| Unit name | Creative Writing, Prose Fiction: Representing the World |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ENGL20113 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Mimi Thebo |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of English |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
In this unit, students learn the practical skills of fiction. They will write their own original fiction and explore various forms of narrative in a supportive group environment. Informed by previous reading of fiction and their understanding of critical issues, students will also use their close reading skills to help each other develop as fiction writers in the workshop. The workshop teaching method provides each student with continual feedback and formative assessment throughout the unit. This learning experience will enable students to begin a practice of writing prose and to develop valuable insights for the study of fiction in general.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. demonstrate an understanding of the components of prose fiction and the terminology of prose construction.
2.respond to a brief and produce an original piece of creative writing.
3.evaluate the relationships between literature, culture, society and place.
4.give and take criticism in a group environment and to rework writing in light of criticism received.
1 x 2-hr workshop
2 x short stories of 1500 words, each to be submitted with first draft and workshop comments. (60%) [ILOs 1,2,3, 4]
1 x 500 word process paper outlining student craft decisions. (10%) [ILOs 1, 2, 4]
1 x 1500 word essay discussing ethical questions arising in the short story(ies) (30%) [ILO 3]
The Penguin Book of British Short Stories: from PG Woodhouse to Zadie Smith, ed. Philip Hensher
Dorothea Brande, Becoming a Writer
Francine Prose, Reading Like a Writer
James Wood, How Fiction Works
Stephen King, On Writing
