Writing 2: Storylines

I needed a course to fit around my life and OCA provides just that

Level:: 2
Credits:: 60
Length:: 12 months approx.
8hrs per week
Cost:: £580
payment options

Course Overview

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This course explores writing short fiction and develops your awareness of this highly rewarding genre. It contains an introduction to the art of the short story and presents stories and essays by contemporary writers who also discuss their working methods and techniques. As well as writing your own stories you will be exploring the history, structure and conventions of story writing and you will be reading widely in the genre. You will hone your skills in researching, drafting and editing, in presenting your work and in responding to constructive criticism. You will have considerable flexibility in choosing the style and content of your assignments. We advise taking Writing 1: Starting to Write before embarking on this course, but direct entry is possible for more experienced writers.

The evolution of short fiction
Beginnings of the story
The first literature
Northern Europe and Britain
European and classical influences
Beginnings of the modern story
The twentieth century
Publishing and contemporary short fiction
Narrative techniques.

The course aims to explore the structure, form, historical context, limitations and strengths of story writing; support students in drafting and editing stories; develop discrimination in terms of form and technique; encourage wide and critical reading in contemporary and earlier short stories.

Postal tuition

You are allocated a tutor and receive their details in your course pack. You work from the course materials and send regular assignments to your tutor. These are returned to you with comment and advice. The course fee includes tutor feedback on your set assignments, but you can purchase feedback and comment on additional pieces of work if you wish.

Five assignments. Students also maintain a learning log.

For more information on assessment, click here - Assessment booklet - to download the Assessment booklet PDF.