Advance Character, Plot and Stylistic Development

In this advanced course, students refine skills in assessing the completeness of the characters? backgrounds, place, setting, and milieu. They develop their abilities to assess characters for the clarity of their relationship among other characters. Students also critique personal manuscripts for problems relating to characterization and character development, and prepare rewrites as necessary. They hone skills in plot development and advancement, as well as in style usage. Style devices are examined closely to understand how elements such as the use of active verbs, contrast, repetition for emphasis, parallelism, and the avoidance of empty words and clich?s can greatly enhance writing.