You think you know how to write a sentence?
“Call me Ishmael.” “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
Some sentences strike us psychologically, spark ideas and emotions in our hearts, or stay in our minds long after we’ve finished reading them.
What makes them special?
Taking notes from How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One (Stanley Fish), The Elements of Style (William Strunk Jr.), literature, the world of advertising and copywriting, and artificial intelligence (ChatGPT and GPT-4), we’d explore how a sentence is formed, how it communicates an idea, and how you can create sentences worth reading (and actually enjoy writing).
Each week of this 3-week workshop contains four daily in-depth lessons on topics outlined below. The lessons come with their own required response assignment that helps you read, understand, analyze, and engage with sentences in nuanced, thoughtful ways. Each weekend, you’d get to work on a project that further stretches your understanding and application of things you’re learning.
- Materials: Everything–lessons, assignments, project outlines, and detailed comments–will be provided via email.
- Cost: $195 USD
- Who this class is for: Artists, writers, would-be authors and anyone who loves and/or works with words.
- Instructor: I’m Odelia – freelance copywriter, AP English Composition teacher, and published novelist. I share my thoughts sporadically with the internet on my blog, where I explore the soul, mind, and environment of the creator.
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The Course Flow:
Week 1:
- Why sentences?
- What a sentence IS (and what it is not)
- The relationship between words
- Which is more important—thought or form?
Week 2:
- How to write a sentence (A brief overview of styles)
- The subordinating style
- The additive style
- Satirical styles: The return of content
Week 3:
- First sentences
- When bots can write, what makes your words human?
- To sell is human: The architecture of marketing through words
- Last sentences
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Ready to begin writing?
After paying below, send an email to teach[at]odeliachan.com to introduce yourself, share your goals for taking the course, and ask any questions you might have before beginning. Once confirmed, the first lesson would be sent to you on the Monday after signup. See you inside!
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Reviews from Past Students:
Andrew B.; Summer 2023
“The workshop teaches writing not as a means to something else, but as valuable in and of itself. One of my main takeaways was that communication is innately a human pursuit. So, if you’re a human, and communication is valuable to you, and you want to practice imitating some brilliant minds, then this is for you!”
Philip O. Summer 2023
“Ms. Odelia Chan’s class gave me the tools to both analyze and create deep, meaningful, and impactful sentences. Her comments and instruction were very insightful. She helped me to become a better writer and to analyze creative forms and styles of sentence structure that form important elements of writing – what a great class!”
Rachel M. Summer 2023
“This was a really fun and engaging class. I feel like I have learned a lot more about how to build an interesting sentence, and I found that working on my writing skills during the summer prepared me for my other writing classes in the school year. I am really glad that I took this class and I would recommend it to any student who enjoys writing and is willing to”