Creative Writing: Fiction (Semester)
In this 12-week class, students will learn how to take their fiction writing to the next level. We will cover the different elements of a story and practice writing weekly to fine-tune those writing skills.
Erica Sirratt
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(281)
Rising Star
What's included
12 live meetings
10 in-class hoursClass Experience
By the end of this course, students will have the tools they need to write college-level creative writing. Each week, students will begin class with a creative writing exercise and finish with writing by applying what they've learned. There will be a lot of discussion and brainstorming in this class. Students will be encouraged, but not required to share in class. Each week, there will be homework listed, but typically students will be able to finish in class. Most weeks, homework will be to finish what wasn't finished in class. In this class, we will cover: - genre - different forms of fiction - theme - plot - six types of conflict - character development - dialogue - point of view - setting - types of scenes and more... Week 1: Warm-up writing prompt Overview of the class structure We will look at the different genres (Fiction, Non-fiction, Drama, Folklore, Poetry) and their different sub-genres (science fiction, fantasy, fairy tale, etc...) Students will get a print-out showing the different genres and their sub-genres. Activity -- Match the book to the genre Writing exercise -- Genre mash Share time Week 2: Warm-up writing prompt Discuss theme and ways to make the theme clear in a story Activity -- Read a few short short stories and find the theme Review elements of a fable Read a fable in class Writing exercise -- Fable remake Share time HOMEWORK: Finish fable remake OR take a well-known fable and change the moral Week 3: Warm-up writing prompt Form of fiction -- Drabble Read examples of drabble Basic elements of a story -- plot, setting, characters, conflict (students will receive handouts they can print to keep for notes) Writing exercise -- Write your own drabble Share time HOMEWORK: Finish writing drabble; submit to teacher for review Week 4: Warm-up writing prompt Discuss the six types of conflict (man versus man, man versus self, etc...) Discuss how all story plots can be simplified down to these different conflicts Activity -- Conflict match Writing exercise -- Change it up Share time HOMEWORK: Finish writing exercise; submit to teacher for review Week 5: Warm-up writing prompt Review elements of a fairy tale Read a Grimms Brothers fairy tale and compare it to the "happily ever after" version Discuss the difference between drabble and flash fiction Share time Writing exercise -- Grimms Brothers remake (drabble or flash) HOMEWORK: Finish writing exercise; submit to teacher for review Week 6: Warm-up writing prompt Four different points of view (first, second, third-omniscient, third-limited) How setting and point of view changes a story (different places, time periods, etc...) Writing activity -- Story mash up Share time HOMEWORK: Finish writing exercise; submit to teacher for review Week 7: Warm-up writing prompt Creating believable characters (relatability, dialogue, backstory, etc...) Moving plot through good dialogue Writing activity -- Create your character Share time HOMEWORK: Finish writing exercise; submit to teacher for review Week 8: Warm-up writing prompt Types of scenes Anatomy of a scene Writing activity -- Revise past work Share time HOMEWORK: Finish writing exercise; submit to teacher for review Week 9: Warm-up writing prompt Show, don't tell (adding details to your writing) Writing activity -- Revise past work HOMEWORK: Finish writing exercise; submit to teacher for review Week 10: Warm-up writing prompt Writer's workshop -- Write your own fairy tale Students will apply the skills learned over the previous weeks to write their own fairy tale. Share time HOMEWORK: Finish fairy tale; submit to teacher for review Week 11: Warm-up writing prompt Writer's workshop -- Look over past warm-up writing prompts and choose one to turn into a short story. Students will spend class working on creating a short story using the skills that have been learned over the last several weeks. HOMEWORK: Finish short story; submit to teacher for review Week 12: Warm-up writing prompt Students will learn basic tips for giving good peer review of writing. Students will share their finished rough drafts and receive constructive criticism and encouragement from other students.
Other Details
Supply List
Students need a notebook they can write in each week.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
4.8
281reviews
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from University of Central Arkansas
I have a bachelor's degree in writing and journalism. I worked as a journalist for over five years and won several awards during my career. A large portion of my college years was spent studying creative writing. I have self-published a few fiction books and I am currently working on another. I have taught in homeschool co-ops and taught my own children to read and write. Before changing my degree to writing, my study focus was on how to teach writing.Reviews
Live Group Class
$150
for 12 classes1x per week, 12 weeks
50 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-14
3-6 learners per class
