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Office Hours: |
Continuous
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Course Meeting Times: |
Continuous
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Course Description

If you're a reader and thought you might like to try your hand at short story writing but just don't know how to get started, this basic course will help. The class takes you through the entire process -- from preparing your mind and getting ideas on paper, to editing and proofing. You'll learn new skills, and find new ways to express yourself.
As you advance through this course, you're going to learn the correct way to write a short story. More than that, you're going to learn the aspects of every good short story and how to create your own.
Amateur short story writers try to write their stories like miniature novels. Their stories read as either an excerpt or a condensed novel. They do not write short stories that are actual complete stories. They do not know what sets the short story apart from the novel, and why one can never be substituted for the other. This course will show you how to write effectively and creatively.
Topics will include:
- Lesson 1: The Differences between a Short Story and a Novel
- Lesson 2: Starting a Short Story
- Lesson 3: Writing a Catchy First Paragraph
- Lesson 4: Developing Characters
- Lesson 5: Choosing a Point of View and Tense
- Lesson 6: Dialogue
- Lesson 7: Setting, Context, and Plot
- Lesson 8: Conflict and Tension
- Lesson 9: Building to a Climax
- Lesson 10: The Resolution
- Lesson 11: Tips for Writing Your Short Stories
- 24 Answers Every Writer Should Know
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Course Requirements
At least a high school reading and writing educational level is required.
Course Topics
Lesson 1: The Differences between a Short Story and a Novel
Lesson 2: Starting a Short Story
Lesson 3: Writing a Catchy First Paragraph
Lesson 4: Developing Characters
Lesson 5: Choosing a Point of View and Tense
Lesson 6: Dialogue
Lesson 7: Setting, Context, and Plot
Lesson 8: Conflict and Tension
Lesson 9: Building to a Climax
Lesson 10: The Resolution
Lesson 11: Tips for Writing Your Short Stories
24 Answers Every Writer Should Know
Course Materials
All course materials will be online and no outside purchases will be required.
Grading Policy
The course consists of twelve lessons. At the end of each lesson will be one writing assignment and a lesson review quiz based on the lesson material. A percentage grade will be given based on point accumulation.