Community & Government

Writing

Craft Compelling Stories

Edit Your Work & Get It Published

Hone Your Writing Process & Voice

Study Domestic & International Affairs

Study Journalism & Reporting

Unlock Empathy & Philosophical Wisdom

Write Vivid Characters

Teaches Writing

Malcolm Gladwell

Meet your instructor—best-selling author and longtime New Yorker staff writer, Malcolm Gladwell. Malcolm outlines what he has planned for your class and reflects on the idea of writing as a calling.

1. Introduction

Introduction

Malcolm likes an imperfect argument—the perfect argument is too obvious. Learn how Malcolm builds an open-ended puzzle into his story, “The Ketchup Conundrum.”

2. Structuring Narrative: The Imperfect Puzzle

Structuring Narrative: The Imperfect Puzzle

Data is a big part of Malcolm’s stories. Learn three ways Malcolm helps readers digest data and engage with complex ideas in his writing.

3. Holding Readers: Tools for Engagement

Holding Readers: Tools for Engagement

Learn how to use surprises, guessing games, and suspense to invite readers into your story.

4. Holding Readers: Controlling Information

Holding Readers: Controlling Information

Malcolm shares his guiding principles to uncovering a good idea for a story through research.

5. Research

Research

What makes a story worth pursuing? Malcolm talks through his criteria for spotting a unique story and the first steps of story development.

6. Selecting the Story

Selecting the Story

Learn how Malcolm grows the idea of a story, and how he tests new ideas with family and friends.

7. Developing the Story

Developing the Story

Using David and Goliath and “What the Dog Saw,” Malcolm teaches you how to look for patterns and draw connections between seemingly disparate ideas.

8. Developing the Story: Analogous Worlds

Developing the Story: Analogous Worlds

The interview is the critical foundation for developing character in nonfiction. Malcolm teaches you how to conduct an interview to uncover what is uniquely interesting about your subject.

9. Interviewing

Interviewing

Malcolm breaks down two pieces of his own writing—one written for The New Yorker and one for a medical journal—to illustrate how he brings a new character to life.

10. Characters: Descriptions

Characters: Descriptions

If you could choose to describe a character by the way they look, or by what they keep in their bedroom, Malcolm says to choose the bedroom. Learn how to use the setting and action around a character to build their personality.

11. Characters: World Building

Characters: World Building

Malcolm believes that when you reveal story is just as important as what that story is. He explains this idea with an in-depth look at one of his favorite characters, late-night television pitchman Ron Popeil.

12. Character Case Study: "The Pitchman"

Character Case Study: "The Pitchman"

Learn how Malcolm uses sentence length and punctuation to guide readers through a sophisticated idea.

13. Structuring Language

Structuring Language

Using a New Yorker article he wrote about a company testing out a new drug, Malcolm demonstrates how to employ jargon to hook your readers.

14. Jargon

Jargon

Malcolm explains how to calibrate your tone for your readership using examples from his book David and Goliath and his own public speaking Q&As.

15. Tone and Voice

Tone and Voice

Malcolm feels that restraint is essential in the production of real emotion. Learn how to introduce humor and melancholy to form deep connections with your readers.

16. Humor and Melancholy

Humor and Melancholy

Using his essay “Something Borrowed” as an example, Malcolm demonstrates how to use language and emotion to build a powerful narrative.

17. Case Study: Language and Emotion in "Something Borrowed"

Case Study: Language and Emotion in "Something Borrowed"

For Malcolm, a title is the ultimate attention-grabber. Learn how to write powerful titles that will speak to your reader's emotions.

18. Titles

Titles

Getting a piece of writing to a finished state is a process. Malcolm walks you through his approach, from first draft to final polishing.

19. Drafts and Revisions

Drafts and Revisions

Once your story is published, the world will respond. Learn Malcolm’s tips for promoting your work, dealing with critics, and what to do when readers misinterpret your intent.

20. When Your Story Enters the World

When Your Story Enters the World

Learn Malcolm’s advice for aspiring writers, including how to launch and maintain your career as a professional writer.

21. Working as a Writer

Working as a Writer

Malcolm believes that you can’t become a great writer without being a great reader. Learn Malcolm’s strategies for critical reading.

22. How to Read

How to Read

Malcolm breaks down the strengths of some of his favorite writers: Lee Child, David Epstein, Michael Lewis, and Janet Malcolm.

23. Who to Read

Who to Read

Malcolm delivers his parting words about the true intent of nonfiction writing.

24. Conclusion: A Theory of Other Minds

Conclusion: A Theory of Other Minds

Malcolm Gladwell Teaches Writing

This Memorial Day, enhance your hobbies (and save big) with access to 200+ classes.

You're on your way to receive up to 40% off!

Teaches Mindfulness and Meditation

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Jon Kabat-Zinn Teaches Mindfulness and Meditation

Chris Voss and Noted Co-Experts

Chris Voss

Chris Hadfield

Condoleezza Rice

Stephen Hadley

Crisis Day

Scripting Your Own Success

Mindy Kaling

Teaches Authentic Leadership

George W. Bush

President George W. Bush Teaches Authentic Leadership

Achieve More With GenAI

Ethan Mollick

Allie K. Miller

Don Allen III

Manuel Sainsily

Teaches Creative Writing

Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing

Teaches Self-Expression and Authenticity

RuPaul

RuPaul Teaches Self-Expression and Authenticity

Teaches Purposeful Communication

George Stephanopoulos

George Stephanopoulos Teaches Purposeful Communication

Teach Campaign Strategy and Messaging

David Axelrod

Karl Rove

David Axelrod and Karl Rove Teach Campaign Strategy and Messaging

With Former CIA Officers

Michael Morell

Dawn Meyerriecks

Brian Carbaugh

The Art of Intelligence

Teaches Writing Thrillers

Dan Brown

Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers

Teaches Economics and Society

Paul Krugman

Paul Krugman Teaches Economics and Society

Pharrell Williams and Noted Co-Instructors

Pharrell Williams

Robin Arzón

Roxane Gay

Walter Mosley

Robert Reffkin

Gloria Steinem

Cornel West

The Power of Empathy With Pharrell Williams and Noted Co-Instructors

Mastering the Markets

Ray Dalio

Meredith Whitney

Joel Greenblatt

Seth Klarman

A Documentary by Artist JR

Tehachapi

A Documentary Film From Artist JR

Teaches Fiction, Memory, and Imagination

Amy Tan

Amy Tan Teaches Fiction, Memory, and Imagination

Teaches the Art of the Short Story

Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates Teaches the Art of the Short Story

Teaches Philosophy

Cornel West Teaches Philosophy

Tell a Great Story

Michael Lewis

Teaches Art and Creativity

Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons Teaches Art and Creativity

A Documentary by Andrea Nevins

The Cowboy and the Queen

A Documentary by Academy Award Nominee Andrea Nevins

José Andrés with Special Guest Chefs

José Andrés

Food, Stories, and Connections

Teaches the Power of Storytelling 

LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton Teaches the Power of Storytelling

Ryan Holiday with Noted Experts

Ryan Holiday

Using Ancient Wisdom to Solve Modern Problems

Teaches Storytelling and Humor

David Sedaris

David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor

Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Issa Rae

Issa Rae Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Independent Thinking and Media’s Invisible Powers

Noam Chomsky

Noam Chomsky Teaches Independent Thinking and Media’s Invisible Powers

Teach Diplomacy

Madeleine Albright & Condoleezza Rice

Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice Teach Diplomacy

Teaches Fantasy and Science Fiction Writing

N. K. Jemisin

N. K. Jemisin Teaches Fantasy and Science Fiction Writing

Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry

Billy Collins

Billy Collins Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry

Teaches Screenwriting

Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

Teaches Effective and Authentic Communication

Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts Teaches Effective and Authentic Communication

Teaches Inclusive Leadership

Bill Clinton

President Bill Clinton Teaches Inclusive Leadership

Teaches Writing for Social Change

Roxane Gay Teaches Writing for Social Change

James Patterson

James Patterson Teaches Writing

Get up to 40% off this Memorial day

Get up to 40% off this Memorial day

Get up to 40% off this Memorial day

Menu

Teaches Writing

Get up to 40% off this Memorial day

Get up to 40% off this Memorial day