All LevelsThe University of EdinburghEnglish

How to Read a Novel

Get underneath the skin of a novel by understanding some of the main building blocks of modern fiction.

Suitable for everyone

✓ Instant access•✓ Learn at your pace

What You'll Learn in This Course

Master key concepts and practical skills through structured learning modules. By completing this curriculum, you'll gain valuable expertise applicable to real-world scenarios.

Learning Outcome 1

What makes a great novel? How is a novel woven together? How can we best appreciate works of fiction?

Learning Outcome 2

Answer these questions and more with this course from The University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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Course Requirements & Target Audience

Understand what you need to succeed in this course and determine if it's the right fit for your learning goals

Prerequisites & Requirements

What you need before starting this How to Read a Novel course:

No specific prerequisites required
Just bring your enthusiasm to learn!

Beginner-Friendly Course!

This course is designed for absolute beginners. No prior knowledge needed.

Who This Course Is For

This course is perfect for:

Motivated learners at any level
Self-paced students
Anyone interested in the subject

This course might not be suitable if:

• You're looking for a quick tutorial rather than comprehensive learning
• You prefer learning without structured curriculum
• You need highly specialized or niche content

Course Information & Details

Everything you need to know about this online course, from duration to certification

Subject Category

Literature

Part of our Literature curriculum

Course Language

English

All materials in English

Start Your Learning Journey Today

This online course offers comprehensive training with expert instruction, practical exercises, and a certificate of completion. Join thousands of students advancing their careers through quality online education.

The University of Edinburgh Course

Course Enrollment

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What's Included

The course examines specific techniques relating to plotting and temporality including flashbacks, unreliable narration and framed narratives.
The course considers ways of understanding character, such as behaviour and motives.
It explores issues relating to the presentation of dialogue, including conversational mood and dialect voices.
The course examines the impact of various different settings on the development of plot and character.
It invites learners to test their understanding through weekly quizzes and a final peer assessment task.
The four novels explored for this course are: Crudo by Olivia Laing Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires Murmur by Will Eaves Sight by Jessie Greengrass

View Course & Enroll

✓Instant access after enrollment
✓Learn at your own pace
✓Direct enrollment with The University of Edinburgh

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