Creative Writing for Beginners

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
Course Description
Creative writing is a form of artistic expression. While the painter uses canvas and the sculptor uses clay, the writer uses pen and paper – or computer and keyboard in today's world. This course was designed to teach you the tools and mechanics of creative writing. You'll learn about writing fiction, poetry, screenplays, and even non-fiction. It doesn't matter if you're already writing or if you want to learn more about it so you can start. This course teaches you the basics that you need to know and gives you the skill sets you need to start creating your written works of art.
You'll learn:
- About the different forms of creative writing
- The true value of creative writing
- Reasons why you should write – and frequently
- The tools you need to use to write excellent fiction
- The different types of nonfiction
- How to write memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies
- How to write articles for newspapers, blogs, or journals
- How to overcome writer's block
- How to write poetry
- And how to get your work recognized and published
There are fifteen lessons in this course. Each lesson is broken down to talk about a form of creative writing and the tools and mechanics you need to know that pertain to it. After each lesson, you'll find exercises that help you review what you've learned. You'll also find a dozen writing assignments that you can use to get the ideas flowing and start writing.
This course is the perfect introduction to creative writing. It will teach even the newest writer how to successfully take their ideas and put them onto paper. Even if you've never written anything before, this course will get you started – and you'll be amazed at how well you can actually do once you've finished.
Course Requirements
Course Topics
Lesson 1: Introduction to Creative Writing
About this Course
About Creative Writing
Creative Writing Defined
The Different Types of Creative Writing
The Value of Creative Writing
Lesson 2: Exploring Creative Writing
Why People Write
Why People Don’t Write
Having Fun Writing
Lesson 3: Secrets of Creative Writing
Figurative language
Parallel structure
Repetition
Diction
Wit
Voice
Style
Lesson 4: Elements of Short Story and Fiction Writing
Writing Narratives
Creating a Plot
Creating Conflict
Characterization
Lesson 5: Dialogue
About Dialogue
When to Use Dialogue
Writing Effective Dialogue
Common Mistakes with Dialogue
Lesson 6: Point of View
First Person Point of View
Omniscient Point of View
Third Person Point of View
Lesson 7: Writing Non-Fiction
About Non-Fiction
Memoirs
Biographies
Autobiographies
Lesson 8: Writing Poetry
About Poetry
The Purpose of Poetry
Free Verse
Rhyming Verse
Meter
Rhythm
Lesson 9: Writing Articles and Journalistic Pieces
Know Your Readers
Style and Flow
Content
The Inverted Pyramid
Lesson 10: Writing Dramas, Scripts, and Screenplays
Basics of writing plays
Basics of writing for film / different film genres
Basics for writing a script
Biggest markets for script writers
Lesson 11: The Importance of Editing
Introduction to Self-Editing
Hiring an Editor
Lesson 12: Overcoming Writer’s Block
What Causes Writer’s Block
How to Overcome Writer’s Block
How to Avoid Writer’s Block
Lesson 13: Unlocking Your Creativity
The Golden Rule of Creative Writing
Writing Prompt #1: Index Cards
Writing Prompt #2: Five Paragraphs about Five Things
Writing Prompt #3: The Dictionary
Writing Prompt #4: Journaling and Story Ideas
Writing Prompt #5: Observation
Writing Prompt #6: Freewriting
Writing Prompt #7: Webbing
Lesson 14: Resources for Writers
Before You Publish
The Importance of Reading
The Educated Writer
Writing Communities
Lesson 15: Publishing Your Writing
Building Credibility for Fiction and Nonfiction Writers
Building Credibility as a Journalist or Article Writer
Blogs and Personal Websites
For Article Writers and Journalists
For Fiction and Nonfiction Writers
E-zines and Other Sites
Publishing Your Work
Course Materials
All course materials will be online and no outside purchases will be required.
Grading Policy
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the creative writing process.
- Define elements of short story and fiction writing.
- Demonstrate dialogue.
- Demonstrate point of view.
- Demonstrate writing nonfiction.
- Demonstrate writing poetry.
- Demonstrate writing articles, blogs, and journalistic pieces.
- Demonstrate writing dramas, scripts, and screenplays.
- Describe the importance of editing.
- Describe techniques overcoming writer's block.
- Recognize new ways to unlock your creativity.
- Describe ways to publish your writing, and
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Assessment Guide
Assessment | Points |
---|---|
An Introduction | 1 |
Lesson 1 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 1 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 2 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 2 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 3 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 3 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 4 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 4 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 5 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 5 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 6 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 6 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 7 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 7 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 8 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 8 Exam | 9 |
Lesson 9 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 9 Exam | 9 |
Lesson 10 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 10 Exam | 9 |
Lesson 11 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 11 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 12 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 12 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 13 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 13 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 14 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 14 Exam | 10 |
Lesson 15 Assignment | 25 |
Lesson 15 Exam | 9 |
The Final Exam | 72 |
Total Points: | 594 |
Related Articles
- Basics of Copywriting
- The Role of Brainstorming in Persuasive Writing
- Novel Writing Help: Best Techniques for Developing Your Plot
- How to Polish Your Writing to be Sophisticated and Professional
- The Role of Cause and Effect in Novel Writing
- Proofreading Help: How to Use Proofreaders' Marks
- Novel Writing Help: Choose the Best Method for Writing and Completing Your Manuscript
- Writing Help: How to Properly Write Great and Enticing Dialogue for Your Story
- Proofreading Help: How to Create and Use a Stylesheet
- How to Create a Great Synopsis that will Sell Your Novel