Online Class: Creative Writing for Beginners

This creative writing course is designed to teach you the tools and mechanics of creative writing as well as provide exercises, ideas, and strategies for thinking more creatively in your writing.
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$120.00 (with CEU Certificate)
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  • 15
    Lessons
  • 32
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 6,034
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 14
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.4
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Unleash Your Inner Wordsmith: A Journey into the Heart of Creative Writing

In a world punctuated by visual and auditory marvels, the eloquence of words remains timeless. Just as an artist delicately strokes the canvas and a sculptor molds life into clay, a writer weaves dreams and realities on the blank slate of paper. And in this digital age, the dance of fingers over a keyboard becomes a symphony of creativity. Our comprehensive course is a sanctuary for both budding and seasoned writers, serving as the compass to navigate the boundless seas of creative writing.

Why This Course Resonates:

  • Diverse Palette: Dive deep into the myriad realms of fiction, poetry, screenplays, and immersive nonfiction.

  • Foundations & Flourishes: Whether you're penning your first word or your thousandth page, master the basics and nuances that make your writing resonate.

  • A World of Forms: Understand the quintessence of diverse writing styles, from captivating memoirs and revealing biographies to incisive articles for newspapers and dynamic blogs.

  • Break the Shackles: Battle and conquer the daunting demon of writer's block, ensuring your creativity flows unhindered.

  • From Creation to Celebration: Not only nurture your creation but also learn the art of showcasing it to the world, understanding the avenues to get your masterpiece recognized and published.

Course Highlights:

  • 15 Engaging Lessons: Each lesson, a stepping stone, builds upon the last, ensuring a holistic grasp of creative writing.

  • Hands-On Exercises: Post-lesson exercises designed to solidify your understanding and hone your skills.

  • Innovative Assignments: Fuel your creativity with tailored writing assignments that ignite inspiration and set your imagination aflame.

This course isn't just an introduction; it's an odyssey into the enchanting universe of creative writing. It celebrates the spirit of expression, empowering even the greenest novices to seamlessly translate their thoughts into words. So, whether you're scribbling in hidden notebooks or longing to ink your thoughts for the first time, this course promises to be the wind beneath your literary wings.

Join us, and be astounded by the symphony of words you can orchestrate. Embark on this journey, and etch your own legacy in the annals of creative writing!

Courses Frequently Bought Together:
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.46 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(4,752 votes)

Lesson 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

36 Points
This course teaches you the basics, and gives you the skill sets you need to start creating your written works of art. Additional lesson topics: What Is Creative Writing?
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Writing; Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam

Lesson 2: Exploring Creative Writing

35 Points
People write for many reasons.Some write for their own personal enjoyment. Others write as gifts to others.
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam

Lesson 3: Secrets of Creative Writing

35 Points
When you learn to use the tools that professional writers use, you truly master creative writing. Additional lesson topics: Clauses
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam

Lesson 4: Elements of Short Story and Fiction Writing

35 Points
In this lesson you'll learn components you need to write a narrative.
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam

Lesson 5: Dialogue

35 Points
Dialogue is defined as a conversation between two or more characters or people. Additional lesson topics: Stories told in dialogue; Writing Dialogue
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam

Lesson 6: Point of View

35 Points
The point of view that you choose in your writing will depend on what you want to accomplish, your story itself, and how much influence you want a character to have over each scene. Additional lesson topics: Point of View; Point of View for Short Stories
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Point of View
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam

Lesson 7: Writing Nonfiction

35 Points
In this lesson, we're going to focus on the three types of nonfiction that appeal to most creative writers. Additional lesson topics: 10 Tips for Nonfiction Writers
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam

Lesson 8: Writing Poetry

34 Points
Poetry is a beautiful art, and it's an art that you're going to learn about in this lesson. Additional lesson topics: Writing Poetry
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9: Writing Articles, Blogs, and Journalistic Pieces

34 Points
What you learn in this lesson can be used to write articles for article banks, blogs, or newspapers, both online and off. Additional lesson topics: Effective Internet Article Writing
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10: Writing Dramas, Scripts, and Screenplays

34 Points
Writers who write dramas are often called screenwriters, and sometimes scriptwriters, because the words they write will often be acted out on stage, instead of just read from a book. Additional lesson topics: How to Write a Movie; How to Write a Play
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam

Lesson 11: The Importance of Editing

35 Points
Editing is the process of arranging, revising, and preparing work for publication. Additional lesson topics: Rewriting and Editing
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam

Lesson 12: Overcoming Writer's Block

35 Points
Writer's block is a phrase that's used when someone who wants to write can't. Additional lesson topics: Stephen King's Tips; Tips for Overcoming Writer's Block
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Writer's Block
  • Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam

Lesson 13: Unlocking Your Creativity

35 Points
This lesson is full of creative writing prompts you can use to unlock your creativity to produce ideas, then flesh them out once you come up with them. Additional lesson topics: Creative Writing Prompts; Several Creative Writing Prompts; Submissions
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam

Lesson 14: Resources for Writers

35 Points
Most people who write on a regular basis want to publish their work.
  • Lesson 14 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15: Publishing Your Writing

106 Points
You're going to learn the various ways you can build a name for yourself and publish your work, as well as the best ways to make money from your writing. Additional lesson topics: 7 Publishing Tips
  • Lesson 15 Video
  • Lesson discussions: What do you think about this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
594
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Describe the creative writing process.
  • Define elements of short story and fiction writing.
  • Demonstrate dialogue.
  • Demonstrate point of view.
  • Demonstrate writing nonfiction.
  • Demonstrate writing poetry.
  • Demonstrate writing articles, blogs, and journalistic pieces.
  • Demonstrate writing dramas, scripts, and screenplays.
  • Describe the importance of editing.
  • Describe techniques overcoming writer's block.
  • Recognize new ways to unlock your creativity.
  • Describe ways to publish your writing.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Creative Writing for Beginners
Course Number: 9770561
Lessons Rating: 4.46 / 5 Stars (4,752 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Enroll in this course from any U.S. state, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also accessible to learners in English-speaking countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa.
Last Updated: May 2024
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 1.4 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: Dana Kristan
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "I have a B.A. in Creative Writing and let me tell you, this course was both incredibly helpful and very fun. I have honestly learned more from this course than most of my college classes. The assignments were engaging and immensely helpful. I went in thinking this course would be a refresher for me, but I am genuinely blown away by just how much I have learned." -- Kaitlyn W.
  • "This course was helpful for me. I learned a considerable amount about writing in general as well as gaining insight into the creative aspect. I thoroughly enjoyed every assignment, in particular, that they were assessed, marked, and issued with comments. The turnaround time for the assessments provided was exceptional. I was encouraged by the regularly updated grading and having a report card for reference. The course content provided me with what I was wanting and more. Recommending your course will be a pleasure for me and I will take on another in the, not too distant future. Many Thanks." -- Peter P.
  • "I found this course very helpful. I learnt a lot about the different types of writing and which forms/genres I hope to pursue. The writing prompt exercises were especially helpful, as they are a good practice to keep yourself writing when you can't think of any original ideas yourself." -- Lisa K.
  • "I really enjoyed this course! I have loved writing my whole life, but I still learned a lot about different writing techniques and styles. I loved receiving the positive feedback from my tutor too. I found some of the writing assignments appropriately challenging and they forced me to put into action what I was being taught...Thank you for all of the work that went into creating this course!" -- Michaela D.
  • "It really helped with positive feedback from the instructor and her quick response to my assignments." -- Deborah D.
  • "Thank you so much, I feel like I've gained a lot from this course. I definitely consider it a great starting point for me to build upon and hone my craft further. Thank you, and you'll most likely see me in another writing course soon." -- Michele C.
  • "I really enjoyed doing this course and the help and advice from the instructor." -- Tammy P.
  • "The instructor was very fair and very timely in getting my assignments/exams back." -- Mary lee S.
  • "The instructor is a blessing and was so encouraging." -- Daphne B.
  • "The instructor was extremely prompt in grading assignments and provided valuable feedback." -- Randy E.

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