About this course: In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to the techniques that masters of fiction use to ground a story in a concrete world. From the most realist settings to the most fantastical, writers will learn how to describe the physical world in sharp, sensory detail. We will also learn how to build credibility through research, and to use creative meditation exercises to deepen our own understanding of our story worlds, so that our readers can see all that we imagine.
Created by: Wesleyan University
Taught by: Amity Gaige, Visiting Scholar in Creative Writing
| Basic Info | Course 3 of 5 in the Creative Writing Specialization |
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 1-3 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Persuasive Settings: Why Description Matters
Writing a great short story is like conveying a dream. As we will see from studying one famous master, a "persuasive" setting is necessary in order to build mood, character, and even plot.
7 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Why Do We Write?
- Reading: "The Power of Persuasion" by Mario Vargas Llosa
- Video: The Power of Persuasion
- Video: Moving Through Time and Space
- Reading: "The Odour of Chrysanthemums" by D.H. Lawrence
- Video: Nothing Can Happen Nowhere
- Video: Shop Talk with Brando Skyhorse
- Reading: A Note on Assignments
- Video: Feedback Expectations for the Specialization
- Video: Assignment Overview: Slow-Motion Moment
- Reading: Promo Codes
Graded: Slow Motion Moment
WEEK 2
If You Build It, They Will Come
Pack your fiction with "vitamin-rich" detail. Looking at the work of both masters and students, we will discuss how funny, meaningful, and powerful details can be.
4 videos, 3 readings
- Video: What Is Significant Detail?
- Video: "Things That Suck"
- Reading: Text of "How to Write About Africa" by Binyavanga Wainaina
- Reading: "How to Become a Writer" by Lorrie Moore
- Reading: "Forever Overhead" by David Foster Wallace
- Video: Shop Talk with Salvatore Scibona
- Video: Assignment Overview: Habitual Ritual
Graded: Habitual Ritual
WEEK 3
Credibility and Research
Create settings both familiar and unfamiliar to you, while avoiding common missteps. You will be guided through several meditation exercises as you practice "imaginative research".
4 videos
- Video: Three Phases of Research
- Video: Meditation Exercise
- Video: Shop Talk with Amy Bloom
- Video: Assignment Overview: Strange Lands
Graded: Strange Lands
WEEK 4
Realities
Setting and description works in realist and non-realist fiction, as well as across literary genres. Consider how to write about your own "primal landscape".
4 videos
- Video: Looking at a Student Example
- Video: What Is Genre? (including Shop Talk with Amy Bloom on Noir Fiction)
- Video: Visiting Writer: Historical Fiction with Valerie Martin
- Video: Assignment Overview: Primal Landscapes
Graded: Primal Landscapes
FAQs
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Coursework
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Creators
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.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
excellent
I liked the course very much. It was very useful to give some insights on the importance of description not only to "paint the picture", but to help tell the story. I like it!
I learned a lot
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Immensely enjoyed this course and how it is presented. Thank you.