Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran of a craft, sometimes it helps to revise the basics. The course will help us define ‘creative writing’ before looking at literary devices such as wordplay and figurative language to boost the poetic quality of our prose. In considering how our language can manipulate the reader both mentally and emotionally, we will go on to observe and practice the arts of descriptive writing and writing action. Finally we will discuss the key facets of storytelling via narrative, character, and setting. This course crams a lot in a short space of time so that we may skim across the surface of the creativity river, get inspired, and soar into new aspirational skies!
Course aim
This short course aims to cover the basics of writing creatively and telling a story so that beginners and improvers may refine their craft.
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
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Give a brief explanation of the definition of 'creative writing'
- Explore, learn and practise further intermediate strategies and skills to writing fiction
- Explore advanced topics, genres and concepts, with examples of authors from those areas
- Produce and share at least one piece of creative writing applying techniques, skills or strategies explored on the course
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
- Most of your learning will take place in your class, but one or two sessions will be online using WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas, working by yourself or engaging with other students. 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
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will be able to keep a record of your progress and achievement using photos, audio, text or documents uploaded into the WEA’s digital learning platform, WEA Canvas.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- 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
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
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- Bring writing materials
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
Download full course information sheet
