
Personal Essay & Opinion Editorial Course
This course will help students practice communicating their unique perspectives. Both the personal essay and the opinion-editorial (op-ed) require writers to articulate their thoughts and feelings about a topic or experience in a way that is engaging to the reader. After this course, students can submit their work to upcoming personal essays and opinion editorial contests.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the structures of, and differences between, the personal essay and the opinion-editorial (op-ed)
- Implement diverse writing techniques to express ideas in engaging ways
- Understand and analyze English-language personal essays and op-eds
- Plan, draft, and revise work in the style of personal essays and an op-eds
- Draft and make significant revisions to their own English writing
- Provide revision feedback to classmates
Learning Outcomes
- One 500-1000 word personal essay
- One 500-1000 word opinion-editorial (op-ed)
- Two 200-word analysis and reflection essays about their personal essay and op-ed
- Two creative nonfiction development plans
- A list of strong topics to use in future creative nonfiction writing endeavors
- Good preparation for standardized tests
- A Certificate of Completion from Knovva Academy and corresponding transcript
Related Skills
About the Instructor

Amanda R.
Amanda has 17+ years of teaching experience in high school, and middle school in the top ranked public and private schools in the US and UK.
With a deep passion for English language art, writing, research, and public speaking, she prioritizes challenging yet fun writing experiences for students. Also helped many students with writing competition and AP level preparation.
Amanda received her BA in Secondary Education with a major in English from Central Michigan University and her MA in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from North Carolina, Charlotte.
Course Highlights
This course includes:
Format: Group class (5-7 students)
Level: Competition Prep
Track: Academic writing
Key Deliverables: 1 personal essay, 1op-ed, 2 self-analyses, 2 creative nonfiction development plans
Standards: IB, PISA, Cambridge, and CCSS-ELA
Certificate: Certificate of Completion and course transcript
Related courses
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