carries a value of 10 marks.
Q: I’m Not Happy With My Exam Results? A: You have the opportunity to re-sit your exam at the next opportunity.
There are no restrictions on the number of re-sits you can take. The highest mark you achieve will remain.,
- Course Features
- Work Experience
- Terms & Conditions
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- www.adlonlinecourses.com
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Biographical Writing Online Course Learn about writing a biography - from the planning through to publishing and marketing. Books, articles, online profiles, CV's, obituaries and more Need Assistance? 01384 442752(UK) HOME Our Courses Horticulture All Horticulture Courses Crops General Horticulture Herbs Home Gardening Hydroponics Landscaping
The Autobiography/Biography Writing Diploma has all the information that any aspiring auto/biography writer needs to become successful in this writing genre in the UK. This course contains all the knowledge needed to write a commercially viable biography, and become an authority on your subject.
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 pro...
The biography is one of the most popular and enduring genres of nonfiction writing. This course teaches students the skills needed to bring people to life through biographical writing. Students read excerpts from different types of biography—scholarly, popular, and experimental—as well as read about the process of writing biography.
Postgraduate Biography Writing 6 degrees at 4 universities in the UK. NEW SEARCH Communications and Media Biography Writing COURSE LOCATION UNIVERSITY CLEAR Customise your search Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study Biography Writing British Sign Language Broadcasting Studies Cinematography Communication Design
3 Universities in England offering Biography Writing degrees and courses More Information On Campus More filters 4 Sort University of Leicester UK THE World Ranking: 163 English courses available View 1 Biography Writing courses 28824 Views 641 Favourites courses Goldsmiths, University of London UK THE World Ranking: 501
Study Biographical Writing with ACS and learn about the processes of writing - from determining the initial concepts, through planning, and obtaining evidence, through to editing, publishing, and marketing a work. Lesson Structure There are 8 lessons in this course: Scope and Nature of Biographical Writing
Guardian Masterclasses How to write a biography: A practical workshop with Lara Feigel Lara Feigel leads this skill-sharpening virtual workshop that will help you to explore the essential...
This course will encourage participants to establish a writing regime. Schedule (this course is completed entirely online): Orientation Week: 21-27 October 2019. Teaching Weeks: 28 October-1 December 2019. Feedback Week: 2-8 December 2019. Each week of an online course is roughly equivalent to 2-3 hours of classroom time.
Our Writing the Memoir two-day workshop introduces students to the craft of memoir writing. The workshop is most suitable for those new to memoir writing, though more experienced writers are also welcome. 1 starting date Starting date: 20th May 2023 Duration: 2 days Time: 10:00am to 12:30pm Fees: £135 Occurs: Saturday and Sunday Location: Online
Introducing Ben Johncock. Benjamin Johncock is an award-winning novelist, short story writer and journalist. He was born in Canterbury in 1978 and studied ancient history and archaeology at the University of Birmingham. His debut novel, The Last Pilot, was published in the U.S. (Picador) and U.K. (Myriad) in 2015 to widespread critical acclaim.
It will help you to identify your strengths and interests as a writer by giving you the opportunity to write in a range of genres: fiction, poetry, autobiography and biography. The emphasis is on finding your own direction and style through experiment, practice and constructive feedback.
Writing a Great Biography; Voice in Writing; Some essential writing skills; 6. Planning a Biography. The Short Outline. The Detail-Heavy Outline. Outlining the biography. Defining a theme, writing to a central theme. Word Budget. Organising Chapter Content. 7. Editing and Marketing a Biography. Editing. Writing a Sales Package. The Publishing ...
This Autobiography Writing Diploma has been designed to give students a comprehensive overview of how to become a biographical writer, and will set you on the route to success. This course will cover: What a biography is. The practical aspects of becoming a writer. The lives and works of famous biographers.
University of Leicester UK THE World Ranking: 163 English courses available View 1 Biography Writing courses 28798 Views 631 Favourites courses University of Buckingham UK View 3 Biography Writing courses 2434 Views 4 Favourites Review (1) courses Goldsmiths, University of London UK THE World Ranking: 501 View 1 Biography Writing courses 5257 Views
This degree will help you develop your creative writing practice. You'll experiment with a wide variety of forms to help you discover your preferred mode of writing. Why study MA Creative & Life Writing... Read more Goldsmiths, University of London (3.9) 1 year Full time degree: £8,370 per year (UK/EU)
Biographical writing can be large-scale, and cover a person's whole life, or it can be small scale, and cover only a short period, from a week to a few years. Sometimes the subject's life is the entire focus. Other times, it's his or her work, or their life in the context of a particular philosophy or achievement.
Explore biography, reportage, nature writing or other of the many flourishing forms within the genre, on this 12-week online creative writing course. Whether you have started to write and would like help moving forward or simply have an idea you'd like to explore, this course will give you the essential tools you need to progress. Book now
This Autobiography Writing Certification has been designed to give students a comprehensive overview of how to become a biographical writer, and will set you on the route to success. This course will cover: What a biography is. The practical aspects of becoming a writer. The lives and works of famous biographers.
8 Project - Writing a Biographical Sto r y. In this final lesson, you will bring together everything that you have been learning to undertake research and construct a first draft of a biographical piece of between 2,000 and 4,000 words. Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors ...