Fiction Writing OCN Level 3

Aim
The aim of this self-study course is to provide a comprehensive guide to the skills and techniques of writing fiction successfully, and will enable students to study a variety of styles.  The course also examines practical aspects of getting published plus the essential elements of both short stories and novels.

Student Profile
This programme is designed for anyone considering professional authoring for a variety of media including books, short stories, radio and television.

Study Method
The course is designed for study by distance learning at work or at home.  Students receive course manual, assignments and studyguide plus tutor support.

Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements but students should be self-motivated to follow a programme of home study. Please note that:
1. All assignments must be word-processed; no hand written assignments will be accepted.
2. All assignments should be completed in Microsoft Word format.

Timescale
The programme takes place over a timescale to suit the student.  Once registered, tutor support is available for up to one year or until completion whichever is the soonest.

Location
The programme is home or work-based enabling students to complete the course without having to attend scheduled college teaching sessions.

Duration
Students may study over any timescale of up to one year. To complete the course will take in the region of 60 hours of study.

Study Pack
Your study pack contains everything required to complete your course and no further purchases are necessary. 

Assessment
This course is assessed through a series of tutor marked assignments. No attendance at an exams centre is required.

Accreditation
This course is validated by OCNNWR and provides 6 credits. These can be accumulated with other course or unit credits over a period of time which can lead to an accredited qualification.

The course is provided by Study House which is a recognised centre for courses validated by OCNNWR.

OCNNWR provides validated courses through its provider organisations which must meet robust quality assurance standards. It is a licenced member of NOCN which is an approved awarding body licenced by QCA to offer accredited qualifications. 

Support
Students receive tutor support for a full one year from registration plus unlimited access to the student helpline during working hours.

COURSE CONTENT
The course is divided up into 8 units, as follows:

Introduction
• Content
• Style
• Techniques
• Marketing

Unit 1 – The Short Story
• How to study and analyse it
• Studying the market
• Overseas markets
• Writing is a business
• How do I find ideas?
• How do I present my manuscript?
• Where do I find facts?

Unit 2 - The Theme
• Choosing a theme
• The basic emotion
• First or third person?
• Get out of the way!
• Reader identification
• Setting
• Style

Unit 3 – The Plot
• Plotting
• Accuracy
• The plot scheme
• A twist in the tale
• Finding a plot
• Conflict, tension & Suspense
• Balance and pace

Unit 4 – The Characters
• Your chief character
• Names
• Can people be plots?
• Characterisation
• Motives
• Mannerisms
• Minor Characters
• Hero, Heroine, Villain or Clown
• How people operate

Unit 5 – Getting Started
• How to start?
• The plot thickens
• Stuck?
• Handling Transitions
• How to end?
• Your work plan
• Rules are made to be broken

Unit 6 –Title & Dialogue
• Choosing a title
• Writing Dialogue
• Grammar,  dialect and slang
• Types of short story
• The serial

Unit 7 – Practical Details
• Copyright
• The laws of defamation
• Agents and “Vanity Publishers”
• Keeping records
• Payment
• Income Tax
• Expenses
• Writing for radio
• Writing for television
• Presenting a TV drama

Unit 8 – Writing a Novel
• Structure
• Action, Thriller, Mystery
• Science Fiction
• Crime & Detective novels
• Historical novels
• Serious novels
• Final points

Tutor Marked Assignments

Final Assignment