Welcome to the Advanced Grammar for Writers Course at NZ Writers' College.
In good writing the sentences just flow off the page. Their meaning is crystal clear, and as a reader you are drawn in to the narrative, whether it is crime fiction or political analysis. In bad writing the sentences feel clunky, and you may have to stop and re-read a sentence to figure out what the writer means. You might think the difference is all about creativity and verve, but usually it is something as basic as grammar.
The Advanced Grammar Course is for writers who want to iron out grammar gremlins, improve their writing style and gain a deeper understanding of the rules that make for good writing.
The course would benefit journalists, editors, Web writers, copywriters and all creative writers.
Course Details:
-
Modules: 6 Modules
-
Duration: Course can be completed at own pace: between two and four months
-
Start date: At any time; applications all year round via our website
Student must complete:
-
Six theoretical modules
-
17 practical writing exercises that students submit for assessment and feedback
Admission requirements:
-
Must be proficient in writing
-
Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required
-
No previous tertiary qualification required
Tutor for this course:
Alex Smith
Course Curriculum
Module 1 - Roaming Adverbs
|
-
Recognise adverbs and adverbial phrases
-
Diagnose sentences in which adverbs and adverbial phrases are causing a problem
-
Fix adverbial problems
|
Module 2 - Verbs and Tenses
|
-
An infinitive, and to distinguish it from other verb forms
-
A finite verb
-
Misrelated participles, and how to avoid them
-
Circumstances where formal and/or archaic verb forms are being used
|
Module 3 - Grammar as a Movie Set
|
-
Learnt how to distinguish the principle parts of a sentence
-
Looked at how scary grammatical terms can be understood as parts of a movie set
-
Been given a simple strategy to help solve tricky grammatical problems
|
Module 4 - Grammar Gremlins: Part One
|
-
Identify the subjective and objective forms of various pronouns
-
Use the Strategy to identify subjects and objects in a variety of sentences
-
Solve tricky grammatical puzzles such as ‘between you and I or between you and me?’ and ‘who or whom?’.
|
Module 5 - Grammar Gremlins: Part Two
|
-
When to use ‘who’ and when to use ‘whom’
-
when to use ‘that’ and when to use ‘which’
|
Module 6- The Elements of Good Writing?
|
-
How to distinguish active from passive constructions
-
When it is better to use (much-abused) passive constructions
|
|
How does the course work?
Detailed class notes covering the content of each module are e-mailed to students, or students can download modules directly from the Student Centre online.
At the end of each module, students will be required to complete several writing exercises. Once the writing assignment has been completed, and e-mailed to the lecturer, an assessment and feedback will be sent to the student, and the module will be considered complete.
Conditions of Certification:
Students will receive an NZ Writers' College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided they meet the following conditions:
-
Students must have completed all module assignments
-
Students must have attained a minimum of 50% for an exam following completion of the modules
-
The course must have been completed within twelve months of registration.
-
Students are expected to attain a minimum average of 50% for the course
