August 1
Introduction to Storytelling
Students will review why we tell stories and what makes a good story. We’ll review examples of famous short stories and discuss how students can successfully apply the elements of craft in their stories. We’ll briefly discuss plot, characters, and craft, but later in the course we’ll go deeper into each topic and also explore dialogue, point of view, and theme.
Idea Generation
Students will brainstorm short story ideas, then choose their favorite one. They’ll turn that idea into a short premise that outlines their protagonist, setting, and conflict. 
Building Strong Characters
Students will learn how to make a dynamic and complex protagonist through brainstorming exercises, mock interviews, and character autobiographies. They will learn about qualities a protagonist must have, such as desires, complexity, contrasting traits, consistency, and the ability to change. They will also develop their antagonists and consider developing secondary characters.
August 2
Plot
Students will learn plot structure, from inciting incident to climax, as well as tips for organizing everything in between. They’ll learn how to add tension and consider different strategies for how to structure their plot. Students will also consider the point of view their stories will be told from and how that will affect the reader’s perception.
August 3
Setting and Description
How does setting and description affect the story? How does the setting affect the mood, characters, plot, and other parts of the story? Students will develop their story settings by exploring advanced literary devices such as alliteration, lyricism, and more. We’ll review how we can use dialogue to show, rather than tell about our setting and other story components. 
Edits & Revision
Students learn and practice three levels of revision: structural revision, line edits, and copy edits. They will learn how each level impacts the writing process, and how to implement feedback. Students will practice giving and receiving constructive and actionable peer reviews.
August 4
Final Drafts
In the final lesson, students will read their short stories for the class and submit to the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2023.
Literary Analysis Development
Students will practice analyzing one another’s writing through their understanding of literary devices and short story structure. Students will also analyze the writing of successful authors then learn how to write responses to literary analysis questions. By the end of this class students will have responses that demonstrate critical analysis and active reading skills.

August 1
Introduction to Storytelling
Students will review why we tell stories and what makes a good story. We’ll review examples of famous short stories and discuss how students can successfully apply the elements of craft in their stories. We’ll briefly discuss plot, characters, and craft, but later in the course we’ll go deeper into each topic and also explore dialogue, point of view, and theme.
Idea Generation
Students will brainstorm short story ideas, then choose their favorite one. They’ll turn that idea into a short premise that outlines their protagonist, setting, and conflict. 
Building Strong Characters
Students will learn how to make a dynamic and complex protagonist through brainstorming exercises, mock interviews, and character autobiographies. They will learn about qualities a protagonist must have, such as desires, complexity, contrasting traits, consistency, and the ability to change. They will also develop their antagonists and consider developing secondary characters.
August 2
Plot
Students will learn plot structure, from inciting incident to climax, as well as tips for organizing everything in between. They’ll learn how to add tension and consider different strategies for how to structure their plot. Students will also consider the point of view their stories will be told from and how that will affect the reader’s perception.
August 3
Setting and Description
How does setting and description affect the story? How does the setting affect the mood, characters, plot, and other parts of the story? Students will develop their story settings by exploring advanced literary devices such as alliteration, lyricism, and more. We’ll review how we can use dialogue to show, rather than tell about our setting and other story components. 
Edits & Revision
Students learn and practice three levels of revision: structural revision, line edits, and copy edits. They will learn how each level impacts the writing process, and how to implement feedback. Students will practice giving and receiving constructive and actionable peer reviews.
August 4
Final Drafts
In the final lesson, students will read their short stories for the class and submit to the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2023.
Literary Analysis Development
Students will practice analyzing one another’s writing through their understanding of literary devices and short story structure. Students will also analyze the writing of successful authors then learn how to write responses to literary analysis questions. By the end of this class students will have responses that demonstrate critical analysis and active reading skills.