National Story Telling Week

If you love writing and storytelling - now's the time to investigate many of the short courses available at OpenLearn - Free Learning from the Open University.  If you have never had the time, money or opportunity, then the Open University might be just what you need to inspire you for 2017!

Open University offers a variety of literary courses where you can take the first steps into learning the art of writing; a place where you can hone your literary skills; an online learning space for getting feedback on your creations and a place you'll feel comfortable to learn along side, like-minded individuals.  

If you are not sure how to get cracking, consider the introductory Start writing fiction course.  It's a twelve hour free course that will tempt your taste buds, tune your pen and cover all the basics of: character building; setting and will look at the the various fiction genres in play today. ...And, when you're all done and dusted, you'll receive a statement of participation.

If story-telling is not your thing and you are crazy about writing poetry, they got that covered, too.  Again, another free course, but now you have five to choose from:
1.  What is Poetry? - 12 hour course to get you started
2. Poetry Prescription - a short activity to find out about poetry
3. Writing Poetry - am introductory short audio audio
4. Approaching Poetry -  20 hour course for intermediate learners
5. The Poetry of Sorley MacLean- 10 hour course for advanced learners

to Writing and storytelling is not there just for kids, remember it all started way back as a way to entertain adults.  The writing of plays for theatre - as developed by the likes of Shakespeare were there to entertain the upper-class.  Nine times out of ten, it would poke fun at aristocracy, their ways, habits and the ruling party of the village or land.  Hence, it was not uncommon for comedy to flourish in these periods. It was a way for writers to become flavour of the month.  Being loved by royalty meant you could be commissioned to write for the crown.  You would be paid handsomely for your efforts, could attend all number of upper-class events and you'd live out a wonderful existence - wining and dining courtesy of the crown.  

So, if you find humour, comedy and the expression of language is your thing - maybe you should set your sights higher.  A course in applied linguistics, possibly theatre or would you prefer to laugh away the hours with these quick course starters.

Within The Language of Comedy you can view: creating a character, social class, innuendo, cross cultural humour and catchphrases and even crafting a joke.  

​This is everything you'll need, to set sail on a career of a lifetime! Happy penning!

Language of Comedy - Crafting a joke

Comedian and actor Isy Suttie looks at how language is manipulated to create jokes, especially one-liners.