Course Description:

The Digital Technologies and Innovation Hub presents a Storytelling course. This theoretical and practical learning course is a blend designed to help participants identify and implement ideas worth telling. Students will be able to narrate a story in a structured, dramaturgical way; create interesting and distinctive characters; and write convincing dialogues.

Syllabus:

Topic #1
Introduction

• Why do we tell and read stories?
• Why do we read fiction?

Topic #2
The Idea

• Where do ideas come from?
• Where to look for inspiration?
• How to determine if a story is worth telling.

Topic #3
Content – What We Want to Tell

• Highlighting the main message;
• The theme of conflict;
• Research/material collection;
• Interviews;
• Building the story’s structure.

Topic #4
Characters

• Creating characters;
• Defining characters' traits;
• What do our protagonists want?
• Obstacles and challenges;
• The journey the heroes must undertake.

Topic #5
Story Dramaturgy

• Beginning;
• Development;
• Climax;
• Conclusion.

Topic #6
Writing Dialogues

• How to make characters speak;
• Dialogue credibility;
• The vocabulary of characters;
• Jargon;
• Vulgarity;
• Humor.

Topic #7
Tying the Text Together

• Connecting stories;
• “Soft bridges”;
• Highlighting details;
• Triggering planted plot points.

Topic #8
Editing

• The editing process;
• Organizing the rhythm of the story;
• Communication with the publisher.