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Aquinas Writing Advantage

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Authoring a Book, Part One

11-6

Advanced Fiction Writing:

Authoring a Book, Part One --
How It Works, What it Takes,
And How to Succeed

Suggested Grade Level: 8th to 12th grade

Do you want to publish a book? Get your need-to-know essentials here, for how to be an author -- as you learn what professional authors do every day, what goes into a manuscript, how to write a query letter, what you need to know about agents and publishers, and more…

Your Course Description

Learn what it takes to be an author — from personal practices to how to approach the publishing world and contact professionals in the industry. You’ll focus on the personal practices of successful writers, what’s important in creating a manuscript and query letter, why authors develop a “platform,” how to market and use the Internet to help your book get to its readers, and what you need to know about agents, publishers, and self publishers to be a published author. The course will also discuss what it’s like to be a Catholic author today.

Your Course Outline

Class 1: Personal practices of successful writers
Class 2: The manuscript and query
Class 3: The platform, marketing, and the Internet
Class 4: Agents, publishers, and self publishing

Your Course Details

Total Number of Classes: Four (4)
Prerequisites: None
Required Materials:

Document Creation
All documents are turned in as Microsoft Word documents. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.

Suggested Credit: One-third (⅓) semester Creative Writing or English. Add other writing or literature courses for a full semester credit.

How this course fits with your other High School Writing Excellence courses...

Fall Semester Spring Semester
ACADEMIC WRITING
X-5 Punctuation/Grammar IICOLL-1 Mastering College Essay Writing
ADVANCED FICTION WRITING & LITERARY FORM
X-9 Hero's Journey, Part 1X-10 Hero's Journey, Part 2
X-11 Screenwriting, Part 1X-12 Screenwriting, Part 2
11-6 Authoring a Book, Part 111-8 Authoring a Book, Part 2
11-7 Writing the Short Story X-19 SF/Fantasy Short Story
X-15 Fiction Writing WorkshopX-16 Screenwriting Workshop
CREATIVE WRITING: EXPRESSIVE & POETIC FORMS
X-17 Comedy Writing, Part 1X-18 Comedy Writing, Part 2
X-13 Intro to PoetryX-14 Poetry: Joining the Great Tradition
BUSINESS WRITING
11-9 Pro Business Writing Essentials11-10 Foundations of Journalism
* This course is the first part of the Authoring a Book series (two Advanced Fiction Writing “short courses”).
** The Authoring a Book Part 2 course follows Part 1 and is not required; however, those who are serious about submitting their work to an agent or publisher will highly benefit from Part 2, as the workshop-style course allows you to create submission-ready query materials. If this is you, sign up for both courses.

Your Instructor

LIVE, INTERACTIVE COURSES

This course is occasionally taught in a LIVE, in-person format. Check the LIVE Course Catalog to find out if a LIVE course is offered in your upcoming semester. The LIVE course is taught by Ms. Robin Conley, MFA.

RECORDED, INDEPENDENT-LEARNING COURSE

When you sign up for Unlimited Access and take this recorded course, your instructor is the designer and Director of Aquinas Writing Advantage, Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA (aka author EB Conroy/Erin Brown Conroy).

Two Sign Up Options (Choose One)

1. UNLIMITED ACCESS: RECORDED, INDEPENDENT-LEARNING COURSE

When you take the Recorded course, you will independently view the recorded video lesson and complete the coursework in the learning management system. The homework’s weekly quizzes are graded automatically by the computer for instant feedback, and parents grade all other work. There is an estimated one to three hours of homework/coursework per week outside of watching the weekly video lecture.

When you get “Unlimited Access,” you get 24/7 access to ALL of the writing courses — AND access to 400+ middle and high school courses, in all subject areas, for only $34.97 a month.

SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS HERE, TO GET THIS COURSE

2. UNLIMITED ACCESS WITH INSTRUCTOR ACCESS GRADING SERVICES

Instructor Access is an optional service, for an additional fee, that accompanies Unlimited Access. When you sign up for one-on-one tutoring with Instructor Access, in addition to the weekly quizzes that are graded automatically by the computer for instant feedback, the Instructor Access instructor grades the work, gives feedback for improvement, and is available during the week for one-on-one help via email. There is an estimated one to three hours per week for homework for your student outside of watching the video lecture. If you’d like Instructor Access, once you sign up for Unlimited Access, you’ll receive email instructions on how to sign up.

When you get “Unlimited Access,” you get 24/7 access to ALL of the writing courses — AND access to 400+ middle and high school courses, in all subject areas, for only $34.97 a month.

SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS HERE

Specific Course FAQs

Is this course required?

This course is a Writing Excellence course and is an “above and beyond” course from the FOUNDATIONS-DEVELOPMENT-ADVANCED series of 9-12th grade courses. If you’re thinking that you may want to be a published author, then this course is for you.

Who should take the Authoring a Book courses?

For creatives who dream of being a published children’s book author, middle grade author, young adult author, or novel writer of any kind, these courses are essential — a lifeline to professional foundations and secrets to success. Taught by authors with terminal degrees in Creative Writing/Genre Fiction, this course is designed especially for the student who wants to pursue any part of the creative storytelling industry. Students who have taken this course are now published authors. 

Can I take another writing course at the same time?

Yes! With the shorter, single-area courses here at Aquinas Writing Advantage, many students take two separate writing courses during a semester.

Courses that “fit well” with this course include the foundational fiction courses, advanced fiction courses (The Hero’s Journey, Screenwriting, Comedy Writing, and Poetry), the High School Punctuation and Grammar 2 course (to ensure strong punctuation and grammar skills), Journalism, and Business Writing. Students planning on moving directly to a career or vocational training will benefit from the Business Writing course. This course can also be taken with any foundational high school course beyond the 9-Series courses.

Is this course considered an English, Writing, or Literature Analysis course?

This course is considered an advanced English and Writing course.

Sign up for a LIVE class here...
SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS TO GET THIS COURSE…

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Authoring a Book, Part Two

11-8

Advanced Fiction Writing:

Authoring a Book, Part Two --
Perfecting your Query Letter
And Synopsis Workshop

Suggested Grade Level: 8th to 12th grade

Learn how to get your work noticed by perfecting your Query Letter & Synopsis with this recorded workshop -- and get what you need to be ready to submit your book to an agent or publisher now…

Your Course Description

In this advanced writing and editing course, you’ll get specific time and focus that allows you to create the must-have documents needed to submit your written work to an agent and/or publisher, to publish your fiction book. If you’re taking the recorded course with Instructor Access, you’ll bring your query letter and synopsis that was created in Authoring a Book, Part 1, course. The LIVE class recordings include workshopping — so watching the recorded version of the course, you can use the student and Instructor comments to check over and polish your own work. Through the workshopping process, you can get your book’s documents submissions-ready!

Your Course Outline

Class 1: Analyzing excellent query letters
Class 2: Workshopping query letters
Class 3: Analyzing excellent synopses
Class 4: Workshopping synopses

Your Course Details

Total Number of Classes: Four (4)
Prerequisites: Authoring a Book I (live or recorded)
Required Materials:

Document Creation
All documents are turned in as Microsoft Word documents. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.

Suggested Credit: One-third (⅓) semester Creative Writing or English. Add other writing or literature courses for a full semester credit.

How this course fits with your other High School Writing Excellence courses...

Fall Semester Spring Semester
ACADEMIC WRITING
X-5 Punctuation/Grammar IICOLL-1 Mastering College Essay Writing
ADVANCED FICTION WRITING & LITERARY FORM
X-9 Hero's Journey, Part 1X-10 Hero's Journey, Part 2
X-11 Screenwriting, Part 1X-12 Screenwriting, Part 2
11-6 Authoring a Book, Part 111-8 Authoring a Book, Part 2
11-7 Writing the Short Story X-19 SF/Fantasy Short Story
X-15 Fiction Writing WorkshopX-16 Screenwriting Workshop
CREATIVE WRITING: EXPRESSIVE & POETIC FORMS
X-17 Comedy Writing, Part 1X-18 Comedy Writing, Part 2
X-13 Intro to PoetryX-14 Poetry: Joining the Great Tradition
BUSINESS WRITING
11-9 Pro Business Writing Essentials11-10 Foundations of Journalism
* This course is the second part of the Authoring a Book series (two Advanced Fiction Writing “short courses”).
** The Authoring a Book Part 2 course follows Part 1 and is not required; however, to those who are serious about submitting their work to an agent or publisher, Part 2 allows you to create submission-ready query materials. If this is you, sign up for both courses.

Your Instructor

RECORDED, INDEPENDENT-LEARNING COURSE

When you sign up for Unlimited Access and take this recorded course, your instructor is the designer and Director of Aquinas Writing Advantage, Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA (aka author EB Conroy/Erin Brown Conroy). Instructor Access grading services are available with Ms. Robin Conley, MFA.

Two Sign Up Options (Choose One)

1. UNLIMITED ACCESS: RECORDED, INDEPENDENT-LEARNING COURSE

When you take the Recorded course, you will independently view the recorded video lesson and complete the coursework in the learning management system. The homework’s weekly quizzes are graded automatically by the computer for instant feedback, and parents grade all other work. There is an estimated one to three hours of homework/coursework per week outside of watching the weekly video lecture.

When you get “Unlimited Access,” you get 24/7 access to ALL of the writing courses — AND access to 400+ middle and high school courses, in all subject areas, for only $34.97 a month.

SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS HERE, TO GET THIS COURSE

2. UNLIMITED ACCESS WITH INSTRUCTOR ACCESS GRADING SERVICES

Instructor Access is an optional service, for an additional fee, that accompanies Unlimited Access. When you sign up for one-on-one tutoring with Instructor Access, in addition to the weekly quizzes that are graded automatically by the computer for instant feedback, the Instructor Access instructor grades the work, gives feedback for improvement, and is available during the week for one-on-one help via email. There is an estimated one to three hours per week for homework for your student outside of watching the video lecture. If you’d like Instructor Access, once you sign up for Unlimited Access, you’ll receive email instructions on how to sign up.

When you get “Unlimited Access,” you get 24/7 access to ALL of the writing courses — AND access to 400+ middle and high school courses, in all subject areas, for only $34.97 a month.

SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS HERE TO GET THE COURSE

Specific Course FAQs

Is this course required?

This course is a Writing Excellence course and is an “above and beyond” course from the FOUNDATIONS-DEVELOPMENT-ADVANCED series of 9-12th grade courses. If you’re thinking that you may want to be a published author — and you have a completed book (or one that’s close to completion) — then this course is for you.

Who should take the Authoring a Book courses?

For creatives who dream of being a published children’s book author, middle grade author, young adult author, or novel writer of any kind, these courses are essential — a lifeline to professional foundations and secrets to success. Taught by authors with terminal degrees in Creative Writing/Genre Fiction, this course is designed especially for the student who wants to pursue any part of the creative storytelling industry. Students who have taken this course are now published authors. 

Can I take another writing course at the same time?

Yes! With the shorter, single-area courses here at Aquinas Writing Advantage, many students take two separate writing courses during a semester.

Courses that “fit well” with this course include the foundational fiction courses, advanced fiction courses (The Hero’s Journey, Screenwriting, Comedy Writing, and Poetry), the High School Punctuation and Grammar 2 course (to ensure strong punctuation and grammar skills), Journalism, and Business Writing. Students planning on moving directly to a career or vocational training will benefit from the Business Writing course. This course can also be taken with any foundational high school course beyond the 9-Series courses.

Is this course considered an English, Writing, or Literature Analysis course?

This course is considered an advanced English and Writing course.

SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS TO GET THIS COURSE…

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Fiction Writing Workshop

X-15

Advanced Fiction Writing:

Fiction Writing Workshop --
Mastering the Art of Revising
Your Writing

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Strengthen your fiction writing with a professional editor and other writers when you join this dynamic, hands-on workshopping course to make your story the best it can be. This is the second of two workshops, and because you can work with unique content in both courses, students are welcome to join both!

Your Course Description

This workshop is an opportunity for writers who have a piece of fiction writing that they want to share to receive feedback from a professional editor/instructor and peers. Students wishing to take the workshop course will need 8 to 10 pages of an original story already created by the first day of the course. Each class, students receive a mini-lesson on an aspect of excellent story writing, and then the students and professional editor/instructor heavily analyze the student story submissions. Through in-class discussion of the stories together, detailed feedback is given to help improve writing skills and strengthen the story. Students are expected to submit a piece of their own work for feedback and provide/engage in feedback for others’ works. Each author is required to take notes as their story is discussed, listening intently. At the end of all feedback, there is a chance for the authors to respond to anything said during the critique and ask questions.

The most important consideration and requirement for all students taking this course is to be constructive when giving feedback, and to keep an open mind toward feedback that is received. After each class session, your instructor will have a short meeting with the one or two students whose work was read that day to check in and personally go over the feedback with the student(s).

In Recorded format, students will work individually to revise their stories using guided exercises to help them analyze their writing and improve it. Instructor Access is available for Recorded students who wish to receive feedback from the Instructor.

Your Course Outline*

Class 1: Discussion – How to Give Feedback; Critiquing – Sample Story
Class 2: Discussion – Character; Critiquing — Student Stories
Class 3: Discussion – Dialogue; Critiquing — Student Stories
Class 4: Discussion – Plot; Critiquing — Student Stories
Class 5: Discussion – Setting & Tone; Critiquing — Student Stories
Class 6: Discussion – Good Writing Practices; Critiquing — Student Stories
Class 7: Discussion – What does it take to be a writer? Critiquing – Student Stories
Class 8: Discussion – What to do now and how to revise? Critiquing – Student Stories

*Note: The recorded version of this course in Unlimited Access is six (6) weeks in length and does not include Class 6 and Class 7 discussions (that are in the LIVE course).

Your Course Details

Total Number of Classes: Eight (8)
Prerequisites: None, but some experience with fiction writing preferred. Students must have an 8-10 page original piece of fiction writing to submit for class.
Required Materials:

1) Document Creation
All documents are turned in as Microsoft Word documents. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.
2) Workshop Submission Piece
For the LIVE class, students must submit their Workshop Piece to Instructor Conley’s email ([email protected]) one week prior to the class start date. Recorded Course students do not need to submit their story unless taking Instructor Access.
Workshop Piece Requirements:
Students bring 8-12 pages of original fiction writing in a Word doc – rtf, .doc, or .docx format; the writing must be the student’s original work and can be an excerpt from a longer novel or a short story, as long as the text meets the length and formatting requirements. Student work is required to be labeled with the student’s name, the class name, and the story’s title or “Workshop Piece” (if the work doesn’t have a title yet). Document submissions are made no later than one week prior to the class start date.

Suggested Credit: One-half (1/2) semester of writing and English or literature and writing.

How this course fits with your other High School Writing Excellence courses...

Fall Semester Spring Semester
ACADEMIC WRITING
X-5 Punctuation/Grammar IICOLL-1 Mastering College Essay Writing
ADVANCED FICTION WRITING & LITERARY FORM
X-9 Hero's Journey, Part 1X-10 Hero's Journey, Part 2
X-11 Screenwriting, Part 1X-12 Screenwriting, Part 2
11-6 Authoring a Book, Part 111-8 Authoring a Book, Part 2
11-7 Writing the Short Story X-19 SF/Fantasy Short Story
X-15 Fiction Writing WorkshopX-16 Screenwriting Workshop
CREATIVE WRITING: EXPRESSIVE & POETIC FORMS
X-17 Comedy Writing, Part 1X-18 Comedy Writing, Part 2
X-13 Intro to PoetryX-14 Poetry: Joining the Great Tradition
BUSINESS WRITING
11-9 Pro Business Writing Essentials11-10 Foundations of Journalism
* Students may sign up for multiple workshop courses.

Your Instructor

LIVE, INTERACTIVE COURSES

This course is available for multiple sessions in the Spring and Summer of each year. Sign up for the time that best meets your needs. Sign up for a LIVE workshop here with the professional editor, instructor, and creator of the course.

RECORDED, INDEPENDENT-LEARNING COURSE

When you sign up for Unlimited Access and take this recorded course, your instructor is the creator of the course.

Three Sign Up Options (Choose One)

1. LIVE, INTERACTIVE COURSE

Students attend a LIVE class in a virtual classroom on a specific day, at a specific time. After class (during the week), the student independently completes the coursework. Your instructor gives feedback on assignments and grades student work; the instructor is available for communication outside of class via email, to help answer questions. Homework time outside of class is estimated to be one to three hours per week, depending on your student’s skills.

SIGN UP FOR A LIVE COURSE HERE

2. UNLIMITED ACCESS: RECORDED, INDEPENDENT-LEARNING COURSE

When you take the Recorded course, you will independently view the recorded video lesson and complete the coursework in the learning management system. Grading guides are provided, but parents grade all work. There is an estimated one to three hours of homework/coursework per week outside of watching the weekly video lecture.

When you get “Unlimited Access,” you get 24/7 access to ALL of the writing courses — AND access to 400+ middle and high school courses, in all subject areas, for only $34.97 a month.

Sign up for Unlimited Access here to get this course

3. UNLIMITED ACCESS WITH INSTRUCTOR ACCESS GRADING SERVICES

Instructor Access is an optional service, for an additional fee, that accompanies Unlimited Access. When you sign up for one-on-one tutoring with Instructor Access, the Instructor Access instructor grades the work, gives feedback for improvement, and is available during the week for one-on-one help via email. There is an estimated one to three hours per week for homework for your student outside of watching the video lecture. If you’d like Instructor Access, once you sign up for Unlimited Access, you’ll receive email instructions on how to sign up.

When you get “Unlimited Access,” you get 24/7 access to ALL of the writing courses — AND access to 400+ middle and high school courses, in all subject areas, for only $34.97 a month.

SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS HERE TO GET THIS COURSE

Specific Course FAQs

Is this course required?

This course is a Writing Excellence course and is an “above and beyond” course from the FOUNDATIONS-DEVELOPMENT-ADVANCED series of 9-12th grade courses. If you’re thinking that you may want to be a published author — and you have completed the number of pages required for this workshop course  — then this course is for you.

Who should take the Workshop courses?

For creatives who dream of being published, these workshopping courses are essential — so you can get meaningful feedback to help your writing improve now. Taught by a professional writer/editor/instructor with a terminal degree in Creative Writing, Genre Fiction and Screenwriting, this course is designed especially for the student who wants to pursue any part of the creative storytelling industry.

Can I take another writing course at the same time?

Yes! With the shorter, single-area courses here at Aquinas Writing Advantage, many students take two separate writing courses during a semester.

Courses that “fit well” with this course include the foundational fiction courses, advanced fiction courses (The Hero’s Journey, Screenwriting, Comedy Writing, and Poetry), the High School Punctuation and Grammar 2 course (to ensure strong punctuation and grammar skills), Journalism, and Business Writing. This course can also be taken with any foundational high school course.

Is this course considered an English, Writing, or Literature Analysis course?

This course is considered an advanced English and Writing course.

Sign up for a LIVE class here...
SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS HERE TO GET THIS COURSE...

By Leave a Comment

Screenwriting Workshop

X-16

Advanced Fiction Writing:

Screenwriting Workshop --
Mastering the Art of Revising
Your Screenwriting

Suggested Grade Level: 8th to 12th grade

Strengthen your screenplay with a professional editor and other screenwriters when you join this dynamic, hands-on workshopping course to make your story the best it can be. This is the second of two workshops, and because you can work with unique content in both, students are welcome to join both!

Your Course Description

This workshop is an opportunity for writers who have a piece of screenwriting that they want to share to receive feedback from a professional editor/instructor and peers. Students wishing to take the workshop course will need 8 to 12 pages of an original screenplay (TV or Movie) already created by the time the course begins. Each class, students receive a mini-lesson on an aspect of excellent story writing, and then the students and professional editor/instructor heavily analyze the student story submissions. Through in-class discussion of the stories together, detailed feedback is given to help improve writing skills and strengthen the story. Students are expected to submit a piece of their own work for feedback and provide/engage in feedback for others’ works. Each author is required to take notes as their story is discussed, listening intently. At the end of all feedback, there is a chance for the authors to respond to anything said during the critique and ask questions.

The most important consideration and requirement for all students taking this course is to be constructive when giving feedback, and to keep an open mind toward feedback that is received. After each class session, your professional editor/instructor will have a short meeting with the one or two students whose work was read that day, to check in and go over feedback.

Your Course Outline

Class 1: Discussion – How to Give Feedback; Critiquing – Sample Story
Class 2: Discussion – Character; Critiquing – Student Stories
Class 3: Discussion – Dialogue; Critiquing – Student Stories
Class 4: Discussion – Plot; Critiquing – Student Stories
Class 5: Discussion – Setting & Tone; Critiquing – Student Stories
Class 6: Discussion – Good Writing Practices; Critiquing – Student Stories
Class 7: Discussion – What does it take to be a writer?; Critiquing – Student Stories
Class 8: Discussion – What to do now and how to revise?; Critiquing – Student Stories

Your Course Details

Total Number of Classes: Eight (8)
Prerequisites: None, but some experience with screenwriting preferred. Students must have an 8-10 page original piece of screenwriting to submit for class.
Required Materials:

1) Document Creation
All documents are turned in as Microsoft Word documents. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.
2) Workshop Submission Piece
Students must submit their Workshop Piece to Instructor Conley’s email ([email protected]) one week prior to the class start date.
Workshop Piece Requirements:
Students bring 8-12 pages of original fiction writing in a PDF screenplay format. If you do not know the standard screenplay format, please email Instructor Conley after you sign up at [email protected]. The writing must be the student’s original work and can be an excerpt from a longer film, short film, or television show, as long as the text meets the length and formatting requirements. Student work is required to be labeled with the student’s name, the class name, and the story’s title or “Workshop Piece” (if the work doesn’t have a title yet). Document submissions are made no later than one week prior to the class start date.

Suggested Credit: One-half (1/2) semester of screenwriting, writing and English or literature and writing.

How this course fits with your other High School Writing Excellence courses...

Fall Semester Spring Semester
ACADEMIC WRITING
X-5 Punctuation/Grammar IICOLL-1 Mastering College Essay Writing
ADVANCED FICTION WRITING & LITERARY FORM
X-9 Hero's Journey, Part 1X-10 Hero's Journey, Part 2
X-11 Screenwriting, Part 1X-12 Screenwriting, Part 2
11-6 Authoring a Book, Part 111-8 Authoring a Book, Part 2
11-7 Writing the Short Story X-19 SF/Fantasy Short Story
X-15 Fiction Writing WorkshopX-16 Screenwriting Workshop
CREATIVE WRITING: EXPRESSIVE & POETIC FORMS
X-17 Comedy Writing, Part 1X-18 Comedy Writing, Part 2
X-13 Intro to PoetryX-14 Poetry: Joining the Great Tradition
BUSINESS WRITING
11-9 Pro Business Writing Essentials11-10 Foundations of Journalism
* Students may sign up for multiple workshop courses.

Your Instructor

LIVE, INTERACTIVE COURSES

This course is available for multiple sessions in the Spring and Summer of each year. Sign up for the time that best meets your needs. Sign up for a LIVE workshop here with the professional editor, instructor, and creator of the course, Robin Conley, MFA.

RECORDED, INDEPENDENT-LEARNING COURSE

This course is not available in Unlimited Access, however, there is a Fiction Writing Workshop available in Unlimited Access that can easily be used to revise screenplays. When you sign up for Unlimited Access and take this recorded course, your instructor is the creator of the course, Robin Conley, MFA.

Three Sign Up Options (Choose One)

1. LIVE, INTERACTIVE COURSE

Students attend a LIVE class in a virtual classroom on a specific day, at a specific time. After class (during the week), the student independently completes the coursework. Your instructor gives feedback on assignments and grades student work; the instructor is available for communication outside of class via email, to help answer questions. Homework time outside of class is estimated to be one to three hours per week, depending on your student’s skills.

SIGN UP FOR THE LIVE COURSE HERE

2. UNLIMITED ACCESS: RECORDED, INDEPENDENT-LEARNING COURSE

When you take the Recorded course, you will independently view the recorded video lesson and complete the coursework in the learning management system. Grading guides are provided, but parents grade all work. There is an estimated one to three hours of homework/coursework per week outside of watching the weekly video lecture.

When you get “Unlimited Access,” you get 24/7 access to ALL of the writing courses — AND access to 400+ middle and high school courses, in all subject areas, for only $34.97 a month.

Sign up for Unlimited Access here to get this course

3. UNLIMITED ACCESS WITH INSTRUCTOR ACCESS GRADING SERVICES

Instructor Access is an optional service, for an additional fee, that accompanies Unlimited Access. When you sign up for one-on-one tutoring with Instructor Access, the Instructor Access instructor grades the work, gives feedback for improvement, and is available during the week for one-on-one help via email. There is an estimated one to three hoursper week for homework for your student outside of watching the video lecture. If you’d like Instructor Access, once you sign up for Unlimited Access, you’ll receive email instructions on how to sign up.

When you get “Unlimited Access,” you get 24/7 access to ALL of the writing courses — AND access to 400+ middle and high school courses, in all subject areas, for only $34.97 a month.

SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS HERE TO GET THIS COURSE

Specific Course FAQs

Is this course required?

This course is a Writing Excellence course and is an “above and beyond” course from the FOUNDATIONS-DEVELOPMENT-ADVANCED series of 9-12th grade courses. Most of the principles for screenwriting apply to noble writing, so if you’re thinking that you may want to be a published screenwriter or book author, then this course is for you.

Who should take the Workshop courses?

For creatives who dream of being published or want to see their works on film or television, these workshopping courses are essential — so you can get meaningful feedback to help your writing improve now. Taught by a professional writer/editor/instructor with a terminal degree in Creative Writing, Genre Fiction and Screenwriting, this course is designed especially for the student who wants to pursue any part of the creative storytelling industry.

Can I take another writing course at the same time?

Yes! With the shorter, single-area courses here at Aquinas Writing Advantage, many students take two separate writing courses during a semester.

Courses that “fit well” with this course include the foundational fiction courses, advanced fiction courses (Screenwriting, The Hero’s Journey, 11-Series Fiction Writing and Literary Form courses, Fiction Writing Workshops, Comedy Writing, and Poetry), the High School Punctuation and Grammar 2 course (to ensure strong punctuation and grammar skills), Journalism, and Business Writing. This course can also be taken with any foundational high school course.

Is this course considered an English, Writing, or Literature Analysis course?

This course is considered an advanced English and Writing course.

Sign up for a LIVE class here...
SIGN UP FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS HERE TO GET THIS COURSE...

By Leave a Comment

Comedy Writing, Part One

X-17

Comedy Writing:

Comedy and Humor
In Literature and Life,
Part One

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Learn the styles of writing for comedy in all of its forms -- comedy in literature, sketches, standup, and more -- and through practice, hone your writing skills with this unique and critical style that allows you to powerfully connect with readers...

Your Course Description

Why do we enjoy comedy? Why is laughter so much fun? And how does comedy and literature relate to life in general — and your success as a writer? Through in-class learning and practical writing exercises each week, discover the joy of writing with comedy in all of its forms — including literature, short and sketch comedy, stand up, and how-to forms (satire, puns, wit, and more) that can be used in both nonfiction and fiction. If you want to expand your writing skills in an enjoyable, practical course (with English, literature, and writing credit), then this is the course for you!

Your Course Outline

Class 1: “What is Comedy?” / Your Sense of Humor as a Gift from God / What Makes Something Funny? / Comedy and Humor in Writing vs. Speaking (“Is there a Difference?”)
Class 2: “Where is Comedy?” Using Comedy in Literature, Story, and Online Writing, and More; Famous American Humorists: Literary Giants, from Mark Twain to the Present
Class 3: “Short Comedy” and Comedy as Laughter: Jokes, Puns, Wit, and Wry Humor
Class 4: “What is Satire?” The Biting Edge of Comedy’s Sword
Class 5: Comedy Writing in Plays, Novels, and Stories; Examples of Comedy from Famous Works
Class 6: Sketch Comedy: What it Is, How it Works, Where it’s Used, and How it’s Effective to Connect with an Audience
Class 7: Stand-up Comedy: What it Is, Why it’s So Popular, and Stand-Up Comics as Personalities
Class 8: Comedy in Your Own Writing; Writing with Humor, Laughter and Smiles in Mind

Your Course Details

Total Number of Classes: Eight (8)
Prerequisites: WRITING ESSENTIALS 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I (HS 9-1) and SIMPLIFIED WRITING 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills (HS 9-2). Take the prerequisite courses LIVE or through Unlimited Access. Students who have tested out of the prerequisite skills via the Aquinas Writing Advantage Program’s Assessment are welcome to join the course
Required Materials:

1) Document Creation
All documents are turned in as Microsoft Word documents. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or alater version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.

Suggested Credit: One (1) full semester of Comedy Writing, Creative Writing, or English.

How this course fits with your other High School Writing Excellence courses...

Fall Semester Spring Semester
ACADEMIC WRITING
X-5 Punctuation/Grammar IICOLL-1 Mastering College Essay Writing
ADVANCED FICTION WRITING & LITERARY FORM
X-9 Hero's Journey, Part 1X-10 Hero's Journey, Part 2
X-11 Screenwriting, Part 1X-12 Screenwriting, Part 2
11-6 Authoring a Book, Part 111-8 Authoring a Book, Part 2
11-7 Writing the Short Story X-19 SF/Fantasy Short Story
X-15 Fiction Writing WorkshopX-16 Screenwriting Workshop
CREATIVE WRITING: EXPRESSIVE & POETIC FORMS
X-17 Comedy Writing, Part 1X-18 Comedy Writing, Part 2
X-13 Intro to PoetryX-14 Poetry: Joining the Great Tradition
BUSINESS WRITING
11-9 Pro Business Writing Essentials11-10 Foundations of Journalism
* This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
** The X-17 and X-18 courses can be taken separately or together. To get the most out of both courses, create a full year of High School Writing with Parts 1 and 2 together.

Your Instructor

LIVE, INTERACTIVE COURSES

This course is offered LIVE with instructor Kevin O´Brien in the Fall of 2020. Sign up for the LIVE course here.

One Sign Up Option

1. LIVE, INTERACTIVE COURSE

Students attend a LIVE class in a virtual classroom on a specific day, at a specific time. After class (during the week), the student independently completes the coursework and weekly quizzes; the quizzes are graded automatically by the computer for instant feedback. Your instructor gives feedback on assignments and grades student work; the instructor is available for communication outside of class via email, to help answer questions. Homework time outside of class is estimated to be one to three hours per week, depending on your student’s skills.

SIGN UP FOR THE LIVE COURSE HERE

2. UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSE

This course will be offered in Unlimited Access recordings in the Spring of 2021.

Specific Course FAQs

Is this course required?

This course is a Writing Excellence course and is an “above and beyond” course from the FOUNDATIONS-DEVELOPMENT-ADVANCED series of 9-12th grade courses. It can also be considered a WRITING DEVELOPMENT course.

Who should take the Comedy Writing courses?

Particularly if your student wants to be in a highly-engaging, high-interest course — to get excited about writing — then this may be a perfect fit, to increase your student’s writing skills with enjoyment. For those looking to combine writing, literature, and history — this is a perfect course. This course is also perfect for the student who wants to pursue any part of the creative storytelling or performance arts industry (book/novel writing, television and film writing, speech writing, and journalistic article writing).

Can I take another writing course at the same time?

Yes! Many students take two separate writing courses during a semester. In particular, the Comedy Writing courses can be taken at the same time as any of the high school Foundations courses (9-1, 9-2, 9-3, 9-4), Development courses (10-1, 10-2 and 11-Series courses), and Advanced Writing courses (12-1 and 12-2).

Is this course considered an English, Writing, or Literature Analysis course?

This course is considered an advanced English and Writing course with Literature Analysis components.

SIGN UP FOR THE LIVE COURSE HERE...
SIGN UP FOR THE UNLIMITED ACCESS RECORDED COURSE HERE...