Stories that Matter: The Craft of Writing Nonfiction
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of nonfiction and narrative storytelling with the Yale Summer Session Program in Journalism! From investigative reporting to multimedia storytelling, you’ll sharpen your writing, critical thinking, and communication skills while gaining the confidence to craft impactful stories that resonate.
This five-week summer program gives students a rare opportunity to live like writers, diving deep into the art of compelling journalism through the two-credit course English S2461, Stories that Matter: The Craft of Writing Nonfiction. You’ll step into the life of a journalist—talking to people, pursuing leads, and exploring a wide variety of topics through the lens of a curious, engaged writer. The program blends classroom learning with experiential exploration, including visits to Yale’s galleries and museums, such as the Center for British Art, the Peabody Museum Living Lab, and Marsh Botanical Garden, along with potential off-campus excursions.
Your experience will also include film screenings, open-mic café events, and podcasts that demonstrate storytelling techniques, suspense, and audience engagement—skills you’ll actively apply in your own projects. By the end of the program, you’ll not only have a portfolio of stories but also the tools, confidence, and perspective to continue telling narratives that matter.
[exclamation] English S2461 is a two-credit course. Visiting students who need to enroll in two credits to qualify as full-time will meet that requirement through this single immersive course.
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Program Costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition for a 2-credit course | $10,705 |
| Program fee | $100 |
For other fees and residential costs, please visit our Tuition and Fees page. All tuition and fees, including room and meal charges, must be paid in full three weeks before the program start date.
For information about summer funding, please visit our Financial Assistance page.
Student Testimonials
The Yale Summer Session Journalism Program may be new for Summer 2026, but it draws on the success of a previous course, ENGL S410: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction, taught by Tara McKelvey.
Students loved the hands-on storytelling, immersive experience, and guidance from faculty. Here’s what they had to say:
- "I definitely became a better writer after taking this course.... for students pursuing higher education and exploring the professional world, this course was helpful.”
- “This class taught me valuable skills in socializing with others and understanding their stories. It taught me what questions to ask, how to interview, and how to research. Most importantly, it helped me become a better writer.”
- “I took this class because Professor McKelvey was a guest speaker in another one of my classes & she blew me away. I definitely made the right decision because I LOVED this class.”
- “Absolutely phenomenal. Professor McKelvey is the best professor. She is knowledgeable, she cares so much about her students, and she always keeps class interesting & fun.”
- “McKelvey has demonstrated, with her tenure and expertise, the way to approach non-fiction writing. I knew I would gain something out of this class that can't be possibly replicated elsewhere: real-life application, and I am glad I took this class over all others. I would absolutely recommend this class to another student. The teacher is great, and you learn how to successfully tell a story. The small class size helps create a safe, comfortable environment for everyone to participate as well.”
- “I appreciated the variety of the assignments, and it was rewarding to come away from the class with a single project that we had worked on from a variety of angles—a pitch memo, feature piece, script, and final podcast. Professor Tara gave the most detailed feedback on my work of any professor I've ever had, and she was willing to meet numerous times as I worked through multiple drafts of a single project.”
Application Information
To apply, review the application requirements and fill out the Yale Summer Session application. The Journalism program is offered under Yale Summer Session B course listings.
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