How to Write "Funny": Humor and Voice in Nonfiction

An engaging voice keeps us reading regardless of subject matter, and is crucial for holding attention through long-form works. In this workshop, we'll examine works by renowned writers known for strong, humorous voices that are unmistakably theirs, including Ziwe, Taffy Brodesser-Akner, Sloane Crosley, David Sedaris, Bill Bryson, and Mindy Kaling. We'll discuss what distinguishes them from one another, and identify patterns in their writing that make their work “sound” like them. Participants will walk away from this workshop with an understanding of the mechanics of writing “funny,” as well as a recognition of the components of their own voice, exercises to practice honing it, and an arsenal of work for further study.

Open to prose writers of all levels and genres. This is a 2-week workshop, with a 2-hour session each week. Please prepare for approximately 3-6 hours of work between sessions, including time for your own writing.

This 2-week workshop meets on Saturdays from 12-2pm at LitArts RI on the following dates:
Sat, May 2
Sat, May 9

About Your Teaching Artist

KASSONDRA CLOOS (she/her) is an award-winning nonfiction writer from Pawtucket. Her work has been published in magazines and newspapers worldwide, including The New York Times, The Guardian, Outside Magazine, Adventure.com, Rhode Island Monthly, and Trails, among many others. Cloos recently moved back to Providence from London, where she was named Travel Writer of the Year in 2024 by the British Guild of Travel Writers. She holds an MFA in creative writing from City, University of London.

Community Access Lottery
LitArts RI offers a lottery for free admission to those who are from a community that has faced institutional barriers in the writing and publishing worlds or who lack access to resources and could not otherwise afford to attend. The lottery closes 2 weeks before each workshop, at which time entrants will be notified if they are a recipient of one of the free seats.
To enter the lottery, press the red "Get tickets" button at the top right of your screen, then scroll down to add a "Community Access Lottery Ticket" to your cart and check out.

Safe and Brave Space Policy

Writing workshops can be vulnerable spaces. As a literary arts organization, LitArts RI is committed to providing a safe, brave, inclusive and accessible space to all participants, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, citizenship status, age, size, abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Be sensitive, be supportive, be respectful and engage with care. Discriminatory, hateful, and threatening content will not be tolerated; we ask that you bring any concerns to our attention immediately.

Accessibility

LitArts RI is wheelchair accessible. The organization is actively committed to cultivating a community that values and reflects diversity, equity and inclusivity and to providing programming that is accessible to all attendees. Please let us know about any accommodations we can make to allow you to participate fully in this event.

Health Safety Guidelines

If you have tested positive for Covid-19 within a few days of attending an event at LitArts RI, please contact Staff so we can let others know of possible exposure. We ask that you wait 14 days or until testing negative to return to the Center.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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