Course Syllabus

Course Description / Overview:

Have a great idea for a story, but don't know where to start? Or maybe you hate reading because you never find any stories about characters that are like you? Come to this writing workshop where we will break down the basics of character creation and how characters move the plot foreword. Or come sharpen you writing skills as students learn to develop their own writing voice and literary analysis skills. This course also covers an assortment of different composition styles including short stories, plays, and comics. This class will culminate in the development of a portfolio of writing samples.

 

Class Goals/Outcomes:

  • Students will gain a basic understanding of story elements
  • Students will be introduced to several story telling mediums including script and comic
  • Students will leave this class with either a portfolio of writing samples or a larger completed story

 

Course Outline:

Day 1

Intro to Creative Writing and How to write something that other people care about

Activity: Free Write
Day 2

 Character Building

Activity: Character Creation, Character Swap
Day 3

Setting it Up

Activity: Fictional Travel Ad
Day 4

Outlining

Activity: Free Writing 
Day 5

Adding Conflict and Drama

Video: Heroes' Journey

Activity: Raising the Stake
Day 6

Overcoming the Block

Activity: Prompts
Day 7

Drafting and Editing

Activity: Rewrite Challenge
Day 8

Putting it all together

Activity: Sharing and Scenes From a Hat

 

Student Expectations / Classroom Policies:

  • Appropriate, polite behavior and language is required at all times.
  • Students will be respectful of each other and the instructor
  • There will be free writing time in this class, students are expected to stay on topic during those times.

 

What Should I bring to Class?

  •  Notebook
  • Access to Google Docs or other word processor
  • Pencils or Pens
  • Optional to print out handouts
    • Access to Printer
    • Blank Paper