This course is an advanced undergraduate writing course focused on short fiction. We will spend the bulk of the time writing fiction and evaluating student writing in a workshop format. We will use a guide to writing fiction to help students learn advanced ways of shaping stories. Time will also be spent reading published fiction as examples of craft and technique, that is, as models to learn from. Occasionally during the semester students will choose stories to analyze and present to class. The expectation here is that they will learn ways of recognizing technical choices writers make and then take this knowledge to their own writing and to the writing of their peers.
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the semester, successful students will be able to produce short fiction using common techniques of narrative voice, plotting, characterization, etc. They will be able to use appropriate terminology to discuss and analyze fiction, and narratives more generally. They will learn to work collaboratively in groups to assess and provide feedback on writing.
Students will produce a significant amount of writing such that the course fulfills the requirements of its mandatory W Focus designation.
Required Texts (tentative):
- Daniel Halpern, The Art of the Tale
- Janet Burroway and Elizabeth and Ned Stuckey-French, Writing Fiction: a Guide to Narrative Craft (Eighth Edition)
- PDFs on Laulima
Assignments and Class Work:
Students will write three short stories, each of which will be revised after workshop. Towards the end of the semester, they will choose one of these stories to further revise before turning in as the final story for the semester. This final short story will be accompanied by a revision reflection. In addition, students can expect to do regular writing exercises intended to explore techniques of narration. Each student is encouraged to be an active participant in online discussions throughout the semester. The online forum is a way to comment and continue discussions not possible during class time. The final grade will be based on the short stories, the writing exercises, class participation and attendance.