Live Lectures take place weekly on Tuesdays from 7–9pm Eastern.
Educating the public on aspects of death, dying, grief, loss and healing is vital. Writing with compassion and clarity can overcome the public's fear and negative presumptions about deathwork.
This 7-week writing course will focus on ways students can engage and educate the public through 12 different options: local news articles, feature pieces, opinion pieces, press releases, book reviews, public speaking, blog posts, website updates, interviews, columns, speeches and essays. Taught by journalist, syndicated columnist, and author Suzette Martinez Standring, students will learn from someone who’s done it before. Real-life examples illustrate unique aspects of writing for different outlets and in different forms. Classes will cover how to write compelling content for personal and professional purposes and how to pitch story ideas to editors. Gain insights into voice, viewpoint, and language. Receive feedback and enjoy the space to write. Participants can expect to leave with a confident grasp on how to create fact-based and engaging content. All experience levels welcome, and no writing background is required. Each live lecture includes a presentation, time to write and discussion. Lectures are recorded.
Participants can expect to leave with a confident grasp on how to create fact-based and engaging content. All experience levels welcome, and no writing background is required. Each live lecture includes a presentation, time to write, and discussion. Lectures are recorded so you can watch them later.
Meet Your Professor: Suzette Martinez Standring (she/her)
Welcome! A Note from Cole Imperi
About the School of American Thanatology
Where We're From
Course Syllabus - Writing for Death Educators - 7 Week Series
Discussion: Introduce Yourself
About the Course Project's Final Assignment
Lecture Topic: Websites, Blogs and Best Professional Practices
Assignment: Personal Website Piece Due May 16.
Live Lecture | Tuesday, May 9 from 7–9pm Eastern
Week 1: Presentation Slides
Lecture Topic: Feature Writing
Assignment: Feature Article
Live Lecture | Tuesday, May 16 from 7–9pm Eastern
Week 2: Presentation Slides
Lecture Topic: May 23 Interview Techniques, Q&A Pieces, and Profiles
Assignment: Draft a Profile or Q&A piece
Join Our Community!
Live Lecture | Tuesday, May 23 from 7–9pm Eastern
Week 3: Presentation Slides
Lecture Topic: Queries to Editors and How to Write a Press Release
Assignment: Write a Press Release
Live Lecture | Tuesday, May 30 from 7–9pm Eastern
Week 4: Presentation Slides
Lecture Topic: How to Write a Book Review, and How an Article You Write Can Lead to Book Authorship
Case Study: Cole Imperi
Assignment: Write a Book Review
Live Lecture | Tuesday, June 6 from 7–9pm Eastern
Week 5: Presentation Slides
Lecture Topic: June 13 Public Speaking and Speech Writing
Assignment: Five Key Points of a future speech
Live Lecture | Tuesday, June 13 from 7–9pm Eastern
Week 6: Presentation Slides
Final Lecture Topic: June 20 Personal Essays and Columns for Publication
Live Lecture | Tuesday, June 20 from 7–9pm Eastern
Week 7: Presentation Slides
Final Assignment due Tuesday, June 27, 2023 - No Extensions
Exit Survey
Read: A Final Note from Suzette
Students have the option to pay all at once or over 3 payments. Enrollment is limited. We look forward to having you in class!
$399.00
Regular price
3 x $133.00
Payment Plan
Syndicated Columnist and Published Author
Yes! Live Lectures with Suzette take place each Monday from 7–9pm Eastern via Zoom. If you miss one, that's ok! Lectures are recorded so you can watch them later.
Yes! There will be time during each live lecture for writing, and a one-page writing assignment is due at the end of the course. The writing assignment is optional: if you want Suzette's feedback, or you would like a course certificate of completion, you will want to turn this in! Each Monday, the class will include a presentation, writing time and time for discussion.
This course is appropriate for all levels and backgrounds. People who may be interested and benefit from this course include: • Content creators writing for national, local, specialty, and personal publications about death, dying, grief, loss, and healing. • Aspiring writers looking to expand their writing skills from a journalistic point of view. Healthcare and deathcare professionals looking to educate the public and their clientele on topics, expertise, and services pertinent to their work. • Writers who want to broaden their subject base to expand their business opportunities. The skills acquired in this course can translate to any industry. No prior experience needed.
Yes! Live Lectures take place via Zoom. There may be breakout sessions (small, intimate groups) where you can meet other classmates and talk about what you're working on. There is also a private school-community you will be invited to join.
Yes! Please see the course outline above which will give you insight into all the different tools and techniques Suzette will share with you.