Applications Open! Enroll for Summer 2027 at 2026 Tuition Pricing Until Sept 30
Draft and revise an original short story in this 3-week creative writing program for middle school students at UCLA.
Course Description
What makes a short story feel complete even when every word has to earn its place? Students read like writers, examining how character, plot, setting, dialogue, point of view, voice, conflict, and metaphor work together. Short fiction and podcast discussions give the class a practical way to notice techniques that can strengthen their own work.
Students develop an original flash-fiction story of about 1,000 words. They practice outlining without becoming trapped by a plan, writing more precise dialogue, using active verbs, and cutting words that slow a scene. A one-minute pitch helps each writer clarify the central idea, while humor, simile, and metaphor exercises expand the choices available during drafting.
Revision is treated as part of the creative process. Students submit a first draft, receive individual notes, make focused editing passes, and prepare their story to be read and discussed with the class. They also learn about places writers can submit finished work.
This three-week middle school program takes place at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. The program is developed by UCLA and offered in partnership with Summer Discovery. It is available to residential and commuter students. Beyond class, students connect active academic exploration with campus life, growing independence, new friendships, and a clearer sense of what they may want to explore next.
What Will You Do?
• Read short fiction closely to identify techniques writers use
• Develop character, setting, conflict, point of view, and voice
• Practice writing precise dialogue, imagery, humor, similes, and metaphors
• Pitch a story idea clearly in about one minute
• Draft and revise an original flash-fiction story of about 1,000 words
• Share finished work and respond thoughtfully to class discussion
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Identify and apply core fiction techniques in an original story
• Revise prose for stronger verbs, clearer dialogue, and more purposeful detail
• Discuss how specific writing choices shape a reader’s experience
Students will leave with a revised flash-fiction story, a practical editing process, and a clearer sense of which forms of creative writing they may want to explore next.
Why Creative Writing Skills Matter
Creative writing teaches students to make deliberate choices about what a reader knows, sees, and feels. Building a character or scene requires close observation. Shaping a plot requires cause and effect. Revising a paragraph requires deciding which words carry the story and which ones get in the way.
Those habits support communication well beyond fiction. Students learn to organize ideas, listen to feedback, explain creative decisions, and improve a draft instead of treating the first attempt as final. Reading like a writer also strengthens their ability to notice how language creates tone, perspective, and meaning.
Who Should Attend?
This course is for middle school students who have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade and enjoy stories, characters, language, or inventing their own worlds. It is a good fit for experienced young writers as well as students who want a more structured way to begin.
Students should be ready to read short pieces, write regularly, discuss craft, share work in a supportive setting, and revise a story after receiving feedback. Curiosity and willingness to experiment matter more than having a polished writing style. A completed program application is required.
Why UCLA?
UCLA gives middle-school students an energetic place to learn, have fun, and experience campus life in Los Angeles. The setting brings together science, technology, creativity, entertainment, and culture, helping new subjects feel connected to a wider world of ideas.
The program combines hands-on academics with friendships, campus activities, clear routines, and support as students become comfortable in a large university environment. Students can try new challenges, share interests with peers, and build confidence through participation without needing to decide where those interests will lead. For families, UCLA offers a structured middle-school experience that balances substantive learning with fun, community, and age-appropriate independence. Students leave with new memories and a clearer sense of what they may want to explore next.
Summer Discovery Certificate of Completion
After successfully finishing this course, you will be awarded a certification of completion for your accomplishment.
*This is a preview, not what you will receive