About the Course
This immersive and collaborative course will introduce you to great essayists including Annie Dillard, Charles Simic, and Richard Rodriguez, and help you find your own distinctive narrative voice. You and your classmates will read, analyze, and discuss works of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, and then experiment with tone and mood, imagery, prose, and a variety of structures and narrative devices while learning how to effectively use figurative language to create your own moving and engaging personal stories. Through daily readings, informal writing assignments, editing workshops, and major writing projects, you will gain an understanding of the patterns and techniques of successful authors, and develop your own strengths as a writer. You will leave the course with strong critical reading and writing skills that you will continue to use through high school, college, and beyond.
Typical Class Size: 16-18
Learning Objectives
- Analyze key elements and structure of notable works of nonfiction, fiction, and poetry in classroom discussion as led by the instructor
- Draft, revise, and undertake other important elements of the writing process in order to produce four to six essays of creative work
- Employ literary elements, narrative techniques, and figurative language in both formal and informal writing assignments
- Participate in multiple writing workshops that offer constructive criticism on your work in a safe, growth-oriented space
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
In Person
UC-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Filling up fast! 3 spots left
Time Commitment:
Technical Requirements
Students must bring a tablet with a keyboard, laptop computer, or Chromebook for use during the session. A smartphone will not be sufficient.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Back to the Lake: A Reader for Writers, by Thomas Cooley
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Filling up fast! 3 spots left
Time Commitment:
Technical Requirements
Students must bring a tablet with a keyboard, laptop computer, or Chromebook for use during the session. A smartphone will not be sufficient.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Back to the Lake: A Reader for Writers, by Thomas Cooley
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Residential Site
Register by: June 8, 2026
Filling up fast! 3 spots left
Time Commitment:
Technical Requirements
Students must bring a tablet with a keyboard, laptop computer, or Chromebook for use during the session. A smartphone will not be sufficient.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Back to the Lake: A Reader for Writers, by Thomas Cooley
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid