Fiction Writing Level 3

Develop core fiction writing techniques, such as how to structure stories, build plots and create believable characters.

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Overview

Are you a talented writer? Perhaps you’re always being told that you should write a book, but you aren’t sure where to start? Wonder no more! Our Fiction Writing Level 3 course has been specially designed for budding authors and total beginners to help you develop your story writing, characters, and dialogue. Along the way, you’ll complete a variety of assessments and receive helpful critiques from a writing professional that will hone your skills to perfection.

In this comprehensive course, you’ll receive a full introduction to fiction writing, and gain an overview of practical considerations such as copyright law and how to get your book published. You’ll study the art of analysing and writing short stories, as well as writing for TV, radio, or film. Moving on, you’ll delve into themes, plots, and creating believable characters and dialogue. Finally, you’ll discover how to write your very own novel, focusing on genre, structure, and how to craft your own personal style. So, what are you waiting for?

What you'll learn

Unit 1 - Introduction to Fiction Writing

You’ll kick off by learning exactly what it takes to become a good writer, as well as everything you’ll need to do to fully engage with your course. Next, you’ll examine the basic principles of fiction writing, how to find ideas when inspiration is lacking, and the importance of considering the reader as you write.

Unit 2 - Practicalities

As with all things in life, there are certain practicalities to consider before you begin writing. How can you make sure you keep the licence to all your work? How can you ensure you don’t fall foul of defamation laws? How can you keep all your records in order, and get your work published? In unit two, you’ll cover all this, and more.

Unit 3 - The Short Story

If you’re planning on writing a novel, it’s a great idea to start with the short story first. In unit three, you’ll discover how to study and analyse short stories, as well as receive a full reading list which will help you increase your writing knowledge. Moving on, you’ll learn how to study the market before you begin writing in order to appeal to readers, and how to present your finished manuscript.

Unit 4 - Other Types of Writing

Why restrain your talents to short story and novel writing? Here, you’ll cover everything you need to know to write for radio, TV, or film, and you’ll discover how each script should be presented depending on your intended medium.

Unit 5 - Theming

In any story, a theme creates an important underlying message for the reader. In this unit, you’ll discover how to carefully craft different emotions, whether to write in the first or third person, and how to make sure your language and style identify with your intended audience.

Unit 6 - Plotting

What’s the most important component of any story? The plot! That’s why it’s crucial you get it spot on. In this unit, you’ll discover how to create credible and convincing narratives that will keep your reader hooked.

Unit 7 - Use of Characters

It’s tougher than you think to create convincing characters. In unit seven, you’ll be taken through everything you need to consider to make your characters come alive, including psyche, motives, names, and mannerisms. You’ll also discover how to craft convincing heroes and villains, while avoiding stereotypes.

Unit 8 - How to Get Started

So, you have your idea, you have your plot schema, you have your characters and you have your target audience – now it’s time to get something down on paper. Unit eight will guide you through the best habits to get into when writing, how to introduce your characters, how to develop your plot and handle transitions, and how to craft a satisfying ending.

Unit 9 - Choosing a title and Dialogue

A lot of people think that the choice of title is only a minor detail. However, it can actually make or break a good story, and it can certainly sell one. In this unit, you’ll discover how to choose the perfect title, as well as how to make sure your dialogue is convincing and fluid.

Unit 10 - Novel Writing

Writing a novel might seem like an impossible task, however, by this point in the course, you’ll be fully prepared to take on the challenge. In unit ten, we’ll run through everything you need to consider as you write; how to craft a killer opening, stick to a structure, choose a genre, how to present your work to publishers, and more

Extra info

Awarding Body

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With a heritage stretching back over 150 years, NCFE is one of the largest awarding bodies in the UK. Over 340,000 students were awarded certification by NCFE last year.

NCFE Customised Qualifications are bespoke, unregulated qualifications developed to meet the specific needs of learners. These courses fit in where there are no other regulated qualifications are available. Meaning you can achieve recognition from a well-respected awarding body, even if there isn’t a pre-existing qualification in a certain subject area.

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Course Outcome

At the end of this course, successful learners will receive an NCFE Customised Qualification and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the details of all of the units you have completed as part of your course). Read more about NCFE.

How is this course assessed or examined?

Each unit is followed by a written tutor-marked assignment (TMA), which is submitted and then marked by your tutor. You will not be required to take an external exam.

Entry requirements

While there are no strict entry requirements for this level three Fiction Writing, it is strongly recommended that you have the ability to effectively read and write in English.

FAQs

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How can I become a writer?

From journalism and copywriting (both within a company setting or in a freelance capacity) to fiction and screenwriting, making a living as a writer is an attainable goal.

To reach a position where you’re paid to write, it’s helpful to have a diverse portfolio to showcase your ability. This could take the form of a personal blog that covers various topics in a range of structures.

Maybe you have a knack for getting to the juicy details of a news story, or perhaps there’s a screenplay in you that the world needs to know about. Either way, the more bows you can add to your quiver, the more employable you’ll look, which is where our online writing and journalism courses come in.

From creative writing to freelance journalism, we can help your writing leap off the page and onto the stage, screen, or printing press, whatever your goals and aspirations are.

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Why study creative writing online?

Creative writing is made out to be an effortless thing to do if you’ve got the talent, but there’s certainly a lot of practice that goes into writing a quality story that sells.

And once you’ve managed to complete a draft, the ability to proofread it yourself will save you a decent amount of money and ensure you keep full creative control.

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Why study a writing or journalism course online with Oxbridge?

When you enrol on a course with us, we make it our personal mission to help you succeed. You’ll have 24-hour access to our award-winning online learning platform so that you can study at a time, place and pace that suits you. You have complete control over your learning when you study with us.

But that doesn’t mean we’ll leave you to muddle through alone. You’ll be allocated an experienced personal tutor who will be on hand to help when you need it. Simply schedule a one-to-one and reap the benefits of their in-depth knowledge.

If you’ve found the perfect course, enrolling online is quick and easy. But if you’d like a little more help and advice, speak to one of our friendly learning advisers today! 😊

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Why study journalism online?

Whether you dream of being a hard-hitting news reporter or want to write features for glossy magazines, studying journalism will help you make this a reality.

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Are you ready to change your world?

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