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45 Best Essay Creative Writing Classes in 2026

Showing 45 courses that match your search.

Creative Writing Specialization

Wesleyan University

Offers instruction in three genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoir. Focuses on story crafting techniques, character development, and descriptive style. Includes peer evaluation and a capstone project.

Website: https://www.coursera.org/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Approximately 3-6 months to complete 5 courses, with an average of 10 hours of work per week.

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Getting Started with Essay Writing

University of California, Irvine

Focuses on thesis statement creation, planning and writing various essay types (compare/contrast, cause/effect, argument), and enhancing critical thinking and editing skills.

Website: https://www.coursera.org/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Intermediate

Length: Self-paced, est. 19 hours

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Secret Sauce of Great Writing

Udemy

Learn four essential ingredients of good writing: simplicity, clarity, elegance, evocativeness. The course enhances business writing, blogs, and copywriting skills.

Website: https://www.udemy.com/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced, est. 45 minutes

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

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Writing in the Sciences

Stanford

The course includes 8 modules covering effective writing principles, writing formats, peer review processes, and writing for broader audiences. It aims to help scientists improve writing skills through practical examples and exercises.

Website: https://www.coursera.org/learn/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced, est. 30 hours

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Essay and Report Writing Skills

OpenLearn

This course teaches how to interpret questions, plan, structure, and write assignments or reports effectively, enhancing academic writing skills.

Website: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: Self-paced, est. 15 hours

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Writing Workshop

Minneapolis Writers' Workshop

The Writing Workshop offers a supportive environment for writers of all levels to receive constructive feedback on their work. It includes weekly meetings, open read nights for sharing unpublished work, and opportunities for networking and skill development.

Website: https://minneapoliswritersworkshop.org/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

Open all year round

Price:

Free

Based in Minneapolis

Level: Any

Length: Weekly meetings (2 hours each)

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Introduction to Writing to Heal

GrubStreet

This seminar serves as an introduction to the therapeutic benefits of writing, focusing on how it can help individuals process trauma and adversity. Participants will engage in readings and in-class writing prompts, fostering a supportive environment.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

April, 2026

Price:

$85.00

Online course

Level: Beginner

Length: 3 hours, single session

Class size: 12 seats max

Crafting the Essay - Workshop

John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

This course focuses on personal essay writing through 10 assignments and peer feedback. Students develop skills in crafting vivid descriptions, employing figurative language, and revising their work. The course includes asynchronous workshops and reflection letters.

Website: https://cty.jhu.edu/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

January, 2026

Price:

$1,850.00

Online course

Level: Intermediate

Length: 10 weeks, 2 lessons per week

Class size: Unlimited

Prerequisites: CTY Grade 7–10

Jumpstart Your Writing

GrubStreet

This course is designed for both beginners and experienced writers, with a focus on creative writing through engaging exercises. Participants will explore character development, dialogue, and voice in various genres including fiction, poetry, and memoir. Classes also involve reading published works for inspiration.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/find-a-class/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

November, 2025

Price:

$395.00

Based in Boston

Level: Beginner

Length: 6 weeks, 3 hours per week

Class size: 12 seats max

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Create: Free Draft Generator

GrubStreet

A one-hour online seminar for all levels to respond to writing prompts, share work, and connect with other writers. It's designed to kickstart new writing projects and foster community.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/find-a-class/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

November, 2025

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Any

Length: 1 hour

Class size: 100

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

How to Write with Humor

GrubStreet

The course explores the elements of humor in writing, including incongruity, hyperbole, and dialogue. Participants will learn to use these techniques in fiction and essays to create engaging and entertaining narratives.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/

Categories: Essay

Start date:

November, 2025

Price:

$85.00

Online course

Level: Intermediate

Length: 3 hours

Class size: 50 Seats Max

Prerequisites: Students must have taken previous fiction workshops at GrubStreet or elsewhere.

Create: Free Draft Generator

GrubStreet

A one-hour session designed for both new and experienced writers to generate ideas for writing projects through engaging prompts and community interaction.

Website: https://grubstreet.org/find-a-class

Categories: Essay

Start date:

November, 2025

Price:

Free

Online course

Level: Any

Length: 1 hour

Class size: 100 seats maximum

How to choose an essay writing class

Looking to build your writing skillset, learn more about your genre, or finally finish that essay you’ve been working on? You’re in the right place. That’s why we built this directory of the best writing courses.

However, creative writing classes aren’t one size fit all. If you’re planning to join an essay writing class in particular, you’ll want to make sure that it matches what you’re seeking to learn about essay writing.

So make sure to consider the following questions when you’re researching essay writing courses:

  • Who is the instructor? How many years of experience do they have in essay writing?
  • Is there something in particular you’d like to learn about essay writing? Does this course include it?
  • How long is the course, and where is it taught?
  • How much does the essay writing course cost? Does it fit into your budget?

More essay writing resources

Whether you’re a new or established author, there are always evergreen resources out there to how to get a headstart on essay writing. 

Free online materials

Recommended books

 

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