This creative writing course will spark your imagination and get words flowing out of your pen. Each week a key component of creative writing will be taught (characterisation, point-of-view, dialogue, ‘show not tell,’ storytelling structure, subtext and more). The student will practise their writing skills through short written exercises during the class. A mentor text, representing a range of genres in prose fiction and non-fiction, will be set each week for reading between the lessons. This course will help you find your writer's voice through writing regularly and getting feedback.
Course aim
This creative writing course will spark your imagination and increase your knowledge of how to write creatively. Topics include characterisation, point-of-view, dialogue, ‘show not tell' and subtext. We will study mentor texts to experiment from.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for improvers
- Students need a level 2 qualification in English to join this course
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- To develop compelling characters through characterisation and studying mentor texts
- To experiment with literary techniques – similes, metaphors, personification, senses and ‘show not tell’
- To find your writing voice through close reading of mentor texts (prose fiction and non-fiction) and experimentation
- To write enough description to move a story forward, deepen theme and tone
- To practise giving and receiving constructive feedback and making revisions accordingly
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- You will be expected to carry out a range of activities in your own time
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
- You will be encouraged to consider other students work and give your opinions and suggestions
- The tutor will provide verbal feedback in class to work shared and written feedback to pieces submitted as homework.
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- All materials will be provided
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- Pre-course reading is required: resources will be made available to you using the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- Materials will be available one week in advance on the Canvas platform.
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
Download full course information sheet
