Acerca de este curso: In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to perhaps the most elemental and often the most challenging element of story: plot. We will learn what keeps it moving, how it manipulates our feelings, expectations, and desires. We will examine the choices storytellers make to snag our imaginations, drag them into a fictional world, and keep them there. We will learn how to outline and structure a plot, discuss narrative arc, pacing and reversals and reveal the inevitable surprise: connecting the beginning, middle and end.
Creada por: Wesleyan University
Enseñado por: Brando Skyhorse, Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing
English
| Información básica | Curso 1 de 5 en Escritura creativa Specialization |
| Compromiso | 4 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week |
| Idioma | English, Subtítulos: French |
| Cómo aprobar | Aprueba todas las tareas calificadas para completar el curso. |
| Calificaciones del usuario |
Programa
SEMANA 1
Plotting a Course
In this module, we'll learn essentials about plot definitions and mechanics. What is plot? How does plot shape a narrative? What makes a strong plot? How is plot different from a story? We'll also discuss how plot works in actual books you're probably familiar with, such as the Harry Potter series, how character and action equals plot, and the five key questions you should ask yourself when creating a dynamic character.
4 videos, 2 lecturas
- Vídeo: How Plot Works in Harry Potter
- Vídeo: Character + Action = Plot
- Материал для самостоятельного изучения: A Note on Assignments
- Vídeo: Feedback Expectations for the Specialization
- Материал для самостоятельного изучения: Promo Codes
Calificado: The Escalator
SEMANA 2
The Power of Structure
In this module we're going to learn what story structure is and how by understanding structure you can learn how to sequence the events in your plot to help maximize your own storytelling abilities.We'll talk about Freytag's pyramid, the five act structure, how that structure can be found in works of classic literature, and have a conversation about how structure and outlines can help organize the stories you want to tell.
3 videos
- Vídeo: ABDCE Structure Examples from Famous Works of Literature
- Vídeo: Visiting Writer: A Conversation with Douglas Martin
Calificado: What's Up, Doc?
SEMANA 3
A Scene in Motion
Scenes are the building blocks of storytelling. But what is a scene? And how does a scene move plot forward? In this module we'll learn about the difference between telling and showing, the five key elements each scene should have, offer some examples of effective scenes, and have a conversation about how setting and description can make a scene come alive.
3 videos
- Vídeo: Examples of Effective Scenes
- Vídeo: Shop Talk with Amity Gaige
Calificado: Show, Don't Tell
SEMANA 4
Cut It Out
This modules deals with the specifics of editing and revising your work. This process of revision starts with the first draft (which will now become your second draft) and continues until the manuscript’s ready to send to an agent. Included here are a twenty-one point checklist on what to do once you have a completed first draft, and conversations about creating characters with strong motivations, and how to define language that gets rewritten vs language that gets cut.
4 videos
- Vídeo: Shop Talk with Amy Bloom
- Vídeo: Shop Talk with Salvatore Scibona
- Vídeo: The 21st Point
Calificado: The Whole Story
Preguntas Frecuentes
Cómo funciona
Задания курса
Каждый курс — это интерактивный учебник, который содержит видеоматериалы, тесты и проекты.
Помощь сокурсников
Общайтесь с тысячами других учащихся: обсуждайте идеи, материалы курса и помогайте друг другу осваивать новые понятия.
Сертификаты
Получите документы о прохождении курсов и поделитесь своим успехом с друзьями, коллегами и работодателями.
Creadores
Wesleyan University
At Wesleyan, distinguished scholar-teachers work closely with students, taking advantage of fluidity among disciplines to explore the world with a variety of tools. The university seeks to build a diverse, energetic community of students, faculty, and staff who think critically and creatively and who value independence of mind and generosity of spirit.
Tarifa
| Comprar curso | |
|---|---|
| Accede a los materiales del curso | Disponible |
| Accede a los materiales con calificación | Disponible |
| Recibe una calificación final | Disponible |
| Obtén un Certificado de curso para compartir | Disponible |
Calificaciones y revisiones
The course is precisely designed and gives ample amount of information regarding the plot. This course has given me enough details about the plot and its structure in detail with different types and methods, that I can now write my own novel about which I was procrastinating a lot.
This section gave me a whole new perspective on plot structure. The lectures and discussions were to the point and definitely increased my passion for writing all the more.
Thanks for this initiation.
I have been been benefited
thank you
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I really liked the writing exercises...they were a good challenge and the peer review was a great feature....I didn't find the videos extremely helpful though. There were a couple good ideas in them, but overall not too interesting for an experienced writer.