Home Study Course Dramatic Writing
Study Dramatic Writing via Distance Learning at home.
Duration : 100 hours
General Information
This is an individual module. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study. Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
For individual courses - If you want to take one of these courses only, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it. If you successfully pass the exam, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course. If you do not wish to sit the examination, you will need to complete all assignments to receive the course completion letter. There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Course Structure
1. Introduction
- Motivation
- Typing time
- Types of Writing
- Making decisions about what to write; deciding the genre, know your stuff, concept, synopsis, etc
- Keeping a notebook
- Process of Story Development
- Planning what you Write
- Developing your Voice
- Terminology
2. Characters
- Developing the characters
- Building Characters
- The Main Characters
- Minor Characters
3. Theme & Genre
- Developing a Theme
- Universal Themes
- Sub Themes
- Creating Conflict
- Names
4. Plot Development
- Developing the big picture
- Decisions to Make
- Ambience
- The end of a story Memoir
- Biographies
- Reflective Stories
- Historical
- Sense of Place
- Opinionated Stories
5. Weaving a Story
- Action, Emotion and Mirror Technique
- Parallel Lives Technique
- Palm Cards Technique
- Let your Character Drive the Story
- Developing a Story Line
- Problems to Avoid
- A Dialectical Approach
- Other Approaches
- How Character Affects Plot
- Motive
- Consequences
- Flashbacks and Flash forwards
6. Writing a Dramatic Short Story
- Who is the Antagonist
- Who are the Main Characters
- Developing a Sense of Place
7. Developing Sub Plots
- Reasons for sub Plots
- Ways to Develop sub Plots
- Plants
8. Writing a Chapter for a Dramatic Novel
- Opportunity to publish in the Student magazine
- Creative Writing Resources
- Writing as a Business
- Getting Published
- Self Publishing Vanity Publishing
- Characters –Developing the characters
Aims
- Define and develop an understanding of dramatic writing.
- Develop methods of developing characters in dramatic writing.
- Define different genres and develop themes for dramatic writing.
- Develop techniques for developing your plot.
- Describe techniques for weaving a story.
- Develop a short story using dramatic writing.
- Develop a chapter of dramatic writing.
- Determine how to develop sub plots.
There are many different types of writing – short stories, poems, novels, screen plays etc. Dramatic writing can fall into all of these. A short story usually takes place over a shorter period of time. It is often set in just one setting/scene, and the characters may be shown with broader strokes – there is not as much time to analyse characters as there is with novel writing.
A novel, however, allows more space to describe characters and scenes. There may be more than one scene and more than one plot. The plots may be multilayered.
Writing comes in many forms, all of which can be creatively employed and manipulated by the creative writer, regardless of the genre (novel, poetry, travel guide etc) in which she or he is writing. One form of writing is rarely used on its own.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”

Dramatic Writing Distance Learning Course
Study Dramatic Writing from home by Distance Learning
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