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Resonant Writing: Using Songwriting Principles to Craft Prose That Flows - W25
Date/Time/Location
This workshop will be offered online via Zoom on Wednesday, February 12, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
You will receive the Zoom link in a confirmation email once you register.
Description
Songs captivate audiences through cohesive structure, thematic alignment, and emotional resolution. What if these elements could inform your academic or creative writing? This workshop explores how songwriting principles—chorus, verse, and bridge; thematic congruence; and the arc of expectation and resolution—can enhance the cohesion, coherence, and impact of your writing. Through practical exercises and examples, participants will learn to apply these techniques to craft prose that resonates and flows like a great song.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
• Learn how to structure writing using song-inspired elements like chorus (main idea), verse (supporting points), and bridge (paragraph transitions)
• Explore strategies for maintaining logical cohesion and thematic coherence
• Understand how to build anticipation in writing and deliver a compelling conclusion, mirroring a song’s climax and resolution
Instructions
Bring a brief passage of your writing (100–200 words) that you feel could benefit from greater cohesion or coherence. You'll have the opportunity to rework this passage using the techniques discussed in the workshop.
Facilitator
Farhan Ahmed is a musician, writer and Well-Being Coach, who has recently joined the ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ Writing Centre as a tutor. Prior to moving to Montreal, Farhan was a foreign policy journalist in Bangladesh and a Market Experience Lead for Google in Singapore. In recent years, he has also worked as an editor on a number of published books. He is an experienced stage performer, with 600+ concerts, 150+ standup comedy acts and 4 improv theatre productions under his belt. In his writing workshops, Farhan draws upon his diverse experience across different fields to present novel ways of approaching the lexical craft.Â
Registration
The registration will take two (2) minutes to fill out.