Online Class: How to Write a Short Story

Designed for budding writers, this comprehensive short story course sheds light on the common mistakes of compressing novels into stories, guiding participants through each aspect of storytelling from the opening lines to the resolution. With insights into character crafting and plot mechanics, learners transform from avid readers to creators of engaging, tension-driven tales.
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  • 12
    Lessons
  • 28
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 3,478
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 11
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.1
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Crafting Short Stories: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Authors

Short stories, encapsulating entire worlds within a few pages, have enchanted readers for generations. Whether you're an avid reader, a novice writer, or someone looking to expand their literary skills, delving into the world of short story writing can be both thrilling and challenging. This course is meticulously designed to guide budding writers like you through the intricate maze of crafting compelling short stories.

A staggering statistic highlights that more than 60% of aspiring writers abandon their short story aspirations because they can't differentiate between the structures of novels and short stories. Instead of creating impactful short tales, they often end up with condensed versions of longer narratives. Our course is tailored to help you avoid this common pitfall.

Lesson 1: The Differences between a Short Story and a Novel Dive into the nuanced contrasts between these two formats, from length and depth to character development and plot intricacies.

Lesson 2: Starting a Short Story Learn the art of initiation. The starting lines can set the mood, intrigue the reader, and set the foundation for everything that follows.

Lesson 3: Writing a Catchy First Paragraph The first paragraph often determines whether a reader continues or sets the story aside. Uncover techniques to craft a gripping introduction.

Lesson 4: Developing Characters Characters breathe life into your story. Learn to sculpt them with depth, relatability, and authenticity. Explore examples from literature giants like Ernest Hemingway to modern masters like Jhumpa Lahiri.

Lesson 5: Choosing a Point of View and Tense Discover the implications of choosing first-person, third-person, or omniscient viewpoints. Delve into past, present, and future tenses and how they shape narratives.

Lesson 6: Dialogue Conversations can reveal character traits, push the plot forward, and add authenticity. Master the rhythm, pacing, and nuances of crafting engaging dialogues.

Lesson 7: Setting, Context, and Plot From the bustling streets of New York to a quiet village in Tuscany, settings anchor your story in time and place. Understand the importance of backdrop, cultural context, and plot mechanics.

Lesson 8: Conflict and Tension Every gripping story thrives on conflict and tension. Dive into techniques to introduce and escalate tension, keeping readers hooked till the end.

Lesson 9: Building to a Climax The peak of your narrative arc, the climax is where tensions come to a head. Learn to construct a climax that resonates, surprises, and satisfies readers.

Lesson 10: The Resolution After the storm comes the calm. Understand how to wind down your story, offering resolution, reflection, or even a twist.

Lesson 11: Tips for Writing Your Short Stories From combating writer's block to refining your voice, gather essential tips to enhance your writing journey.

By course end, you'll be equipped not only with the theoretical understanding but also the practical skills to pen short stories that captivate, inspire, and resonate. So, if you're ready to transition from a reader to a creator, this course stands as your comprehensive guide. Join us, and let's create literary magic together.

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:
4.53 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(3,640 votes)

Lesson 1. Short Story Writing: Mastery in Economy

A masterful short story captures depth in a raw, concentrated form, conjuring vivid settings and complex characters through minimal description. By juxtaposing novels' thematic flexibility with short stories' succinct engagement, authors can offer multifaceted reflections on human nature. 41 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment: The Short Story
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Review Exam

Lesson 2. Launching Stories: The Art of a Fast Start

A short story is a platform for exploring life's complexity through a limited cast and condensed setting, where the narrative's emotional weight is amplified by a singular problem and nuanced details. By achieving a fast start and maintaining a concentrated plot, writers can create stories that offer a glimpse into human experiences, resonating deeply with readers. 38 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment: Characters
  • Assessment: Lesson 2: Starting a Short Story
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Review Exam

Lesson 3. Unlocking the Door to New Worlds: Mastering the Opening Scene

Creating a captivating opening involves more than just stating facts; it requires a skillful blend of vivid imagery, emotional cues, and curiosity-driven elements that invite readers into the story. A strong beginning hinges on the art of showing rather than telling, making each detail a door to unfolding adventures. 40 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment: Show, Don't Tell
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Review Exam

Lesson 4. Building Characters with Care: The Essential Guide

Building a compelling character requires understanding their intricate traits like appearance, actions, thoughts, and beliefs, which enrich their persona. This depth transforms characters from participants in a story to storytellers themselves, creating an emotional and intellectual connection with the readers. 16 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 4: Developing Characters
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Review Exam

Lesson 5. Narrative Perspectives Explored

Present, past, and future tenses each offer distinct narrative opportunities in storytelling. Mastery of tense, combined with a consistent use of active voice, allows writers to guide readers seamlessly and effectively through their narrative worlds. 40 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment: Simple Tense
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Review Exam

Lesson 6. Unlocking Character Depth Through Dialogue

To create compelling dialogue, writers must differentiate character voices and avoid clich�s, thereby maintaining narrative engagement and authenticity. Achieving this involves employing clarity in formatting and structuring conversations to reveal the emotional nuances of character dynamics and action. 47 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment: Writing Dialogue
  • Assessment: Lesson 6: Dialogue
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Review Exam

Lesson 7. Atmosphere and Emotion: Weaving a Narrative Tapestry

By incorporating relatable elements and subtle context into dialogue, storytellers can seamlessly enrich narratives with setting details. This lesson guides creating engaging settings by blending reality with imagination, evoking personal connections that anchor readers within the story world. 38 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment: What's the plot?
  • Assessment: Lesson 7: Setting, Context, and Plot
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Review Exam

Lesson 8. Conflict in Fiction: Unveiling the Narrative Pulse

Conflict in fiction captivates readers by providing tension and narrative arcs that breathe life into stories. It serves as both a problem and a driving force, transforming characters while engaging readers through various forms such as internal struggles and societal clashes. 43 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment: Conflicts
  • Assessment: Lesson 8: Conflict and Tension
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Review Exam

Lesson 9. Building Drama: The Climax Journey

In storytelling, the climax acts as the fulcrum where narrative threads converge to resolve building tension for a satisfying resolution. By exploring character conflicts and pacing towards their peak, storytellers evoke emotional connections and profound insights for their audience. 40 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignments: The Climax
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Review Exam

Lesson 10. Snippets of Meaning: Crafting Short Story Endings

In storytelling, crafting a resolution means weaving loose ends into a coherent conclusion that resonates with the narrative's emotional truth. Employing techniques like monologue, imagery, or symmetry with the story's beginning ensures an impactful and authentic ending. 19 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Review Exam

Lesson 11. Craft, Create, Connect: The Art of Short Story Writing

Every story deserves a thoughtful revision phase to emphasize its core message while refining characters and plot through meticulous editing and feedback. Recognize when your story is ready by ensuring emotional resonance and cohesion, knowing that perfection is an endless pursuit. 53 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment: Short Story Writing
  • Assessment: Lesson 11: Tips for Writing Your Short Stories
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Review Exam

Lesson 12. Harnessing the Power of Critiques for Writing Excellence

Writers' groups transform the solitary act of writing into a communal journey, offering both camaraderie and constructive criticism. These vibrant communities provide a space for sharing work, gaining diverse insights, and growing as an artist, ultimately enhancing creativity and resilience. 8 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Lesson discussions: What do you think about this course?; Course Comments; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Review Exam
423
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Demonstrate the ability to craft a concise and engaging short story by effectively utilizing narrative techniques such as a singular climax, unified setting, and economical language.
  • Identify the differences in structural elements, pacing, and character development between short stories and novels, and explain how these differences impact storytelling.
  • Demonstrate the ability to develop three-dimensional characters and relate these characters to the narrative's thematic exploration, using appropriate dialogue and action.
  • Define the key components of a well-crafted short story, including the fast start, single setting, and singular problem, by examining provided examples.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how sensory details enhance storytelling by crafting a vivid opening scene that engages multiple senses.
  • Identify the elements of an effective narrative opening by analyzing examples of compelling first sentences in literature.
  • Define and construct dynamic characters by incorporating diverse attributes such as appearance, actions, and beliefs, ensuring consistency and depth throughout the narrative.
  • Demonstrate character development by reflecting personal experiences and challenges in your writing, effectively creating relatable and three-dimensional personas.
  • Apply principles of tense and active voice by creating a short narrative passage using consistent tense and dynamic language to maintain reader engagement
  • Demonstrate understanding of different narrative perspectives by identifying and describing the unique qualities of first, second, and third person points of view in storytelling
  • Demonstrate the ability to craft dialogue that advances the plot and reveals character traits, incorporating unspoken nuances and subtext effectively.
  • Identify the distinct character voices in a provided dialogue, assessing their consistency and contribution to the story's development.
  • Define and describe how atmospheric elements enhance storytelling by creating immersive settings that influence plot and character development.
  • 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: How to Write a Short Story
Course Number: 9770548
Lessons Rating: 4.53 / 5 Stars (3,640 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Accessible from any state in the U.S., this course covers key areas such as California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also offered in English-speaking nations like Australia, Canada, the UK, and South Africa.
Last Updated: January 2024
CEU Value: 1.1 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.
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Classes
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

  • "Excellent course, well-structured and gives one confidence in improving one's craft as a short story writer." -- Aaman L.
  • "I really enjoyed this class, it was very informative and really helped me with understanding short story writing. I didn't think before this class that there was so many different parts to short stories, but it was broken down very well. I think the way the lessons were organized very well and flowed very well in relation to how I would write an actual story. Thanks for a really great class." -- Martin M.
  • "I loved the course, and I am very glad I enrolled in this course. It was very helpful. The instructor was wonderful. Thank you." -- Rebecca M.
  • "i enjoyed the class and learned some new information to help with my short story writing. Thank you." -- Elizabeth S.
  • "I am an aspiring writer, and I have been looking for a condensed course that can guide me through the process of creating a short story. This course answers my questions, and the instructor gives me detailed and effective feedback on my assignments and exams." -- Frances G.
  • "I thought it was extremely helpful and did a good job of describing the key elements of a short story." -- Rebecca D.
  • "I learned a lot from this course and I think that this course was extremely helpful. It was a lot of fun to learn about what makes a short story a short story." -- Sarah G.
  • "This course was scary for me. It was a challenge, and even though I passed, I was full of anxiety, which made it hard for me to focus. You are a fantastic teacher/professor, and I am going to continue taking your courses." -- Betty B.
  • "It was very helpful. I learned a lot of words. I will keep on writing!" -- Samantha S.
  • "It was a very important and helped me learn a lot. Thank you!" -- Omid J.
View More Testimonials...
 

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