Prague, Czech Republic

Creative Storytelling and Creative Writing

“Tell me a story!” Something we all have heard or said so many times. As children, it is through stories we begin to learn how the world works – and that is why we are all so strongly attracted to them. Stories can invite us into an unthinkable reality, they help us learn from the past or even see the future, they offer archetypes of good and evil and can very well play with our imagination as well as logic. A good story can sell everything – not only does this apply to books and movies, but also to everything we do in our professional and personal life. We need a story to design a strong presentation, create an effective post for social media, manage an interview, deliver a business pitch or write an academic essay. While this course focuses on the importance of a story, we will mainly pay attention to the writer (his/her imagination, vocabulary, narrative styles, critical thinking, experience, dreams and memories) – YOU.

Course leader

Martina Dolezalova is a Czech writer, reviewer, travel blogger and copywriter with four belletristic books published. As a graduate from the Charles University, Pedagogical Faculty, in the field of English literature and linguistics and Czech literature.

Target group

Young professionals and university students with an intermediary level of English

Course aim

Acquired skills:
Mastering the art of storytelling (“Show Don’t Tell” techniques)
Thinking imaginatively, creatively with an “outside the box” attitude
Writing for the audience with an ability to make them see your point of view
Selling your idea, concept or product through a variety of narrative tools and methods (presentation, advertisement, blog, CV, essay, public speech)
Enhancing your English vocabulary, composition and writing style


Schedule

Day 1 Tell me a story about you (students will receive some homework before the class starts)
Day 2 The importance of a story (historical consequences and their current influence)
Day 3 The development of a story (main structure, set-up, characters, plot) + Why every story needs some drama (conflicts, problems, arguments and their solutions) - book writing perspective
Day 4 The development of a story (main structure, set-up, characters, plot) + Why every story needs some drama (conflicts, problems, arguments and their solutions) - marketing perspective
Day 5 Creative writing techniques (metaphor, hyperbole, oxymoron, plot twist, fiction versus nonfiction writing methods)
Day 6 Who, Why, Where and When (why you need more than a “what” in your story)
Day 7 Applying storytelling to business presentations
Day 8 Applying storytelling to academic essays (argumentative, factual, narrative essays)
Day 9 Applying storytelling to online advertisements, social media and blog articles
Day 10 Presentation and discussion about your coursework (share a portfolio of your creative writing pieces with the class)

Course is running: Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 14:00

Credits info

5 EC
You will receive an official Certificate of Attendance upon completion of your course which you may use to show evidence of the skills you have learnt during the course and have the credits accepted by your home university.

Fee info

EUR 950: Course fee includes the application fee, study materials, afternoon/evening social activities and events during the week and barbecue. Other expenses, such as meals, accommodation, insurance, personal expenses, extra activities (such as trips outside the town over the weekend) are not included in the price.


Please note, after the 30th of April 2023, there will be a late enrollment fee charged in the amount of 50EUR on top of the course fee.
EUR 247: Accommodation fee for a 13-night stay at Botic Student House starts at 19 EUR/night for a double bed room. Single bed is 25EUR/night.