Unleash your creativity as a writer, while learning the tricks of the trade. You have the freedom to write what you want, but you also gain the discipline of writing craft.
There are no grades, no exams, no wrong answers—just creative writing. Each class is taught by a teacher adept at helping young writers discover and develop their unique voices. The idea is to explore—see with a writer’s eyes, spark ideas to life, gain confidence, and experiment with both fiction and nonfiction.
Better writers produce stronger college applications, and an extracurricular writing class is an impressive addition to any profile. When you know how to express yourself well with words, you’ve got a special power.
This course lets you explore fiction and types of creative nonfiction, and the techniques that go with them.
Course components:
- Lectures
- Writing exercises
Teen classes are for students age 13-17.
Please Note:This course is offered in partnership with Teen Ink, a national magazine written by and for teens. All students receive a free one-year subscription to Teen Ink.
Course Syllabus:Introduction to Creative Writing: The importance of having fun with writing. Exploration of the cornerstones of creative writing—observation, imagination, language.
Show and Tell: Understanding the difference between showing and telling. Techniques for showing—sensory, specificity, scenes.
Individuality: The power of a journal. Writing what you know. Writing what you want to know. Finding your individual voice.
Fiction: The types and forms of fiction. Where to find fiction ideas. The basics of creating a story—characters, plot, point of view.
Nonfiction: Exploration of three types of creative nonfiction writing—memoir, personal essays, narrative nonfiction. Where to find nonfiction ideas.
Getting Better: Good habits. Battling the blank page. Revision. Reading as a writer. Reasons to write.
Content may vary among individual classes.
Important:- Schedule posted is the Start and End date of the class. You may access the class at any time, day or night, within the schedule provided. Please see Online Class Delivery for more details.
- Registrants will receive email instructions and information on how to access the online classroom.
This course is available for "remote" learning and will be available to anyone with access to an internet device with a microphone (this includes most models of computers, tablets). Classes will take place with a "Live" instructor at the date/times listed below.
Upon registration, the instructor will send along additional information about how to log-on and participate in the class.