First-Year Writing Seminar (105-8-22)

Topic

Points of View in Short Fiction

Instructors

Matthew Davis

Meeting Info

Willard Hall B72: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

In this seminar we will read, discuss, and write about short stories. Many of the stories, as well as the organizational scheme, will be taken from an unusual anthology, Points of View, edited by James Moffett and Kenneth R. McElheny. In this anthology the stories are categorized according to the mode of narration used in the story. One section of the anthology contains "interior monologues," in which we seem to be inside the main character's head, overhearing his or her thoughts; another section contains "dramatic monologues," in which we hear the narrator speaking aloud to another character; a third section contains "epistolary" stories (i.e., stories told in letters); a fourth contains stories that are made up of a series of diary entries; and so on. We will look at eleven different modes of narration in all -- and we will read two examples of most modes. As far as writing is concerned, students will learn some principles of composition and complete some brief writing exercises. The more substantial writing assignments will be two narratives and two academic essays. In the narratives students will try to tell a story using one of the modes of narration we have studied. In the academic essays, they will be asked to make a claim about one of the stories we have read and then support that claim with evidence. Each essay will be drafted, workshopped, and revised.

Class Materials (Required)

Points of View, ed Moffet etc.

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.