braided essay topic ideas

Braided Essay: Student Guidelines & Examples

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As a literary form, a braided essay is unique for its distinctive ability to weave together multiple narrative strands or threads (from 2 to 4 on average), creating a new and complex piece of ideas and themes. Basically, this structure is crucial in academic writing for its ability to explore topics from various angles. In a braided essay, each strand or thread, such as a personal anecdote, historical analysis, or theoretical exploration, maintains its distinctive role and perspective, and it is connected to other elements, creating a harmonious and coherent whole work. Further on, such a writing method is effective in illustrating how different elements can be connected to each other, indicating new layers of meaning and understanding. By following a linear narrative style dominant in traditional academic essays, a braided writing structure enables a more holistic and reflective exploration of subjects. As a result, this form of writing also engages readers actively, compels them to draw connections between various strands or threads, and promotes a more engaged and critical approach to reading and interpretation.

What Is a Braided Essay and Its Purpose

According to its definition, a braided essay is a distinctive literary form of writing characterized by an interweaving of several narratives or threads of thought (from 2 to 4 on average), much like strands in a braid. For example, the main purpose of writing a braided essay is to allow an author to explore complex ideas and emotions in a non-linear fashion, offering different perspectives that converge to create a cohesive whole (Miller & Wade, 2021). Basically, each strand or thread in a braided essay stands as a self-contained narrative, claim, or argument. Further on, for authors, the purpose of using a braided narrative structure is to connect different themes from multiple perspectives, leading to a new understanding of topics under analysis (Girgensohn, 2023). In principle, a braided essay structure can follow not only a linear narrative writing format but also a more complex arrangement that reflects various connections to life experiences and ideas. Moreover, a braiding technique enables people to use personal anecdotes with scholarly research or historical events (Warburton, 2020). Essentially, this form of an entire synthesis of personal and external elements results in writing new insights and perspectives about storytelling and creative nonfiction. Finally, some examples of threads can be personal stories, research, historical events, or other types of content that might seem unrelated at first glance (Nisbet, 2024). In terms of pages and words, the length of a braided essay depends on academic levels, institutional expectations, and topic complexities, while general writing guidelines are:

High School

• Length: 1–2 pages
• Word Count: 250–500 words

College (Undergraduate)

• Length: 2–4 pages
• Word Count: 500–1,000 words

University (Advanced Undergraduate)

• Length: 3–6 pages
• Word Count: 750–1,500 words

Master’s

• Length: 4–8 pages
• Word Count: 1,000–2,000 words
• Length: 5–12+ pages
• Word Count: 1,250–3,000+ words

Note: Some writing sections of a braided essay can be added, deleted, or combined with each other, depending on specific course requirements and topics authors want to share. For example, a standard braided essay format interweaves multiple narrative strands or perspectives, alternating between them to explore a central theme in a more complex and layered way (Miller & Wade, 2021). Basically, a braided style of writing intertwines multiple narrative threads or perspectives, alternating between them to explore different facets of a central theme, creating a more layered and dynamic narrative. Further on, a braided memoir is a type of autobiographical writing that interweaves multiple personal stories or themes, alternating between them to create a deeper, more layered narrative about an author’s life (Humble, 2023). In writing, an example of a braided narrative might be a story that alternates between some experiences of three characters from different time periods, each facing a similar struggle, with key threads eventually converging to reveal a shared theme or resolution. Finally, to start a braided essay, people introduce a central theme and briefly hint at different narrative threads they will explore, setting a stage for how these strands will connect throughout an entire paper.

How to Start in 5 Steps

Like any other type of paper, starting a braided essay requires a thoughtful approach to set a stage for a correct weaving of narratives. For example, people begin by introducing their central theme or question, which is an anchor that ties their strands together (Miller & Wade, 2021). Then, they focus on each narrative thread, writing about stories or ideas they plan to connect. Moreover, a strong start in a braided essay is like separating key strands before weaving them into a cohesive and beautiful whole (Warburton, 2020). In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning a braided essay are:

• It began with a memory I cannot shake, one that ties together everything that came after … .
• In a stillness of a morning, I often find myself thinking about … .
• There is a story I have been meaning to tell, but it is more than just one story … .
• When I first heard the news, I did not realize how it would connect to … .
• The world around me shifted in ways I did not expect, leading me to … .
• On that day, I did not understand how this moment fit into a larger pattern … .
• An entire scent of rain on pavement always brings me back to … .
• Sometimes, events that seem unrelated at first slowly begin to intertwine, like … .
• It was not until years later that I noticed a thread linking these moments together … .
• Important echoes of that moment still linger, resonating with everything that has followed … .

Step 1: Identify Distinctive Strands (2-4 Threads)

Students begin by identifying different strands or narratives they will intertwine in their braided essays. For example, these elements may include personal anecdotes, stories, historical events, research findings, or theoretical discussions (Humble, 2023). In writing, each thread should be distinctive and relevant to a central theme of a braided essay.

Step 2: Develop Each Strand Individually

Before intertwining strands, people need to develop each thread separately. For example, authors must ensure different body elements are coherent and complete in themselves (Fleckenstein et al., 2020). Moreover, this writing aspect involves fleshing out key details, arguments, or stories within each thread, ensuring they are engaging and well-articulated in a braided essay.

Step 3: Interweave Strands

Authors start braiding all chosen strands together. For example, such a process involves making connections between different narratives at critical points (Humble, 2023). In writing, an entire transition between threads should be smooth and logical, allowing readers to follow a logical flow of a braided essay without confusion.

Step 4: Highlight Connections and Contrasts

As people weave all chosen strands, they need to highlight their connections and contrasts. For example, this stage is crucial in writing a braided essay, as it improves an author’s understanding of a topic (Miller & Wade, 2021). Moreover, they should provide multiple perspectives and layers of meaning.

Step 5: Conclude With Synthesis

In the end of writing, students synthesize all the insights gained from interwoven narratives. For example, it does not necessarily mean providing a resolution but offering a reflective overview of how intertwined threads contribute to a deeper understanding of a braided essay’s central theme (Warburton, 2020). However, writing an entire composition must include a clear synthesis of ideas presented.

Steps on How to Write a Braided Essay

To write a braided essay, people alternate between multiple narrative threads, develop each one with depth, and gradually weave them together to explore and reflect on a central theme. For example, a braided narrative structure intertwines multiple storylines or perspectives, alternating between them to create a unified exploration of a central theme or concept (Miller & Wade, 2021). In writing, an example of a braided essay might be a piece that weaves together personal anecdotes about childhood, scientific research on memory, and historical events, alternating between these threads to explore a theme of how past experiences shape identity. As such, some basic writing steps include:

• Choose a Central Theme: Identify a main topic or idea that will connect various narrative threads.
• Select Multiple Narrative Strands: Choose at least two or three different perspectives, stories, or ideas to explore a central theme in writing.
• Outline Each Thread Separately: Plan each narrative strand with its own introduction, key points, and conclusion.
• Develop Each Element Individually: Write each narrative separately, ensuring each strand has depth and contributes to a central theme.
• Alternate Between Threads: Begin braiding defined strands by alternating between them throughout an entire essay.
• Use Transitions to Connect Strands: Ensure smooth transitions between each narrative to build connections between them.
• Create Emotional and Thematic Tension: Contrast or complement different strands to add complexity and depth to a given theme.
• Deepen Interconnections: As an essay progresses, emphasize how presented strands relate to each other and an overarching theme.
• Conclude by Weaving Strands Together: End writing a braided essay by tying various threads into a cohesive and reflective conclusion.
• Edit and Refine: Revise a braided essay and its writing for clarity, ensuring key connections between discussed strands are clear, while an entire narrative flows smoothly.

Braided Essay Topics

• Climate Change: Personal Impact and Global Policies
• Cultural Identity: Exploring Heritage and Modern Influences
• The Intersection of Art and Science in Historical Contexts
• Mental Health: Personal Experiences vs. Societal Perceptions
• The Influence of Technology on Human Relationships
• Journeys in Nature: Personal Adventures and Environmental Conservation
• Food Culture: Family Traditions and Global Cuisines
• The Role of Music in Personal Development and Cultural Expression
• Education Systems: Personal Learning Experiences and Theoretical Frameworks
• Migration Stories: Personal Narratives and Political Contexts
• Urban vs. Rural Living: A Personal and Sociological Perspective
• Fitness and Wellness: Personal Goals and Healthcare Systems
• The Evolution of Communication: From Letters to Digital Media
• Fashion Trends: Personal Style and Historical Influences
• Language and Identity: Personal Linguistic Journey and Sociolinguistics
• Travel and Discovery: Personal Expeditions and Historical Explorers
• Parenting Styles: Personal Experiences and Psychological Theories
• Social Media: Personal Use and Its Impact on Society
• Work-Life Balance: Personal Strategies and Corporate Policies
• Volunteering: Personal Motivations and Community Benefits
• The Changing Landscape of News Consumption: From Print to Digital
• Gender Roles: Personal Experiences and Societal Expectations
• Space Exploration: Personal Fascination and Scientific Endeavors
• Reading Habits: Personal Literary Journeys and Evolving Publishing Trends
• Sustainable Living: Personal Practices and Global Environmental Policies
• The Evolution of Gaming: Personal Experiences and Technological Advances
• Historical Events: Personal Family Stories and Their Place in World History
• The Influence of Cinema: Personal Impressions and Film Industry Changes
• Entrepreneurship: Personal Business Ventures and Economic Theories
• Spirituality and Religion: Personal Beliefs and Cultural Practices

Outline and Template

Organizing a 5-Paragraph Structure of 3 Threads

Title: Unique Topic

I. Introduction

• Introduce a central theme or question of a braided essay.
• Briefly present 3 threads (narratives or ideas) that will be braided for writing your essay.
• Thesis statement: Summarize the main point or insight that emerges from intertwining these elements.

II. Body Paragraph 1: Introduction of Thread A

• Introduce a first narrative or idea (Thread A).
• Provide background information or context.
• Explain how Thread A relates to a central theme.

III. Body Paragraph 2: Introduction and Weaving of Thread B

• Introduce a second narrative or idea (Thread B).
• Weave Thread B with aspects of Thread A introduced previously.
• Highlight connections or contrasts between Threads A and B.

IV. Body Paragraph 3: Introduction and Weaving of Thread C

• Introduce a third narrative or idea (Thread C).
• Weave Thread C with aspects of Threads A and B.
• Emphasize how Thread C adds meaning and depth or a new perspective to a braided narrative.

V. Conclusion

• Provide a summary of how 3 strands are interwoven and what this new perspective reveals about a central theme.
• Reiterate a central thesis in a light of 3 braided narratives.
• Offer final reflections or implications of some insights gained from writing a braided essay.

List of References (Optional)

• Mention all academic sources used for writing a braided essay and follow a required citation style, such as APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, or any other format.

Note: People can add or remove body paragraphs depending on a specific number of strands to write about. However, a central logic of a braided essay must be followed for 2 or more threads. For example, a standard structure will depend on a number of critical points between 2 or more threads (Miller & Wade, 2021). Hence, there can be more than 2 paragraphs in each body section of a braided essay.

Braided Essay Example

Topic: The Evolution of Communication (Critical Point): Traditional Letters, Telephony, and Digital Media (3 Threads)

Introduction

The evolution and development of communication is a historical reflection of human intelligence and societal progress. In this case, it is fantastic to see how far people have come from the simple act of writing handwritten letters to the introduction of the Internet. With each mode of communication, they see how different changes happen in all aspects of their lives. In particular, traditional letters, telephony, and digital media reflect speed, style, and societal changes, which is evidence of human progress.

Body Paragraphs

The Era of Letters

In the era of letters, communication was a deliberate, reflective process. For example, handwritten letters, crafted with care, were imbued with personal touch and emotional depth (Hinks, 2020). This mode of communication shaped a sense of intimacy and patience between a sender and a recipient, as people wrote their thoughts and feelings in physical papers, often waiting days or weeks for a response. As a result, the physical features of letters, with individualized handwriting and paper, created a personal connection between many people who could not meet together due to long distances but wanted to share their feelings and thoughts.

Emergence and Impact of Telephony

The invention and mass introduction of telephony as a communicational technology marked a significant shift in the human world. For example, with the telephone, conversations that once took weeks for letters could occur in real-time, bridging distances with the sound of a human voice (Behrendt, 2021). Basically, this revolution in communication changed not just how people communicated but also social dynamics. Telephone conversations offered a new form of connection, one that was more direct and personal than letters, but it lacked their intimacy and patience nature. In turn, this era of telephones saw the beginning of the transformation of communication from writing letters to private conversations.

The Digital Media Age

Nowadays, with the help of the Internet, digital media has taken a dominant position in all human societies, and it is characterized by its speed, diversity, and popularity. For example, emails, social media, and instant messaging via smartphones have changed people’s interactions, allowing global connectivity in one second (Balbi et al., 2021). Moreover, digital communication has a universal format because it supports text, audio, and video channels, improving the ways in which people connect. In this case, digital media has become a modern form of communication among its users, and it has replaced traditional letters and telephones in full. Hence, even if people are far away from each other, they can write letters or call their family members, friends, colleagues, or anyone they want.

The historical evolution from letters to digital media is real evidence of a dramatic shift in communication styles and human interactions that people have today. While letters suggested depth and emotional connection between senders and recipients, telephony allowed them to hear each other irrespective of distance. Furthermore, digital media helps people connect with each other anywhere in the world. In turn, each stage in the evolution of communication reflects changes in trends, values, and technologies. As a result, a better understanding of this evolution can provide new ideas into not just how people communicate but also the changing nature of social interactions and human relationships.

List of References

Balbi, G., Ribeiro, N., Schafer, V., & Schwarzenegger, C. (2021). Digital roots: Historicizing media and communication concepts of the digital age . De Gruyter Oldenbourg.

Behrendt, F. (2021). Telephones, music and history: From the invention era to the early smartphone days. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies , 27 (6), 1678–1695. https://doi.org/10.1177/13548565211028810

Hinks, J. (2020). The history of printing and print culture: Contexts and controversies. Midland History , 45 (2), 134–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/0047729x.2020.1767970

When writing a braided essay, it is essential to intertwine different narratives harmoniously. For example, to write a braided story, people alternate between multiple interconnected storylines or perspectives, allowing each one to develop while gradually weaving them together to reveal a unified theme or message (Miller & Wade, 2021). In this case, selecting correct strands that are distinctive and share a thematic connection at the same time allows authors to connect and contrast each other meaningfully. Hence, people should think about these 10 dos and 10 don’ts when writing their braided essays.

10 Dos Include:

• Choose complementary strands.
• Maintain clarity in each strand.
• Use smooth transitions between threads.
• Balance strands in a braided essay.
• Highlight connections and contrasts.
• Write about varied critical points.
• Keep your audience in mind.
• Reflect on a bigger picture.
• Revise for cohesion.
• Experiment with structure.

10 Don’ts Include:

• Overcomplicating strands.
• Neglecting transitions.
• Losing a focus on a central theme in writing.
• Using unrelated strands.
• Disregarding a specific purpose of each strand.
• Missing a balance between strands.
• Providing non-connected critical points.
• Repeating the information in a braided essay.
• Forgetting to proofread.
• Ignoring a braided narrative structure.

What to Include

Common Mistakes

• Lack of a Clear Theme: Failing to establish a central theme can make a braided essay feel disjointed and confusing.
• Weak Transitions Between Threads: Without smooth transitions, writing an entire paper can become fragmented and make connections between strands unclear.
• Overloading Too Many Strands: Using too many narrative threads can overwhelm readers and dilute a paper’s focus.
• Underdeveloped Strands: Not giving enough depth to each narrative can make individual elements feel shallow or incomplete.
• Inconsistent Tone: Shifting between tones in different strands without purpose can disrupt an overall flow and coherence of a composition.
• Forcing Connections: Trying too hard to link unrelated threads can feel contrived and weaken an impact of an entire writing.
• Neglecting a Strong Conclusion: Not tying key points together at the end can leave a whole paper feeling unfinished or unresolved.
• Ignoring Reader Engagement: Failing to create intrigue or curiosity can make an entire writing lack emotional or intellectual appeal.
• Disregarding a Balance of Threads: Giving too much focus to one element over others can cause imbalance and make a paper feel uneven.
• Poor Editing and Revision: Skipping thorough editing can lead to unclear ideas, grammatical errors, and disjointed flow between discussed strands.

A braided essay weaves together multiple narrative threads, each offering a unique perspective on a central theme. Basically, people use this structure in writing to explore complex ideas, blending personal stories with research, historical events, or philosophical insights. In principle, each strand is developed individually and alternated throughout an entire paper, with smooth transitions highlighting connections or contrasts. Further on, a braided structure deepens a reader’s understanding by covering different angles, ultimately creating a cohesive reflection. Moreover, concluding with a correct synthesis, an entire composition reveals how these intertwined narratives contribute to a deeper exploration of a given topic. In turn, some writing takeaways to remember include:

• Select Interconnected Strands: Choose narrative threads that are distinct yet thematically linked, allowing for writing a rich and meaningful braided essay.
• Develop Each Strand Fully: Focus on each narrative with enough detail and depth, ensuring each thread stands strong on its own while contributing to an overall theme of a paper.
• Provide Smooth Transitions: Seamlessly intertwine your narratives, using thoughtful transitions to maintain a logical order of ideas and coherence of an overall essay.
• Maintain a Balanced Approach: Give equal weight to each narrative strand, avoiding a dominance of one strand over others.
• Highlight Connections and Contrasts: Use connections of different narratives to draw out and emphasize both similarities and differences, enriching a reader’s understanding.
• Engage Readers Emotionally and Intellectually: Strive to connect with your readers on both an emotional and intellectual level, making your braided essay writing both thought-provoking and relatable.
• Keep a Central Theme in Your Focus: Ensure that all narrative strands correspond to each other and explore a central theme of your paper.
• Revise for Cohesion and Clarity: Use your time to revise your braided essay, focusing on improving its coherence, unity, and clarity.
• Incorporate Personal and Analytical Elements: Blend personal narratives with analytical insights or research, suggesting a well-detailed argument or story.
• End With a Reflective Conclusion: Conclude by connecting together various strands, offering a final synthesis that covers a central theme and leaves a lasting impact on readers.

Fleckenstein, J., Meyer, J., Jansen, T., Keller, S., & Köller, O. (2020). Is a long essay always a good essay? The effect of text length on writing assessment. Frontiers in Psychology , 11 , 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.562462

Girgensohn, K. (2023). Flickers of hidden meaning – Braiding essays as creative experience for academic writers. Journal of Academic Writing , 13 (2), 66–72. https://doi.org/10.18552/joaw.v13i2.802

Humble, R. K. (2023). The humble essay: A readable introduction to college writing . Chemeketa Press.

Miller, B., & Wade, J. M. (2021). A braided heart: Essays on writing and form . University Of Michigan Press.

Nisbet, G. (2024). Objects as armour; objects as container: Form and thing-writing as means of balancing disclosure in life writing. Life Writing , 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/14484528.2024.2375648

Warburton, N. (2020). The basics of essay writing . Routledge.

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Nicole Walker

Braided Essays

I turned the talk I gave last year in Melbourne into an essay for Creative Nonfiction magazine . Now, I’m kind of obsessed with braided essays and am looking forward to working with my colleague, Gretchen Younghans, who teaches at Flag High. As part of the Alpine program, she and I and a few grad students are taking her Alpine students out to Clear Creek Reservoir to kayak and write.

I suggested we do a braided essay exercise where the students make observations about the tiny things, the mosquito hawks on the surface of the water, the kinds of graffiti on the rocks, the spinning leaves, the wind broken trees. Then, when we take a break for lunch, the students will use their observations as one thread of their essay. Then, they’ll switch to writing a personal narrative that uses scene and dialogue to really root us in their experience–they could write about their emotional experience being on the lake, they could write about a past memory of another lake, they could write about their childhood kitchen or the time they dropped their school lunch on the lunchroom floor and everyone laughed. After five minutes of personal narrative, we’ll ask them to return to their “research,” again dispassionately describing what they saw. Then, after five minutes, we’ll ask them to return to their personal story finishing, for now, this process.

In revision, what the students might discover is how certain word choices, images, or motifs appear in all four sections. To make those synchronicities stronger, the students can emphasize them by writing a little more, and a little more slowly, around those repeated moments. They can change some words so more words do repeat. And, they can see how, by putting these two seemingly random stories together, they learned more about themselves and the place they visited by pressing the two so closely together.

In order to give the students a sense of what these essays might finally look like, here are some examples.

Brenda Miller’s Swerve

Lee Ann Roripaugh’s The Wardrobe’s Best Dressed

Nicole Walker’s Superfluidity

Matthew Komatsu’s When We Played

The above essays show how moving from topic to topic between paragraphs can provide multiple perspectives on the same topic like a prism. The following essays, though longer, provide that true braid where the back and forth phenomenon leads to a new and integrated understanding of the subject.

Chelsea Biondolillo’s   How to Skin a Bird

Nicole Walker’s Abundance and Scarcity

Joann Beard’s The Fourth State of Matter

Eula Biss’s  Time and Distance Overcome

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How to Write a Braided Essay

Saturday, january 13, 2018 • writing tips.

What is a Braided Essay?

A braided essay is an essay that uses 2-3 events or topics to create an essay surrounding an event or question. Writers “weave” the “strands” (events or topics) together to form a “braid.” Sometimes when you say that out loud to yourself, it makes no sense. Therefore, let’s look at Joann Beard’s “ The Fourth State of Matter. ” Beard’s main strand is her narrative about taking care of her sick collie that is dying. Her first strand is dealing with the squirrels in her spare bedroom and the breakdown of her marriage. The last strand is the Iowa University Physics department shooting. These events are woven together to create one essay about an author’s inability to control the events happening in her life. Braided essays can have more or less than three “strands.” Essays have been known to have just two strands or four to five. The most important thing to note about braided essays is repetition of the braid “strands.” The repetition of these elements are what makes an essay braided rather than just a collage. If you place multiple fragmented events and don’t repeat them, you are making a collage, not a braided essay. 

How to Construct a Braided Essay

The worksheet is pretty straightforward and basic. It by no means encompasses what your braided essay can be, but I thought it would be easier to go over a simple braid.

First you will chose the anchor of your essay, otherwise known as the main strand or core event. This can also be a theme if you’re exploring different facets of something. In Beard, her main core event is taking care of her collie. (You can also say it’s the shooting, I believe it’s open to interpretation, but either way this method works no matter what you choose as the core). With this core event, Beard weaves two other strands. The first other strand is the Beard’s failing marriage and the squirrels infesting her guest bedroom. This event ties in the collie because it is another thing Beard doesn’t have control over and can’t deal with on her own. You will need to choose another event that makes sense when related to your core event. Pick a longer scene or topic in order to continue the repetition pattern that has to happen. After choosing two events, you will need to pick one more to round out your essay and complete the braid. It doesn’t have to relate to the first other strand you chose, but needs to relate to the core event somehow. In “The Fourth State of Matter,” Beard talks about the Iowa University Physics Department shooting. This relates to the collie because Beard discusses the collie with her coworkers, but also later because of Beard not being able to save her coworkers and their own death she has to deal with. Again, the key here is the repetition. Beard is constantly weaving these events in her essay to create the braid. You must do this too, to create a proper braided essay.

More Inspiration and Examples

If writing braided essays intrigues you, or you enjoy reading the format, I have a few sources of inspiration to share with you. Along with Beard’s “The Fourth State of Matter,” other braided essays include Biondolillo’s “ How to Skin a Bird ” and Redsand’s “ A Good Stranger .” Biondolilo’s “How to Skin a Bird” is a more fragmented version of a braided essay and discusses the author’s relationship with her daughter while instructing on how to skin a bird properly. Redsand’s “A Good Stranger” discusses the author’s religious identity, braiding Christianity, Judaism, and Navajo tradition. “A Good Stranger” is an outstanding example if you are looking to write on a theme rather than focus on a certain event. You can also find more information and other works to read on this  website .

You May Also Like

12 comments:.

"How to Skin a Bird" is about the author's relationship with her father, not her daughter. But otherwise thank you for this. Beard's "Fourth State of Matter" is pretty unparalleled in my opinion, but I like the form and variety of braids I see in these essays and appreciate the thoughtful way you wrote this post.

Thank you for this information. Just want to let you know there are a few typos.

A lot of mistakes for a “writing addict.”

I appreciate the explanation and examples you gave. I was surprised to find several editing mistakes in your writing, though. For example, you wrote that squirrels were investing a bedroom when I think you mean infesting. I don’t want to be a curmudgeon, but there were enough errors to distract me from the reading. You may get consider editing your writing more thoroughly or hiring someone to do so.

Hi Kathy, I’m sorry you found the editing mistakes distracting, but I’m glad you enjoyed the content. This post is three years old and I like to believe my skills have improved since then. I will happily read over this post again and give it another editing look. By the way, “You may consider editing your writing more thoroughly or hiring someone to do so.” If you’re going to complain about someone’s editing/writing, I think I would review my comment more thoroughly. Have a great day and happy writing!

Some people are just sticklers, and sticklers are the reason so many writers are unnecessarily afraid of editors. Seriously, commenting on a stranger's blog about minor errors? Get over yourself! I thought this was the most useful and informative bit of writing about braided essays I've come across. Well done, Shelby.

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the post :) They are one of my favorite essay types and probably what I write most often apart from collage essays.

This was so helpful! I'm in a college class right now, it's online, and the professor asked us to write a rough draft for a braided essay without telling us what it was. Her only link led to a cite we used last week for an entirely different subject. You have saved my grade and my blood pressure. Thank you so much!

I'm glad I could help! Good luck with your essay! :)

I Googled braided essay to find some examples, got to your blog, and then read "The Fourth State of Matter." Holy Hell, beautiful. It's going to sit with me forever.

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

• WRIT42602 | Course

Writing the Braided Essay

This course was available in the past and may be presented again as part of the Open Enrollment curriculum.

Online registration deadline: Tues. 6/4/24 at 5 PM CT

Sign Up for Graham School news and updates.

$ 615.00

Open to All Text and Live Video

Zoom calls Tuesdays at 9pm Eastern

Many writers come to the page with the desire to write about their own experiences—to tell their own story. And yet, telling the truth about ourselves can be one of the most challenging asks for a writer. We are culturally conditioned to keep certain aspects of our lives private, to quiet our voices, to let others speak for us. Self-doubt and self-censorship often come up. For many writers of personal narrative, finding the agency to access your own voice is the key to putting words on the page.

This workshop will guide you through how to write a braided essay, using both your own experiences and material that you’ll develop throughout the course. Some of the most successful braided essays utilize multiple modalities of nonfiction writing, from memoir and personal narrative to immersion journalism, cultural criticism, science writing, and academic and literary research, so with the goal of equipping you with as many tools as you need to write your essay with agency and authority, this course will explore the form and craft several of these modalities: memoir, immersion research, and cultural criticism.

In the eight weeks of the workshop, you will gain and deepen your familiarity with the form of the braided essay, using personal narrative to inform and resonate with outward-looking work. We will explore content and craft and will spend time researching and generating braids of memoir, experiential research, and secondary research/cultural criticism.

Throughout the course, you will work with the desire to write the self, and explore how to use the self as your unique lens through which to write about whatever you are interested in. Through craft practices, empowerment exercises, and a broad reframing of what personal narrative can do, the class will build toward writing a braided essay that puts your story on the page.

Learning and Writing Goals

Learning goals.

In this workshop, you will study the braided essay through creative and craft work while generating drafts of new material toward your own braided essay. The class will delve into the practices of memoir, immersion research, and cultural criticism, as well as how to “do the braid”—that is, how to compose, edit, and organize material that can become unwieldy in draft form.

You will learn practical techniques (like how to use index cards and your wall or floor to visually represent ideas and structures, and how to use the sonic rhythms of poetry to link disparate chunks of text), and you will learn a series of empowerment exercises that you can return to when you find your voice stuck in your throat.

By the end of the class, you’ll learn how to deploy personal narrative and different styles of outward-looking writing to link seemingly unrelated ideas, and you’ll realize and capitalize on the textual currency embedded in your own memories, experiences, and curiosities. You’ll learn to read as a writer and write as an editor, homing your eye toward connections of ideas and language.

Writing Goals

You will leave the class with a first draft of a braided essay and revision plan to guide you toward its completion.

Zoom Schedule

90 minute Zoom meetings will take place each Tuesday beginning June 11, at 6:00pm Pacific/9:00 Eastern.

Weekly Syllabus

Week one: introductions and overview.

• Introductions
• Craft talk on the braided essay, overview of 3 parts we’re looking at, etc
• Intro Morning Pages
• Method exercise
• Readings: Biondolillo, Conover
• Homework: daily pages toward essay ideas

WEEK TWO: LOOKING INWARD: MEMOIR AND PERSONAL NARRATIVE

• Craft talk on memoir
• Discussion: aspects of memoir
• Method exercise: Shifting Voices
• Drafting plans
• Reading: Dombek, Yuknavitch
• Homework: memoir pages

WEEK THREE: THE BODY IS THE TOOL: EXPERIENTIAL AND IMMERSION RESEARCH

• Craft talk on experiential and immersion research
• Generate experiential or immersion plans and/or freewrite pages
• First/second/third exercise
• Reading: Abdurraqib, Biss
• Homework: experiential/immersion research and pages

WEEK FOUR: LOOKING OUTWARD: CULTURAL CRITICISM AND SECONDARY RESEARCH

• Reader response to experiential/immersion pages
• Craft talk on cultural criticism/secondary research
• Discussion: Research method
• Authority of voice exercise
• Reading: Febos
• Homework: cultural crit/secondary research pages

WEEK FIVE: FILLING IN THE GAPS: LEARNING TO SEE WHAT YOUR DRAFT NEEDS

• Craft talk on seeing the big picture and filling in the gaps
• Reverse outline exercise
• Reading as a writer exercise
• Reading: McPhee, Tufte
• Homework: reverse outline, edit plan, and work on edits/expansion

WEEK SIX: STRUCTURING, EDITING, AND REVISIONS: BRINGING SHAPE AND PRECISION TO YOUR PAGES

• Reader response to cultural crit/secondary research pages
• Craft talk on structuring, editing, and revisions
• Discussion: structural modes and logics
• Exercise: Unmixing metaphors + applying pressure to language
• Reading: Chavez, Session Iworkshop drafts
• Homework: edits, Session I writers submit drafts

WEEK SEVEN: WORKSHOP I

• The Critical Response Method
• Workshop Session I
• Reading: Session II workshop drafts
• Homework: Session II writers submit drafts

WEEK EIGHT: WORKSHOP II

• Workshop Session II

Student Feedback for Margo Steines:

Margo writes with insight and incisiveness you feel in your gut. Reading her work reminds me that I am human and alive and not alone in feeling what I feel. It's a privilege to read Margo and also to be edited by her. She's a thoughtful editor who possesses both empathy and sharp instincts, which do not always appear in the same package. She knows how to ask you thought-provoking questions about your work that lead you to your own solutions. Rachel Reeves, journalist

“Margo’s course was a joy. Her knowledge, experience, and empathy created a safe space for discussing sensitive subjects, and left me not only more confident in my writing about challenging subjects but with broader insights into life as a whole. You can’t ask for more than that.” —James Boud

About Margo Steines

Margo Steines is a native New Yorker, a journeyman ironworker, and serves as mom to a wildly spirited small person.

Margo holds an MFA in nonfiction writing from the University of Arizona and lives and writes in Tucson. Her work was named Notable in Best American Essays and has appeared in The Sun, Brevity, Off Assignment, The New York Times (Modern Love), the anthology Letter to a Stranger: Essays to the Ones Who Haunt Us , and elsewhere. She is the author of the memoir-in-essays Brutalities: A Love Story .

Margo is faculty at the University of Arizona Writing Program and is also a private creative coach and creative writing class facilitator. You can read more about her practices at margosteines.com.

Margo's Courses

Writing the Body: A Nonfiction Craft Seminar Secrets & Confessions: Writing Deeply Personal Nonfiction Writing the Memoir-in-Essays *Private Class | Finding Confidence in the Braided Essay: A Craft and Empowerment Workshop for Literary Nonfiction Writing Chronic Illness Finding Confidence in the Braided Essay: A Craft and Empowerment Workshop for Literary Nonfiction

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Course Syllabus

Play with Pattern: Crafting the Braided and Collage Essays

Often, experimenting with a new form is the best way to get unstuck and gain a fresh perspective on your writing. Perhaps you’re wondering how to become more experimental or looser in your writing, or you may be at an impasse with material you’ve been working with. In this generative course, we will examine the creative potential of juxtaposing themes through collage or a braided technique. Using writing prompts, readings, and discussion questions, you will explore how to breathe life into a subject through weaving of material and use of space. This class will provide tips and practice in using these forms as a way to make your writing fresh and engaging, both for your reader and for yourself.

Week 1 – Space and Juxtaposition

In this first week, you will examine models of collage essays, thinking about how they ask the reader to participate in the construction of meaning. What does this look like from the writer’s side?  Through directed prompts, you will investigate how collage can be a tool of creative investigation.

Week 2 – Creating Resonance in Collage Pieces

You will further explore collage, pacing, and revision. How can collaged pieces draw a reader along?  What is that engine?  You will look for repetitions (of motifs/images/language) in pieces by others and analyze how that is working in your own responses to writing exercises.

Week 3 – Braided Pieces and How the Weaving Works

This week will address models of braided pieces and how they work. You’ll look at your own interests and begin mining your life for threads of language or subject matter, unlocking their creative potential.

Week 4 – Following the Threads

You will build on your thinking about collage and braiding, investigating how these techniques can enliven old drafts or help you find your way into new work. Whether or not the final piece is strictly in the form of collage or braided essay, how can you bring these techniques into your writing practice? End the course with a better understanding of how loose connections,  juxtapositions, and the joining of disparate ideas are central to the creative life.

“Play with Pattern,” was developed by Joanna Cooper. Joanna Penn Cooper writes and teaches flash memoir, lyric essays, and poetry, and she is the author of  The Itinerant Girl’s Guide to Self-Hypnosis   (Brooklyn Arts Press) and   What Is a Domicile  (Noctuary Press). Her work has appeared in  The Academy of American Poets  Poem-a-Day feature, as well as  South Dakota Review, Vinyl, On the Seawall, Poetry International , and other journals. Joanna holds a Ph.D. in English from Temple University and an MFA from New England College, and in her teaching career, she has held full-time visiting positions at Marquette University and Fordham University.  Joanna is a frequent contributor to  Good Letters , the online component of  Image Journal . She lives in Durham, North Carolina.