Theory & Practice of Fiction (394-1-20)

Instructors

Sheila P Donohue

Meeting Info

University Hall 318: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

This first quarter of the year-long the fiction sequence is all about the short story and how it's put together. On our continuing path toward mastery of the form, we must both read actively and write regularly (every day is best). New writing will be due just about every week, and most weeks we'll discuss exciting and sometimes weird published short stories to figure out what the author is up to and what we can greedily steal. This reading and writing strategy challenges you to learn story structure; to broaden your stylistic range; to deepen your sense of what kinds of material can be brought into the work; to develop your skill in manipulating the basic elements of fiction for particular effects. Regular workshops of your story drafts will increase your ability to see your work more objectively, and to find constructive and insightful ways to help your classmates further their own writing goals. Bonus: A recent study showed that reading specifically fiction in the literary realism mode deepens people's empathy more than reading in any other genre. That's a true fact.

Teaching Method

Discussion, Workshop

Evaluation Method

Attendance, Participation, Short Story Drafts, Final Revision

Class Materials (Required)

Published short stories.

Class Notes

Note: First-class attendance mandatory. Enrollment by department consent only.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: REASON: Pre-registration is not allowed for this class. Please try again during regular registration.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required