Which Universities Offer Free Creative Writing Courses Online?
A number of universities offer free creative writing courses, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Open University and Utah State University. Classes use interactive websites, audio readings and writing activities to teach students the basics of creative writing. Such courses offer no college credit, but they serve as a helpful resource for those wishing to hone their creative writing skills.
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<h3 id="section---MassachusettsInstituteOfTechnology">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</h3>
<p>Through its OpenCourseWare program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers nearly 50 writing classes. Many of the classes focus on <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Useful_Sites_for_Beginners_to_Creative_Writing.html">creative writing</a> and literature, teaching students the foundations of creative writing. Students learn to develop dimensional characters, plotlines, dialogues and comprehensive stories. An introductory creative writing course teaches students how to find creative writing ideas by recording the meanings and concepts of daily life. Here are some topics that other creative writing courses cover:
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<ul><li>Writing autobiographies
</li><li>Genre fiction writing
</li><li>Futuristic creative writing
</li><li>Poetry and short story writing
</li><li>Creative writing structures
</li></ul><h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $81,120 (for writers and authors)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills</td><td> Excellent writing skills, computer proficiency, organization</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 4% (for writers and author)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment</td><td> Office or flexible home setting</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---OpenUniversity">Open University</h3>
<p>Introductory and advanced online courses in creative writing are offered through Open University. In a course titled 'Start Writing Fiction', students will learn how to create and develop characters and settings. It also discusses genre writing. Other creative writing courses address:
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<ul><li>Poetry writing
</li><li>Writing biographies and autobiographies
</li><li>Drama writing
</li><li>Writing style development
</li></ul><h3 id="section---UtahStateUniversity">Utah State University</h3>
<p>Utah State University, which also participates in OpenCourseWare, offers several writing classes online for no charge. Of potential interest to creative writers is the introductory course on prose writing. The course begins with analyses of various fiction and non-fiction prose writings. As participants dig deeper into the material, they utilize such writing techniques as brainstorming and clustering. Writing concepts are integrated with contemporary issues in American society. Such issues include the following:
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<ul><li>Race
</li><li>Gender roles
</li><li>Economic class
</li><li>Media</li></ul>