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Beginner's Guide to Creative Writing Techniques (Simile, Hyperbole, Irony, Etc.)

Our course empowers students to captivate audiences by mastering essential literary techniques, enhancing their writing, speaking, reading, and communication skills. Students will learn to convey ideas compellingly and creatively.
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What's included

4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Homework
1 hour per week. There are multiple opportunities for practice through the included exercises (i.e. worksheets) and the culminating listening activity that ends each section. While these are typically not graded, we would be happy to provide feedback upon request.
Certificate of Completion
A Certificate of Completion can be supplied upon request as long as all modules are completed in full. If there are any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
Whether it be writing, speaking, marketing or mere conversation, language is the vehicle through which we express our thoughts, dreams, creativity, desires, and opinions. But not everyone communicates in a compelling way. Holding people’s attention can be quite a challenge, especially in a time where the average attention span is consistently decreasing due to social media preferences such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Holding people’s attention today is perhaps harder than ever before. Luckily, literary techniques allow you to present your thoughts in a way that is interesting, fun and/or unique. They are used by storytellers, public speakers, advertisers, educators, salespersons, politicians, comedians, as well as people who just enjoy regaling their friends and family, to place a spotlight on their ideas. In this course, we cover ten commonly used literary techniques that can be used by anyone, anywhere, to improve the efficacy of their communication skills. These basic techniques can be used to clarify concepts, engage an audience, or even add some intrigue or novelty to your messages. 

We will discuss allusion, hyperbole, irony, simile, metaphor, imagery, personification, idiomatic expressions, mood and tone as devices used in communication. This is step one in becoming a more intriguing communicator, whether it be as a writer, speaker, or both. Knowing these techniques, with the eventual goal of applying them with purpose, will help set you above many of the more lackluster, dull and/or disengaging speakers, writers, and conversationalists you encounter.

Forget the drab days of boring dialogue, monotonous stories, and lifeless conversation. Start to communicate in color…. In living color… by applying these techniques to your communication style. You may be surprised by the results.

This is a self-paced course, meaning you can watch the classes and proceed at your own speed. In this course, we will cover the following:

*Simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, irony, allusions, idioms, alliteration, imagery, mood and tone.

    *We will define what these techniques are.

    *We will explain why they are used.

    *We will demonstrate their use across various different media.

    *We will give tips on how to use them yourself.

    *We will practice identifying and applying them in context.
Learning Goals
Understand and define simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, irony, allusion, idioms, alliteration, imagery, mood, and tone.
Learn why literary techniques are used in various forms of communication such as writing, speaking, marketing, and everyday conversation.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Curriculum
4 Lessons
over 4 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Similes, Metaphors, and Hyperbole.
 In this class, students will dive into the world of vivid and imaginative language. By mastering these three powerful literary devices, students will learn to draw striking comparisons, create impactful imagery, and exaggerate for dramatic effect. Whether you're crafting a story, delivering a speech, or just looking to add some flair to your everyday conversations, this class will equip you with the tools to communicate in a more engaging and memorable way. 
Lesson 2:
Personification, Irony, and Sarcasm.
 In this class, students will learn how to use personification to bring objects to life, irony to create surprising and thought-provoking twists, and sarcasm to add humor and wit to their writing. Through fun examples and interactive exercises, students will gain a solid understanding of these techniques, making their writing more dynamic and captivating. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their storytelling skills! 
Lesson 3:
Imagery, Idioms, Alliteration, Consonance, and Assonance.
 Step into the world of vivid language with this exciting class! Students will explore how to use imagery to create strong visual pictures, idioms to add colorful expressions, and alliteration, consonance, and assonance to make writing more musical and memorable. Through practical examples, students will master these techniques, enhancing their writing and making it more engaging. Ideal for those looking to improve their storytelling and poetry skills! 
Lesson 4:
Mood, Tone, and Allusions.
 Unlock the secrets of impactful writing in this immersive class! Students will learn how to set the mood to evoke emotions, use tone to convey attitudes, and incorporate allusions to add depth and layers of meaning. Through engaging activities and practical examples, high school students will develop a keen understanding of these techniques, enhancing their writing and making it more compelling. Perfect for those aiming to elevate their storytelling and analytical skills! 

Other Details

Parental Guidance
This class is hosted on Canvas, chosen for its interactive features and robust course development capabilities. Signing up is simple; all you need is your name and email. If you encounter any issues with Canvas, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Our course incorporates a variety of media to demonstrate techniques, including poetry and song lyrics. While we believe our content is suitable for the intended age group, we recognize that sensitivities vary. We encourage you to exercise general due diligence when engaging with the material.
Pre-Requisites
No previous skills are required.
Supply List
Everything needed for the class is included.
Joined March, 2024
New on Outschool
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Teacher expertise and credentials
The teacher has a Master's Degree in Education, a Bachelor's Degree in Writing,  and a professional teaching license in English.

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Self-Paced Course
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$19

weekly or $73 for all content
4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content

Completed by 2 learners
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Ages: 15-18

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