Average reader with a lack of time or motivation to read more.

You feel stuck in your reading life.

You feel intimidated by books outside of your comfort zone, such as classics.

Confident and creative reader with intellectual autonomy, supported and inspired by your mentor and an international literary community.

Familiar with a wide variety of texts and authors in different genres, with an expanded literary repertoire.

Knowledgeable reader with creative skills and strategies to read and engage with books outside of your comfort zone.

Why do we love reading?

In this module we are going to reflect on why we love reading, the importance of reading actively, why and how to read outside of your literary comfort zone, and why we should think outside the box when talking about literary genres.

In module one, you’re going to:

• Read examples of the devotion to books written by poets and authors in different periods of time, reflecting on the potential benefits that books bring to a reader's life.

• Learn the definition of creative reading and why it is important to read creatively.

• Learn how to identify your reading comfort zones, and know when and how you should challenge yourself as a reader.

• Learn about different genres of literary texts, and why such categorizations can be limiting.

Elements of Fiction

In this module we are going to talk about the 5 main elements of fiction that are part of (almost) every story. We will look at examples of extracts from different literary texts by a variety of authors to understand and illustrate these concepts.

In module two, you’re going to:

• Learn about different narrator types and narrative styles.

• Learn about the importance of characterization in literary texts, types of characters, points of view and focalization.

• Learn what a plot is, as well as be able to identify different narratological techniques to frame a story within a plot.

• Read fascinating literature examples of how authors construct time and space within narratives, becoming aware of how they affect the characters in the story as well as your experience as a reader.

The importance of context(s)

In this module we are going to talk about the importance of reading literary texts in context. We will also see how there are several contextual variants that should be considered when reading a text, such as historical context, social context, cultural context, ideological context, aesthetic context, amongst others.

In module three, you’re going to:

• Study five specific case studies in order to understand the importance of reading books in context: Henry James' The Bostonians (1886), Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813), Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah (2013), George Orwell's 1984 (1949) and Ann Radcliffe's A Sicilian Romance (1790).

• Discuss five themes in relation to context: women's suffrage, marriage in Regency England, cultural identity, politics, the sublime and the Gothic.

• Read extracts from the novels mentioned above, expanding your literary repertoire and familiarizing yourself with a diversity of authors and texts.

Types of Literary Texts

In this module we are going to talk about the four main ways in which a story can be told: prose, poetry, drama and non-fiction. We'll discuss the main characteristics of each type of text and read extracts from a variety of authors as examples.

In module four, you’re going to:

• Learn the main elements that characterize prose, poetical, dramatic and nonfictional texts, as well as subgenres within each main category: short stories, novels, fairy tales, sonnets, comedies, tragedies, history plays, essays and (auto)biographies.

• Read examples from a wide variety of literary sources to better visualize and internalize the concepts and literary terms.

• Read one essay by the author Virginia Woolf and reflect on how the language differs from fictional literary writing.

Engaging critically, actively and creatively with the literary text

In this module you are going to learn annotation techniques and research strategies to put theory into practice. Based on all the knowledge you've acquired in modules 1 to 4, you'll learn how to apply what you've learned and develop your autonomy as a confident creative reader.

In module five, you’re going to:

• Practice engaging actively with a literary text, learning the basic skills for literary research and literary analysis.

• Engage with critical texts written by scholars and readers around the world to solidify your thoughts and opinions about a literary text.

• Learn annotation and study techniques that will help you better memorize the texts you read and will allow you to converse with your books.

Revisiting Old Friends

In this module we are going to talk about the power of re-reading, and how your reading notes can become a connecting bridge between the you from now with the you from the past. You will also know how to continue your literary growth on your own, bringing with you all the knowledge acquired in The Creative Reader Academy.

In module six, you’re going to :

• Understand your books as memories and as a way to reconnect with your own past selves. You will also consider re-reading as a parameter to appreciate your development as a reader.

• Discuss the importance of re-reading and how it can help you mature as a reader.

• Reflect on your own growth as a creative reader and plan the next steps in your literary journey.