Course Description
This class is an in-depth study of short stories and how to write them. It covers different elements of short stories, and looks at how writers can improve their use of each element. Students will be reading and discussing short stories. There is an emphasis on learning through practice, and so students will be completing writing exercises and writing short stories.
This course is ideal for students with a serious interest in the short story genre and in creative writing. It is unique in that it uses different methods to learn and become better authors. The combination of traditional lessons and teaching, writing exercises and creative thought, and reading and studying short stories allows students to learn in a variety of ways.
All students with an interest in the subject matter and a proficient level of written English are welcomed to the course. Most students will have had some previous writing experience.
Course Requirements
As this is an advanced creative writing class, students are expected to have at least a high school writing level. They should also have had experience with short story writing. (This course is designed to continue from the introductory short story writing course I instruct. If you have not taken that course with UniversalClass, you should have an equivalent background.)
Students should have regular internet access and have Microsoft Word.
Many reading recommendations will be made throughout the course. Students can either purchase these or borrow them from their local library. Some of the stories are also available on the internet. We will be referring to the short story compilation Survival Rates, by Mary Clyde, often. It is available from www.amazon.com. Used copies cost as little as $0.01.
Course Goals
The overall goal of this course is to improve each student's understanding of short stories and improve their writing ability. This will be acheived by working on the following five areas:
1. Story Structure
2. Dialog
3. Setting
4. Point of View
5. Characters
Course Materials
Each student needs regular access to a computer with internet and a word processing program. Each student should have a copy of the short story compilation Survival Rates, by Mary Clyde.
Grading Policy
As this is a creative writing course, grading on assignments is based on effort, adherance to assignment requirements, and personal improvement. Students will not be compared to each other, but rather encouraged to develop their own abilities and style.
The exams test knowledge of the information and literary theories covered in the lessons.
