Duke Young Writers

This summer, choose from a list of writing courses that reads like an adventure novel: Myth, Magic, Monsters: Making a World; Paper Cuts, Words that Wound and Win; and Dark Fiction: Living on the Edge. And this is just a sampling of the dozens of courses to choose from! In the Young Writers’ Program for Middle and High School, you’ll spend two weeks meeting fellow writers, honing your craft, exploring new genres, and experiencing a writing community like no other. You’ll put plenty of words on the page, yes, but you may also find yourself acting out the lives and situations of fictional characters, rapping and performing poetry and song, or developing an ear for dialogue by listening in on conversations on Durham’s Ninth Street. Our most beloved program to date, the Young Writers’ Program holds all the magic of a true “summer camp” experience. You’ll go home with a full notebook, a full heart, and new confidence in your skill as a writer. A letter from Mitch Cox, Duke Young Writers Academic Director: Dear Young Writers and Their Parents and Teachers, Welcome to Duke Young Writers, Summer 2020. If you’re new to Duke Young Writers Program or Duke Youth Programs, you’ll want to read on about what our program has to offer middle school- and high school-aged Participants. If you’re familiar with the Program, you may want to view the tentative courses listed on this website in December; full course descriptions will be online by mid-January. In either case, Duke University Continuing Education Youth Programs Director Thomas Patterson and I have prepared an exciting curriculum. Why do young people choose Duke Young Writers? Here are some reasons noted by past Participants: It’s not like school: Imagine a place where learning and fun are the same. It’s a stress-free, nonjudgmental, open environment. It gives participants freedom to write on topics and genres that interest Participants. It teaches “the rules” for writing, but also ways to break those rules. Even its academic classes allow students to be creative. It’s full of writing exercises that tease the mind and bond you with fellow Participants. It’s a place to find and make friends; it’s a place to find people like you. Why should parents select this program or teachers recommend it?