Creative Writing Institute

Grades 9–12

Typical Day | About the Instructors
2010 Lit-Zine | Blogpost About the Instructor

Interested in creative writing? Create original work in various genres: fiction, poetry, playwriting, memoir, journalism, and essay. Guided by accomplished, experienced instructors who foster a supportive atmosphere of productivity and fun, the workshop-style format allows students to share their work and encourages discussions of writing technique and craft, including voice, character, tone, plot, and point of view. Produce polished pieces that can be used for college essays and/or award submissions. The program culminates in a reading to which friends and family are invited and publication in the institute’s online literary journal.

To broaden exposure to the arts, the Creative Writing Institute can be combined with the Songwriting Workshop or Creating Comic Books and Graphic Novels to make for a well-rounded summer experience.

July 9–August 3
Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
$2,165 for the first registration
$1,945 for the second registration in the family, Purchase College employees and alumni, and early registrations (received by May 4, 2012)

Theresa Benaquist (lead instructor) is a Scholastic Award–winning teacher (www.artand
writing.org) who teaches creative writing, fiction, biography, and essays at Purchase College. For the past 11 years, she has worked with teens, some of whom have gone on to Columbia, Harvard, Smith, Vassar, Skidmore, Wesleyan, Sarah Lawrence, Barnard, Bard, The New School, Manhattanville, Purchase College, SUNY Binghamton, Fordham, and New York University. She returns to lead the Creative Writing Institute for the second year. She earned her MFA in creative nonfiction writing at Sarah Lawrence College.

How to Register
Refund Policy and Schedules