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©2009/10 Constance K. Flynn
7B
COURSE OUTLINE
PUNCH UP YOUR PROSE
We all want our writing to grab readers and make them say those magic words, "I couldn't put your book down." Too often though, we only hear them from our mothers. Punch Up Your Prose shows you how to make each word count and deliver maximum impact.
We'll cover the power of cause and effect, eliminating excess words and invigorating weak ones, identifying passive voice (it's not just the "had" and "should" phrases), uncovering active voice, using paragraphs and punctuation to control pacing, wording your sentences for maximum impact, and letting your point of view character's voice shine through.
By the end of the course, you'll be able to easily identify the writing habits that hold you back and know how to correct them. Exercises will consist of 100 to 250 word prose submissions and you're welcome to take them from your work in progress if you have one. Be prepared to rewrite and reword as you tear apart the submissions until every word is a gem or brilliantly supports a gem.
The course contents are:
1. Paragraphs & Scenes
a) Cause and Effect
b) Motivation–the action that moves the story
c) Reaction–the response that keeps the story moving
d) Using paragraphs for maximum impact
2. Sentences & Punctuation
a) Why tight writing is so important
b) Techniques for strong, tight sentences
c) Controlling pacing with punctuation
d) Keeping characters out of sentences
e) Punctuating dialogue
3. The Right Words
a) Word clutter
b) Gaining power and precision
c) Clarity
d) Passive/active voice
4. Point of View & Good Writing
a) Always know your point of view
b) How point of view affects word choice
c) How to smoothly change points of view
d) Using beats and pauses to build tension
During the exercises, you might encounter uncertainty about certain points of grammar. A good source is the OWL resource page of Purdue University, which has one of the finest grammar tutorials I have ever seen.
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