Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop (Session 1)

Writers discover what they want to say—their ideas, images, narrative direction—in the act of writing (and rewriting). Writing, thinking, and imagining, in other words, are part of the same creative process. Thus, at Young Writers, students write to explore ideas, then develop those ideas through further writing. Because good writers are also avid readers, students read short stories, poems, and essays, which they discuss, write about, and use as inspiration for their own work. Workshop groups (with no more than thirteen students in each group) meet for five hours a day. In addition to freewriting exercises and responses to “prompts,” students write stories, poetry, personal narratives, dialogues, reflective passages, and experimental pieces. They also use writing to explore, creatively and analytically, short works by established authors. While traditional expository essays are not assigned (nor is any work at Young Writers graded), a number of our exercises help students approach difficult texts, formulating their own questions and ideas—skills that will serve them well in writing papers for school and college. Young Writers is a two-week residential program. The total cost, including tuition, accommodations, all meals, and activities, is $2,375. Kenyon is committed to socioeconomic diversity, and some financial aid is available for students who demonstrate financial need as part of their application. To apply for financial aid, please fill out the financial aid section of the online application. Application process includes: online application, essay, transcript, letter of recommendation, optional financial aid documentation.