David Sedaris

Teaches Storytelling and Humor

Masterclass is $20/month (billed annually)

With essays in The New Yorker, bestselling books like Calypso, tours, and readings on NPR, David Sedaris is one of the most recognizable essayists alive. Now he teaches you the art of personal storytelling. Learn how David crafts attention-grabbing openings, satisfying endings, and meaning from the mundane—and how he uses humor to connect with others and process the difficult and sometimes dark aspects of everyday life.

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Browse Lesson Plan
1. Introduction

Meet your new instructor: New York Times–bestselling author and humorist David Sedaris. David shares his thoughts on what you need to be a writer, how bad experiences become funny, and how everyone’s life is worth writing about.

2. Observing the World

David teaches you how to ask better questions, let stories land in your lap, and not ruin the moment when an idea for a story is unfolding before you.

3. Turning Observations Into Stories

Using examples from his own writing, David shows you how to take ideas from your diary and start expanding them into an essay.

4. Breaking Into a Story

The opening line is everything. David talks through multiple failed openings to his essay “Understanding Owls” and discusses how he landed on the final, published version.

5. Connecting to Your Reader

David gives you tips for making yourself relatable as a protagonist in your essays. He also covers how to structure the humor and content of your writing so that audiences can find something to connect to.

6. Writing About Loved Ones

How do you put the people you care about in your essays without hurting them? David discusses this challenge and brings in his sister Lisa, who’s appeared in many of his essays, for an intimate conversation.

7. Story Evolution: "Active Shooter"

Starting with a diary entry, David reads multiple drafts of the beginning of what eventually became his New Yorker essay “Active Shooter.”

8. Kitchen Sink Stories: Live in Cleveland

Get a behind-the-scenes look at David’s workshop process while he’s touring and watch as he tries a piece for the first time at a public reading in Cleveland.

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Frequently asked questions

General
What is MasterClass?

MasterClass is the streaming platform that makes it possible for anyone to watch or listen to hundreds of video lessons taught by 85+ of the world’s best.
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Whether it be in business and leadership, photography, cooking, writing, acting, music, sports and more, MasterClass delivers a world class online learning experience. Video lessons are available anytime, anywhere on your smartphone, personal computer, Apple TV and FireTV streaming media players.

What is included in a MasterClass membership?

Membership includes access to an incredible catalog of 85+ classes taught by the world’s best on cooking, leadership, photography, writing and more.
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Each class includes around 20 video lessons that are 10 minutes long on average, along with an in-depth workbook. You also get access to our smartphone and TV apps, offline lessons, our member’s only newsletter, and our dynamic community of members around the world.

Where can I watch?

With MasterClass, you can learn and be inspired anytime, anywhere, including your smartphone, personal computer, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku streaming media players. You can even download your favorite lessons and watch on the plane or listen during your commute in audio-only mode.*
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*Downloads only on iOS and not available for all classes. Audio mode is not available for all classes.

Which classes are right for me?

MasterClass offers 85+ classes across a variety of categories, including business and leadership, photography, cooking, writing, acting, music, sports and more. Every class has been designed to be accessible for people with little to no experience and advanced students alike. With new classes launching regulary, you can learn practical skills, ignite new passions, and get everyday wisdom.
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Check out our catalog and watch a few class trailers!

Pricing & Payment
How much does MasterClass cost?

The annual membership is $200 and provides unlimited access to all classes and new classes as they launch. All MasterClass memberships include access to our mobile and TV apps, high-definition videos, and downloadable class workbooks.

How does the 30-day guarantee work?

Our goal is to make sure that you have the best learning experience possible. If MasterClass isn’t for you, then email us within 30 days of the date you purchase your subscription, and we’ll offer a full refund.

How do I cancel?

If you don’t want to continue, you can cancel your membership renewal through your account page. Follow the prompts to cancel on the Settings page, and your membership will not renew. Please note that there aren’t refunds for partially unused membership periods.
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If you have more questions, please contact us. We’re happy to help!

What is MasterClass?

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