Asynchronous Storytelling Lab: Crafting Compelling Stories
Jarrod Shusterman
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Deadline December 28, 2026
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Modality Online
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Tuition $715
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Next Start Date January 8, 2027
Course Description
One of the biggest challenges of creative writing is not in imagining the setting or story, but in deciding how your characters sound. In this generative writing workshop, participants will share and discuss character voice in their self-written work. The focus of discussions will be tone of voice – the choice of words, rhythm, phrase length and construction, etc. that can shape not just characters but also a piece’s structure, plot and mood. Discussions will include: “realistic” vs. “heightened” language, subtext, show vs. say, wordplay, and dialogue between characters vs. monologues. Participants can choose to work in any creative writing form: play, poetry, short story, or novel. Each participant will be expected to bring in new pages every other week for live reading and discussion (up to 5 pages).
What You'll Explore
- Multiple work shares that will help you generate new pages and/or refine existing ones
- Peer learning through instructor-facilitated feedback discussions in a “safe space” classroom culture
- Your voice and your characters’ voices, along with techniques to bring them off the page
- How different writing forms may use tone of voice differently (dependent on participants’ chosen genres)
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Available Course Sections
What I love most about teaching at the Graham School is that it is like eating at the chef's table: there are no barriers between students and instructors. We are all peers, indeed, friends learning alongside each other.
Jennifer Lind MLA’22, Graham School instructor
This has been so valuable to me. The instructors are truly committed; you make new friends and get new views. It’s been a real plus in my life.
Virginia Tobiason CER’02 (Basic Program)
Here I was introduced to perspectives from the humanities and social sciences that challenged me to approach things from different angles and become more tolerant to differences. Enrolling in Graham is the best decision I ever made.
Alvaro Iriarte MLA‘23
Frequently Asked Questions
Review common questions about our courses. You can also contact us for more information.
Do we take assessments in these courses?
Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.
How can I best prepare for class?
Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works: How to Read Classic Texts. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.
Do I have to complete an application?
Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.
Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?
Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions?
Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.
What happens if I have to miss a class?
Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.
What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?
You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues here. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.
Will this course be offered online or in person?
The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
What happens if I miss a class?
While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered. In-person classes are not recorded.
I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?
If you need to drop a course, please email us at graham@learningplatform.support to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.
Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.
How do I access my course after registration?
Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date. You’ll log in using the same credentials you used during registration. If you need help accessing your course, check out our helpful video tutorial.
I have a question about the course registration process, who should I reach out to?
If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our registration tips page. You can also email our support team at graham@learningplatform.support. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
Where have Graham School programs been featured?
Graham School programs have received national and international attention, with coverage in Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, The Atlantic, and other leading publications.
Are any scholarships or financial assistance available for Open Enrollment or Basic Program courses?
Beginning with the Winter 2027 registration period, a limited number of partial scholarships are available to students who would otherwise face barriers to enrollment in Graham School courses. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the academic year, and decisions are released every other month. Those interested in being considered can apply for a partial tuition scholarship here.
