Creative Writing - Creating Memorable Characters
Strengthen your learner's writing skills with my fun, self-paced workshop on creating memorable characters! Designed for ages 14-18, students will learn comprehensive character development skills through engaging creative writing exercises.
What's included
6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssignments
2-4 hours per week. Written assignments are provided to assess students' understanding and application of the lesson content. Clear expectations for all assignments are provided via grading rubrics. Students receive grading & feedback for all submitted assignments.Projects
Grading rubrics are provided for the final projects that include a comprehensive character profile and scene creation to demonstrate content mastery.Assessment
Assessment is done via grading rubrics for all submitted work in the class.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner - Advanced Level
COURSE OVERVIEW: This self-paced course teaches students how to create dynamic, multi-dimensional characters using video & text instruction & writing exercises. TOPICS COVERED: Character personality development, backstory creation, character goals, flaws, personal growth, and crafting engaging dialogue with unique character voices CLASS STRUCTURE: Six self-paced lessons, combining narrated video lectures and text lesson notes. Writing assignments are provided for each lesson and must be submitted to the teacher for grading and feedback using the provided rubrics. LEARNING STYLE: Interactive audio, video, written media with examples from popular films & books LEARNER INTERACTION: Asynchronous comments & messages with teacher via the Outschool class page Asynchronous evaluation & personalized feedback from the teacher using grading rubrics TEACHING STYLE: My teaching style is engaging, practical, and supportive. I focus on making complex concepts accessible and enjoyable, using clear explanations and relatable examples. I encourage creativity and individuality, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. My approach balances structured learning with creative exploration, ensuring students feel confident and inspired.
Learning Goals
Identify and explain the key elements of a memorable character, including personality, backstory, goals, flaws, and growth.Differentiate between various character types, such as protagonists, antagonists, flat characters, round characters, dynamic characters, and static characters.
Syllabus
Standards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)6 Lessons
over 6 WeeksLesson 1:
Lesson 1 - Introduction to Character Creation
Explore what makes a character memorable and why characters are vital to any story. 1 assignment
16 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Lesson 2 - Understanding Character Types
Explore the different types of characters and how they interact 1 assignment
7 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
Lesson 3 - Developing Character Depth
Explore how to create compelling backstories, define clear goals and motivations, and establish both strengths and flaws 1 assignment
6 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Lesson 4 - Bringing Characters to Life
Explore how to make your characters come alive on the page 1 assignment
6 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Learning Needs
I provide narration and engaging visual content in each video lesson. Key information from the videos are provided in text format as lesson notes. Learners have a great deal of flexibility in the structure and format of their assignments.
Pre-Requisites
- Some experience with writing fictional stories
- Some experience creating original characters for storytelling
- Desire to create more memorable original characters
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Popular Media Referenced:
1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
2. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
3. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5. Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan
6. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
7. Marvel Comics by Stan Lee
Joined June, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
3 Teaching Certificates
Missouri Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Georgia Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Georgia Teaching Certificate
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Kennesaw State University
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University
I hold a Masters degree in Education, specializing in Instructional Technology and hold current teaching certifications in both Georgia and Missouri. I have taught internationally in the United Arab Emirates and South Korea, as well as in the United States, giving me a broad perspective on diverse educational practices. My fondness for creative writing combined with my experience in instructional design allows me to create engaging, accessible content that helps learners explore complex concepts in a way that resonates with them.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$34
weekly or $199 for all content6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Choose your start date
Ages: 14-18
