Curriculum

Schedule

Creative Writers Studio classes meet on the following schedule:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: Faculty Reading/Student Open Mic
• Thursday: Writer’s Salon & Office Hours

Fundamentals Classes: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Choose a fundamentals class that will focus on the language, techniques, and traditions in the chosen genre:

The Art of Fiction

This writing intensive seminar offers writers the opportunity to develop the fundamentals of fiction through workshops and individual instruction that focus on plot, tone, dialogue, and description. Writers will read and discuss published fiction from a variety of genres to learn compelling narrative techniques and the aesthetics of storytelling. Strategies for publication will be emphasized.

The Art of Prose: Fiction and Nonfiction

This writing intensive seminar offers writers the opportunity to develop the fundamentals of fiction, creative nonfiction, and the personal essay through workshops and individual instruction. In fiction, writers will work on plot, tone, dialogue, and description. In creative nonfiction, writers will learn how to turn personal experience into compelling narratives by employing techniques often used in fiction. In the personal essay, writers will practice writing essays that explore the intersection of personal experience and socially relevant topics. Writers will read and discuss published material from each genre. Strategies for publication will be emphasized.

Breakout Sessions: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Choose a course that demonstrates how the fundamentals of writing play out in particular genres.

The Graphic Novel: Creating a Visual Story 

This seminar focuses on developing and structuring a story to fit the graphic novel form. Through reading graphic novels and writing exercises, students will learn to write an effective script for the graphic storytelling format. No artistic experience is necessary to take this seminar.

Scriptwriting: Creating for Stage and Screen

This writing intensive seminar offers writers the opportunity to learn the structure of both a one-act play and a screenplay. Writers will read scenes from short plays and view excerpts from films to examine the development of character, story arc, and dialogue. Writers will choose to focus on either a one-act or screenplay for their final project.

Elective Classes

Explore other aspects of writing and publishing by choosing between one of two breakout sessions:

Morning Classes: Tuesday/Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Literary Hangout

In an environment that encourages collaboration, feedback, and free thought, writers are given the opportunity to work on their writing, and develop new ideas with classmates and faculty. Not only are they able to utilize this space to keep up with the workload, they can also use it as a time to work on personal writing projects and/or pieces they want to submit for the Literary Magazine. 

Afternoon Elective Classes: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Introduction to Comedy Writing

This seminar will explore the many aspects of comedy through writing exercises, discussion, and standup. Through viewing standup routines, humor writing, and sketch comedy, writers will generate material and develop their comedic voices. In-class standup performances are required.

Slam Poetry: Form, Voice, and Performance

This seminar offers writers the opportunity to learn the basics of writing poetry, including working with rhythm, imagery, diction, and tone. Writers will explore different poetic forms such as blank verse, free verse, and spoken word, while they develop their voices and body language to deliver poems to an audience.

Afternoon Classes: Tuesday/Thursday

Writers Salon: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Meet published writers or editors who address related topics such as publishing, careers in writing, and the literary life.

Literary Excursions: 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Step outside of the classroom and visit various city sites. With the continued focus on creative writing and location, writers will learn to describe their imagined or real environments.

Creative Writers Workshop Reading Series 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

A weekly reading series featuring faculty and students. A brief question and answer
session takes place at the end of each performance.

Evening Activity: TBA 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Creative Writers Workshop Reading Series

A weekly reading series featuring faculty and students. A brief question and answer session takes place at the end of each performance.

Other Program Activities

Creative Writers Workshop Literary Magazines

During the program, you will be encouraged to submit your work to online literary magazines. The Imprinted Emerson, The Almond, Cerulean, and Paramount Palette are all literary magazines written and produced by members of the Creative Writers Workshop.

Emerson College reserves the right to change any provision of this program at any time. The College specifically reserves the right to change its tuition rates and any other financial charges. The College also reserves the right to rearrange its courses and class hours, to drop courses for which registration falls below the minimum enrollment, and to change instructor assignments.

Note: pre-college programs are not eligible for Emerson College's employee tuition benefits