11-7
Fiction Writing:
Writing the Short Story
Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade
Learn all about short story form as you read and analyze what makes famous short stories great -- then write your own short story in this dynamic short course as you get what it takes to become a great writer…
Your Course Description
Have you ever wanted to write (and publish) a short story? This powerful four-week course will cover just that — how to write a dynamic, publishable short story — including fleshing out ideas for your short stories, similarities, and differences between short stories and full-length book writing, and marketing your short stories to publications. You’ll learn what makes a short story great, read and analyze classic examples of memorable short stories, and take time to use what you learn, to become a better writer.
Your Course Outline
Class 1: Defining short stories: micro-fiction, flash fiction, short stories, novelettes, and novellas
Class 2: Characteristics of dynamic, saleable short stories
Class 3: Brainstorming, outlining, and forming your short story
Class 4: Short story markets and sales
Your Course Details
Total Number of Classes: Four (4)
Prerequisites:
Required: HS WRITING ESSENTIALS 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I (HS 9-1).
Recommended: SIMPLIFIED WRITING 1: Strong Foundational Writing Skills (HS 9-2). You can take the prerequisite courses LIVE or through Unlimited Access. Students who have tested out of the prerequisite skills via the Aquinas Writing Advantage Assessment are welcome to join!
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 (1/3) semester of Creative Writing, 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 II | COLL-1 Mastering College Essay Writing | ||
| ADVANCED FICTION WRITING & LITERARY FORM | |||
| X-9 Hero's Journey, Part 1 | X-10 Hero's Journey, Part 2 | ||
| X-11 Screenwriting, Part 1 | X-12 Screenwriting, Part 2 | ||
| 11-6 Authoring a Book, Part 1 | 11-8 Authoring a Book, Part 2 | ||
| 11-7 Writing the Short Story | X-19 SF/Fantasy Short Story | ||
| X-15 Fiction Writing Workshop | X-16 Screenwriting Workshop | ||
| CREATIVE WRITING: EXPRESSIVE & POETIC FORMS | |||
| X-17 Comedy Writing, Part 1 | X-18 Comedy Writing, Part 2 | ||
| X-13 Intro to Poetry | X-14 Poetry: Joining the Great Tradition | ||
| BUSINESS WRITING | |||
| 11-9 Pro Business Writing Essentials | 11-10 Foundations of Journalism | ||
** For a full semester of English and Writing, take the 11-7 Short Story short course (4 weeks, in recording) with the X-19 SF/Fantasy Short Story Writing course (6 weeks, LIVE Spring 2021, and in Unlimited Access recordings beginning Summer 2021).
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). When you take this course LIVE with the 11-457 course, your instructor is 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.
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.
Specific Course FAQs
Is this course required?
This course is considered a FOUNDATIONS 11th grade Creative Writing and Literature Analysis course and can be taken in recording at any time during the year (Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters). If your student takes the LIVE 11-457 course, this course content is included. If your student takes the 11-Series in Unlimited Access recording (multiple 4-week courses), then this course is taken separately.
If your student takes the Business Writing track in the 11th-grade year, then the 11-7 Short Story course is a Writing Excellence course that is an “above and beyond” — providing learning that gets the student ahead in college-level literature and writing.
Who should take the Writing the Short Story courses?
Because of the literature analysis and writing that’s unique to this course, all students entering college should take the course and gain the essential writing development that comes from these short but important four weeks of learning. This course is also essential for the student who wants to pursue any part of the creative storytelling industry (books, film, television, and more).
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 multiple four-week creative writing courses in their high school career.
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.
