writing the short story

Posts on Thursday (Grades 4-8)

Course Objective: To provide an introduction to the 5 elements of story creation as a starting point for both writing a short story and improving comprehension of classic short stories.

Course Description: Students will learn the 5 elements of story creation by learning techniques, reading examples, and practicing their new skills. The elements of successful story writing will be broken down into manageable units including characterization, setting, plot, dialogue, and more! By understanding how a short story is constructed, students will become more proficient in their reading and writing skills as they write their very own short story.

$175

Syllabus:

Week 1: Deconstructing a story into primary elements

Snow White and Rose Red by the Brothers Grimm

Week 2: Setting – understanding imagery and descriptive language

The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen

Week 3: Characterization – sympathetic vs unsympathetic characters & traits

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Weeks 4/5: Plot – Freytag’s Pyramid: Exposition, Rising/Falling Action, Climax, Resolution

City Mouse & the Country Mouse Aesop Fable & The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde

Week 6: Dialogue – direct vs indirect dialogue, tags, and punctuation

Tom Thumb by Richard Johnson

Week 7: Titles and transitions

The Gift of the Magi by O.Henry

Week 8: Common grammar errors and proofreading

Winnie the Pooh Goes Visiting by A.A. Milne