Famous and infamous people fascinate us. Why? Through the examination of themes in the lives of well-known people, we will discover the stories embedded in our own lives and experiences. We will use these stories and themes as springboards to writing: memoir, autobiography, biographical sketches or fiction. The choice is yours!
Course aim
To identify and explore themes in the lives of famous people and our own lives and to enable participants to write about people of their choice or their own lives, either as fact or fiction.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
- As this is an online course via Zoom and using Canvas, you will need a device with good internet access, microphone and speaker, an email address and be able to navigate by clicking on links.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- search and discover biographical information about anyone whose life interests me.
- examine famous lives in a range of different ways.
- reflect on or write about aspects of my own life or the lives of others
- use the themes and techniques to create my own stories, factual or fictional.
What else do I need to know?
This is an online course on Zoom and using Canvas. You will find the course materials on Canvas. You are encouraged to bring a notebook to use, as well as your computer, laptop or tablet.
View full course information sheet







