LIB472
Your Character's Voice: Writing Riveting Dialogue
As readers, we come to know and appreciate characters because of what they say and do, more than how they are described. As writers, we may struggle with developing character dialogue that illuminates our characters’ wants and needs. Until we hear our characters’ voices out loud and visualize them physically embodying the dialogue, the words are merely signs on a page. Together, we'll engage in the practice of creating characters, writing dialogue and listening to it read aloud so we get the measure of the characters we are creating and how their spoken words contribute to the plot and action of the story.
Note: This course is offered in a workshop format. It involves active participation, weekly writing assignments shared online, and reading written work aloud with other students in small groups.
A $50 discount will be applied automatically for adults 55+.
This course will be offered online on Thursdays, Sep 12 - Oct 17, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Overview
Location: Online
Format: Self-paced with weekly virtual class
Duration: 6 weeks
Tuition: $180
Can be applied to:
Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate
Upcoming Offerings
Currently not available for registration.
Course outline
- Week 1: Practice 1
Creating a character through visualization and description. We will use writing exercises to develop a character who will speak in first person. - Week 2: Practice 2
Creating a second character and a situation in which our characters will interact through dialogue. Writing dialogue and testing it by reading it out loud with other classmates. - Week 3: Practice 3
Expanding, exploring and editing our characters’ dialogue to clarify and find new aspects of our characters to push the plot forward. Testing our dialogues through hearing them read out loud. - Week 4: Practice 4
Creating two new characters through writing exercises and creating dialogues to find their voices. Trying out these characters by reading their dialogues with classmates. - Week 5: Practice 5
Developing and expanding our new characters’ dialogue to explore new impulses and ideas. Trying out these characters by reading these expanded dialogues with classmates. - Week 6: Practice 6
Show-and-tell with the whole class. We’ll enjoy everyone’s writing by reading it out loud together.
What you will learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Utilize a repertoire of character development exercises
- Practice writing character dialogue
- Develop confidence in sharing your creative work with others
How you will learn
- Participation in Zoom seminars
- Writing prompts and assignments
- Small-group reading with other students
- Participation in written discussions with other students
- Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)
Learning Materials
No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.
Technical Requirements
For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.