Zoom Meetings Sunday 2-4 PM Eastern Time (11 AM - 1 PM Pacific)
Are you at a loss for how to begin writing? Do you have difficulty transforming data into text? Do you know how to organize your findings and turn information into a narrative? In this class, we will practice pre-writing skills so that when you sit down to write the whole story, all the parts will fall into place.
Genealogy is more than research—it involves writing at every stage, from abstracting records to crafting narratives. Before producing a final research report, case study, or family history, genealogists engage in numerous forms of pre-writing. This course explores those essential yet often overlooked writing skills: describing documents and photos, creating captions, summarizing tables, transforming research logs into action plans, and developing concise narratives.
Participants will develop confidence in writing, transforming research into clear, engaging narratives, and practicing essential pre-writing techniques. The course emphasizes fluency in drafting descriptions, summaries, and structured genealogical storytelling while strengthening analytical skills and constructive peer feedback.
Interactive lecture and free-writing sessions where participants write in response to instructions and a provided prompt or artifact.
JewishGen provides a private Canvas online forum where you will find assignments, materials, and directions and have the opportunity to communicate one-on-one with the instructor. Our classes offer flexible hours, allowing you to participate 24/7, regardless of your location or time zone. While the Canvas platform provides continuous access to course content, the main emphasis is on interactive Zoom meetings, where live discussion, guided exercises, and peer feedback enhance the learning experience.
$200 for 4 weeks.
For questions, email: education@jewishgen.org
Find the class on the Calendar page to ENROLL NOW.