Sometimes it looks like the best journalism; sometimes its style more closely resembles fiction. The modern essay can take many forms, but there is no doubt that these days it is a far cry from the stilted version of it we laboured over in school.

Peter Craven, Amanda Lohrey and Hilary Mantel gathered to discuss the nature and future of the essay in a panel organized by the Media Department at Macquarie University for the 2004 Sydney Writers? Festival.

Select an image for an edited transcript of their talks.

For a printable version of all three transcripts please click here.