Kishotenketsu: The Four-Act Structure
3 Hours • with Elwin Cotman • Intermediate / All Genres
Available spots
Class Description
Ever felt constrained by the traditional/Western three-act structure of storytelling (set-up, confrontation, resolution?) Explore a new approach to scaffolding your stories in this upcoming one-day workshop with award-winning author Elwin Cotman. In this generative class, students will learn about the four-act structure kishotenketsu, used in classical Chinese, Korean, and Japanese narratives, and characterized by an introduction (Ki), development (Shō), twist or turn of events (Ten), and a conclusion (Ketsu). Students will learn examples of kishotenketsu and write their own work based around the form, starting with outlining and expanding into scene writing. Students will come away with a greater knowledge of kishotenketsu, and ideas for two pieces of writing. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR Elwin Cotman is a storyteller from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the author of five books: the poetry collection The Wizard’s Homecoming, and the short story collections The Jack Daniels Sessions EP, Hard Times Blues, Dance on Saturday, and Weird Black Girls. His debut novel The Age of Ignorance will be published by Scribner in 2025. He has worked as a video game consultant and writer for Square Enix. He holds a BA from the University of Pittsburgh and a MFA from Mills College.
Upcoming Sessions
Cancellation Policy
If you withdraw from a workshop TEN DAYS OR MORE before the start of the class: You'll receive credit toward another workshop (minus 10% transaction fee) OR a full refund (minus 10% transaction fee). The transaction fee is non-refundable for PVWW, so this is something we must apply to all refunds and transfers. If you withdraw from a workshop nine days before the start of the class up until 48 hours before: You'll receive a refund minus 20%. If you withdraw from a workshop less than 48 hours before the start of a class or after the class has begun: We cannot offer credit or any refund. If you are absent on the day of your workshop or miss it for any reason, we are unable to offer any kind of refund or credit. If we have to cancel a class you have paid for, you will receive a full refund, without the service charge deducted. For our full listing of policies, visit www.PioneerValleyWriters.Com, Policies page (under Home). To withdraw and receive a partial refund according to the above, please get in touch with us at admin@pioneervalleywriters.com
Contact Details
joy@pioneervalleywriters.org