Course Description
Have you ever read a story and thought that you could have written it better? Have you ever had a brilliant idea for a story, but not known how to actually write it? Have you ever had children beg you for one more story before they go to sleep? If so, then you are interested in short stories.
Short stories are a great way to begin prose writing. This course teaches you how to write them. Lessons focus on practical instruction, including how to come up with ideas, how to begin writing, and how to form a story. Attention is also paid to developing your work and possibly publishing it.
This course is intended for beginning writers who would like to either learn how to write stories or improve their writing abilities. If you are interested in creative writing and have at least a high-school reading and writing level, then you will benefit from this course. It allows for individualization so that you can focus on the elements important to your writing, and so that you can receive personalized reading recommendations and writing critiques.
Course Requirements
- Students must be fluent in English with at least a high school writing level.
- Students should have access to Microsoft Word.
- Students should have regular access to the internet in order to participate in the class.
Course Goals
As a creative writing course, there is an element of flexibility. I will be happy to discuss personal goals with individual students. These goals, however, are what I hope to achieve with each class participant.
1. Each student should familiarize themselves with the short story genre by reading short stories in a variety of genres. They will be able to academically discuss short stories.
2. Each student will learn how to initiate creative thought. They will learn how to brainstorm and avoid writer's block.
3. Each student will increase their productivity as authors. Techniques for consistent writing will be covered.
4. Students will learn how to write original short stories. They will feel comfortable moving from an initial idea and prewriting to plotting and writing and editing/rewriting.
Course Materials
No books are specifically required for this course. However, Natalie Goldberg's books Writing Down the Bones and Wild Mind would be helpful as general writing resources. The student may also wish to invest in several short story collections in order to become more familiar with the genre. I will recommend various authors throughout the course. Most reading materials should be available from the library.
Grading Policy
As this is a creative writing course, it is difficult to define an exact criteria for grades. All assignments that are completed to the criteria given will be awarded at least 75%. Work that shows insight and effort will be marked higher. As the writer's ability improves, so will the grades they recieve. This course is graded individually. Each student will be judged according to how they improve, not compared to the abilities of other students.
Disclaimer
