The NoSleep subreddit, which celebrated its ten-year anniversary this last March, is well known for being a quality source of short horror fiction, even outside of Reddit. Following a very specific set of guidelines, it is strictly moderated, and there is a list of themes that are not allowed to be story focuses. In addition, comments are only allowed on the stories if they are reacting to the story as if it were a real event.
Analyzing the Reddit r/nosleep Story on Outschool.
In this one-time class learners will analyze what makes NoSleep stories successful.
Learners will read a list of stories before class, and then in class we will examine what makes stories on the subreddit so successful, as well as what kind of stories that we find the most intriguing and why. We examine the components of how the stories are built, how they fit into the guidelines, and why some stories – or series – are successful. We will also look at some of the most successful authors on r/nosleep, and see if we can figure out the reason for their success.
NOTE: For this particular class, the age range is not flexible.
Writing the Reddit r/nosleep Story on Outschool.
In this three-week class learners will analyze, discuss, and write NoSleep stories
For the first week, learners will read a list of stories before class, and then in class we will examine what makes stories on the subreddit so successful, as well as what kind of stories that we find the most intriguing and why. We will examine the components of how the stories are built, how they fit into the guidelines, and why some stories – or series – are successful. We will also look at some of the most successful authors on r/nosleep, and see if we can figure out the reason for their success.
In the second week of this class, we will read more examples and discuss the story outlines learners wrote after the prior week’s class. Learners will provide constructive feedback on each others’ story concepts, including things that can make the stories more believable.
For the third week, learners will share their completed NoSleep stories, discuss what worked for them, what works well in each others’ stories, and what they have learned from writing within these strict guidelines.
NOTE: For this particular class, the age range is not flexible.