Writing the Great American Short Story

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7

Lessons
11

Exams &
Assignments
541

Students
have taken this course
5

Hours
average time
0.5

CEUs

Course Description

A pair of hands on the keyboard, a blank screen, and a single wish: You want to write the Great American Short Story! You've read many of them -- Poe's "Black Cat," Cheever's "Enormous Radio," Welty's "The Worn Path" -- but have you come close to writing a tale that lingers with readers after the last page is turned?

In this class, you will gain the inspiration and the discipline to write a short story of 1000 to 8000 words. We will use examples from all genres, exploring the techniques of plot, style, flow, voice and tone that will make your fiction sing. This close reading of master works is accompanied by tried and true methods for putting words on the page, revising, and handling criticism from others. One thing's for sure: Your stories are ready to tell themselves to you. And, if all goes well enough, they'll tell themselves to the world as well. So, are you ready to start writing?

Completely Online

Self-Paced

Printable Lessons

Full HD Video

6 Months to Complete

24/7 Availability

Start Anytime

PC & Mac Compatible

Android & iOS Friendly

Accredited CEUs

Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:

"Extraordinarily Helpful"

(653 votes)

Lesson 1: The Short Story Landscape in America

Who reads short stories in America? Who writes them? Who will read your story? 11 Total Points

Lesson 1 Video
Take Poll: Who Will Read Your Short Story?
Take Survey: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete: Assignment 1A: Class Forum Postings
Complete Exam: The Short Story Landscape

Lesson 2: Answering to the Muse

Before you can begin writing a story, you need to know what story you will write. In this lesson, we'll consider how a short story is born. 20 Total Points

Lesson 2 Video
Take Poll: Inspiration
Complete: Assignment 2: Write the First Page of Your Story
Complete Exam: Answering to the Muse

Lesson 3: Developing a Main Character

Who is your hero, and why? The hero or heroine of your story is the person the reader must become as the story progresses. 15 Total Points

Lesson 3 Video
Review Article: How to Develop a Character in a Short Story or Novel
Take Poll: The People Around You
Complete: Assignment 3: Character Profile Worksheet
Complete Exam: Developing a Main Character

Lesson 4: Telling the Story: Structure and Plot

In this lesson, we're focusing on plot, story structure, narrative -- whatever you choose to call the act of telling the story. 9 Total Points

Lesson 4 Video
Review 2 Articles: Plot Structure; The Short Story on Structuring Your Short Story
Take Poll: Approaches to Storytelling
Complete Exam: Telling the Story: Structure & Plot

Lesson 5: Styling the Words You Write

In fiction writing, differences in style and language distinguish writers from each other. 10 Total Points

Lesson 5 Video
Review Article: Short Story Writing Styles
Take Poll: What's Your Flavor?
Complete Exam: Styling the Words You Write

Lesson 6: End Your Story Like a Master

Brilliant conclusions are definitely possible. 40 Total Points

Lesson 6 Video
Take Poll: The Easy Way Out
Complete: Assignment 4: Finish Your Short Story
Complete Exam: End Your Story Like a Master

Lesson 7: Revising Your Writing

How long is your work a work-in-progress? 10 Total Points

Lesson 7 Video
Take Poll: Receiving Feedback
Take Survey: Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
Complete Exam: Revising Your Writing

115

Total Course Points

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Summarize the short story landscape in America.
Describe developing a main character.
Summarize telling the story.
Describe styling the words you write.
Summarize ending your story like a master.
Revise and edit the story, and
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

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