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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 course will help!
We'll take you through the entire process…preparing your mind, getting ideas on paper, and help you through the editing and proofing process. 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 as well as learn how to create your own wonderful works!
Amateur short story writers try to write their stories like miniature novels. Their stories read as either an excerpt or a condensed novel. Unfortunately, undisciplined writers do not write short stories that are complete. They overlook the fundamentals--such as--what sets the short story apart from a novel, and why one can never be substituted for the other.
This course will show you how to write effectively and creatively. So join us today! And let's write some short stories that people will want to read!
Course Lessons
Lesson 1: The Differences between a Short Story and a Novel
To write short stories it's important that one have a good understanding of what one is and how they differ from novels. This lesson examines in detail what they are and how they differ from and novels.
Lesson 2: Starting a Short Story
While novels may have lengthy introductions with background information, short stories do not. With short stories you need to jump right in and work to advance the plot. This lesson explores all the ins and outs of starting a short story.
Lesson 3: Writing a Catchy First Paragraph
The first paragraph of a short story is the biggest determining factor as to whether or not the reader will continue reading or not. This lesson looks at what goes into writing a great opening paragraph.
Lesson 4: Developing Characters
While a strong opening to a short story is essential, the characters are the glue that hold it together. In this lesson you will learn about what should go into developing a character.
Lesson 5: Choosing a Point of View and Tense
The point of view your story will take is an important factor. This lesson explains the differences in points of view and tenses and when it's appropriate to use each of them.
Lesson 6: Dialogue
Dialogue is one of the most important and interesting things that goes on in a short story. But how do you write it correctly? This lesson looks at the rules of writing good dialogue.
Lesson 7: Setting, Context, and Plot
In this lesson you will learn about how to go about writing the setting, context, and plot of the story. A lot of what you have learned so far starts coming together with this lesson.
Lesson 8: Conflict and Tension
Conflict and tension are key elements to any short story. This lesson breaks down and explains the rules of how to use it in writing short stories.
Lesson 9: Building to a Climax
All good short stories must build to a climax. This lesson explains what the climax is and when it's ideal to reach it.
Lesson 10: The Resolution
This lesson focuses on the resolution to the conflict in the short story. It covers what it is and how it's used.
Lesson 11: Tips for Writing Your Short Stories
This lesson covers information about writing short stories, finding fresh ideas, and finding a market to get them published.
24 Answers Every Writer Should Know
24 Answers Every Writer Should Know
Optional Certificates Awarded
Certificate of Class Participation
Certificate of Merit
Certificate of Academic Excellence
In addition to the standard Certificate of Course Completion, Merit Awards may be issued by the instructor at his/her own discretion and are based on student achievement. Merit awards also incur an additional $30.00 processing fee that covers the customization, printing, and delivery of the award, as well as access to the UniversalClass™ Portfolio Service that documents your achievements online. Official Merit Awards have a serial number that verifies the authenticity of the award (great for employers to verify your achievement).
This is a non-credit course, and is provided for your personal enrichment.
This course is not intended to be a substitute for any state, government, licensing, or educational requirements.
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