Austin Bunn is an award-winning screenwriter, playwright, and fiction-writer. His work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, The Pushcart Prize, Best American Science and Nature Writing, Best American Fantasy, among many others. His short film, “Campfire,” won the 2023 Provincetown International Film Festival’s award for Best Queer Short Film. Bunn is an Associate Professor at Cornell University.
You will learn how to use sensory details to convey different points of view.
STEP 1 Watch the video and then answer these questions, in your writing journal: “Imagine you are walking into a new place for the first time. What kinds of details do you notice: the way the room smells, the brightness of the lights, etc.?” STEP 2 Next, write a paragraph that uses sensory language to describe a room that is significant to you, on page 1 of the Notice What You Notice – Handout. If you can, stand in the middle of the room and look around: What do you see, and do any of those sights bring up memories...
by 826 National, featuring Alistar Bedell, Grade 11, CA
In this lesson, you will practice analyzing different types of a narrative technique called irony. Then, you will write your own scene that uses irony to develop an imaginary experience or character.
by Mychal Threets, librarian and literacy ambassador
Librarian and literacy ambassador Mychal Threets invites you to write about your feelings, your way with four writing prompts to explore your emotions on the page.
by 826 National, featuring Priyanna Kumar Singhania, Grade 8
In this lesson, you will write down a story that’s been passed down to you, using precise words and phrases and sensory language, to convey a vivid picture of the event.
by Amy Dupcak, 826NYC
Writer and teaching artist with 826NYC, Amy Dupcak, shares a memoir writing prompts that helps students use specific sensory language to describe a place they love.
by 826 National
Television writer and showrunner Tim McKeon shares how you can study your favorite TV show to learn about screenwriting.
by 826 National and Life Stories
In this lesson, you will learn about Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis’s life, an idea she calls “fierce-love,” and the importance of learning to love yourself.
by Natalie Moore
In this lesson, you will use journal entries as inspiration for a dynamic narrative poem.
by Jason Reynolds
Part letter, part long-form poem, "For Every One" offers reflections and courageous words about unraveling and rebuilding one's dreams.
by 826 National and Life Stories
Stories can bridge our past to our future—but only if we build them. In this lesson, you will reflect on a story from your personal history that you think others could learn from.
by 826 National and Life Stories
In this lesson, you will hear about the life and art of Reginald Dwayne Betts and write a poem that captures a meaningful moment from your everyday life.
by Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP
Journalist and 826 MSP staffer, Cristeta Boarini, shares a poetry prompt that walks students through using shapes to convey meaning.
by 826 National
Revision is the process of making substantial changes in your writing. In this lesson, you will use revision strategies to strengthen a current piece of writing you’re working on.
by 826 National
Law student Brenda Quintanilla shares how writing is a vital tool to use when advocating for your community.
by 826 National
Writers are guided by their personal and artistic values as they work to achieve their goals. But what are those values built on? In this lesson, you will discover that for yourself.
by Sean Prentiss
Essayist, poet, and National Outdoor Book Award winner Sean Prentiss shares his favorite way to develop the setting of a story or essay as a fully formed character.
by Lila Coffey, Grade 10, MA
Lila Coffey addresses her fears for women and children, in her poem addressed to the next President of the United States. Viewer disecretion is advised.
by 826 National and Life Stories
You will write a “soundscape” poem filled with familiar sounds of your neighborhood or home.
by 826 National and Life Stories
Songwriters are powerful storytellers. Their lyrics can connect us, uplift us, and even heal us. In this lesson, you’ll identify a story of your own and turn it into original song lyrics.
by 826 National
Television writer and showrunner Tim McKeon shares how he became a scriptwriter and the valuable skills you'll need if you'd like to become one too.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will learn a strategy for writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.
by 826 National
Nicole Dungca, Investigative Reporter at The Washington Post and President of the Asian American Journalists Association, shares strategies for asking key questions.
by Isabella Baldisseri, Grade 10, OR
Isabella Baldisseri reads her original piece of writing—a letter to the next President of the United States—addresssing her concerns about Palestine. Viewer discretion is advised.
by Javier Zamora, 826 Valenica alumni and New York Times bestselling author
Author Javier Zamora invites you to raise your voice and write to the next President of the United States.
by 826 National
In this lesson, you will build your confidence as a writer by battling the page on a consistent basis.
by 826 National
Radiologist Matthew Bucknor shares while it's important for students studying STEM fields "not to sleep on the Humanities."
by Sean Prentiss
Essayist, poet, and National Outdoor Book Award winner Sean Prentiss shares 5 techniques to use when writing scenes.
by 826 National
Senior Business Development Manager Erin Polgreen shares more about the ways she sees LinkedIn users engaging with writing on the platform.
by Jason Reynolds
National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and NYT Bestselling Author, Jason Reynolds, joined 826 students for a conversation on his video project, "For Every One."
by Robin Reid Drake, 826CHI
826CHI Teaching Artist, Robin Reid Drake, shares an original writing prompt that encourages students to borrow lines from their favorite pieces of writing and then remix them into something new.
by Amanda Gorman
Presidential Inaugural Poet, activist, and bestselling author Amanda Gorman shares one of her favorite techniques for starting a poem or getting over writers' block.