This course is no longer available to enrol. Sign up for our waitlist here to find out when it’s running again. In the meantime, check out our list of current courses or sign up for our Newsbite weekly newsletter for updates.

Join this online children’s writing course with Aleesah Darlison.

Using a mix of technical instruction, real-life examples and practical writing exercises, award-winning author Aleesah Darlison will share everything you need to know to effectively use literary devices in your children’s book writing. You’ll learn how to analyse a piece of writing to identify the literary techniques being used, and will develop your skills as you practise using various devices in your own writing.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program. This interactive online course has limited places. Book early to avoid missing out. 

Become more articulate, develop crucial writing skills, and expand your writer’s toolbox through the exploration of literary devices that work well in children’s books.

Literary devices are techniques that writers use to add layers of meaning to their stories and to create more engaging, compelling narratives. Examples include alliteration, imagery and symbolism. The use of literary devices lifts your story from the everyday ho-hum and helps ensure that it becomes more enjoyable to read, that it resonates with readers, and that it is truly memorable.

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to use key literary devices to great effect in children’s book, and how to add layers to your own writing so that it offers more to prospective publishers, child readers, teachers and parents.

Ensure that your writing stands out from the crowd and have fun discovering and playing with literary devices that readers simply love!

This course involves submitting short writing exercises, and giving and receiving peer feedback. Participants will receive limited tutor feedback.

Expected learning outcomes

Participants will:

1. Gain an understanding of various literary techniques, including those most often utilised in children’s books
2. Develop confidence in identifying literary devices
3. Build skills at effectively using literary devices through practise and feedback.

Participant requirements

Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program. Please read our FAQ before enrolling.

You do not need to log into the course at a specific time and there are no live meetings. You will receive an email with an invitation link to join the online classroom by 10am on the day the course starts.

Please expect to spend a minimum of six hours on the course, noting that the amount of time needed to read, respond to discussions, write, revise and critique will vary from person to person.

• You can complete the lesson material in your own time.
• There will be assignments which have deadlines. To be guaranteed tutor feedback, you will need to complete the assignments by the deadline.

You can find out more about the course by reading our frequently asked questions.  If you have any questions, please contact us.

Reviews

‘Aleesah’s exercises were fantastic…Her feedback has been very helpful for me, particularly her comments about the age of characters and passage of time in picture books, and her advice on sentence length. It was fantastic to be able to read other students’ work, and to borrow also from the feedback that they were receiving – a lot here to personally take away…’ – Nakita, 2022

More from Writing NSW

Check out our full range of in-person writing courses in Sydney, our online writing courses and our feedback programs to see how we can help you on your writing journey. Find out about our grants and prizes, as well as writing groups across NSW, and sign up to our weekly newsletter for writing events, opportunities and giveaways.