ENGLISH 413: FICTION FORM & THEORY
ENG 413 focuses on the narrative techniques of writing fiction. In the first third of the term we’ll study common structures and forms of the short story genre. In the second third we’ll move into experimentation and “rule breaking” (e.g.: borrowing trends from genres such as creative nonfiction, flash, and hybrid) in order to nuance the narrative rules we established early on. In the last third of the term we’ll focus on revision and re-envisioning, as well as further understanding the modes of thinking and writing that best suit the stories we wish to tell.
Developing a community of writers, as well as understanding the trust and attention needed to offer feedback on one another’s work, is key to this course. As such, paired and small-group work with your peers will happen online via discussion forums, editorial exchanges, and Zoom sessions.
Class Meetings:
- Mondays: Synchronous Class, 12:30-1:20pm (required)
- Wednesdays & Fridays: Asynchronous, on Laulima
- The instructor will also host a weekly optional writing session on Fridays from 12:30-1:20pm.
Assignments & Activities:
- reading and discussing published short fiction and essays on the craft of fiction
- submitting a minimum of 8 forum posts that study techniques for writing fiction
- drafting a minimum of 8 short creative “experiments” that focus on a single craft technique
- developing a minimum of 3 short stories, each to be submitted for workshop
- revising at least 2 short stories for inclusion in a final portfolio
- the final portfolio includes an analytical apparatus that discusses one’s inspirations, writing and revision process, and key craft techniques
Readings will be distributed for free as PDF files on Laulima.