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Introduction to Writing Fiction (ENCW 2215)

Total Credits: 3
Lecture Credits: 3

Description: This course covers various aspects of writing effective fiction. In addition to working on creative self-expression, you will develop the abilities, craft and discipline needed to produce quality fiction that allows you to reach an audience: training your voice, developing a personal style, experimenting with structure, enhancing your descriptive skills, improving your command of language, and establishing techniques for revising. You will study various types of contemporary fiction: realism, surrealism, magical realism, experimental writing, children's stories and fairy tales. You will give and receive feedback in student workshops.

Topical Outline:
1. Fiction writing process and practice
2. Fiction writing activities, exercises, assignments
3. Fiction techniques and elements
4. Fiction forms
5. Reading & analyzing short works of fiction
6. Fiction’s function in the world and society

Learning Outcomes:
1. Write fiction with more skill, effectiveness, creativity, and social awareness
2. Engage in a writing process through a series of steps: generating, drafting, revising, etc.
3. Understand and use a range of fiction writing techniques and elements (e.g. description, voice, point of view, character development, plot development)
4. Understand and use a range of fiction writing forms (e.g. flash fiction, short story)
5. Work collaboratively with other writers and contribute to a creative community, particularly through full class workshops and/or small group peer review
6. Read and analyze works of fiction with more critical literacy skill, understanding their craft as well as their historical and social contexts (e.g. race, gender, class)

Prerequisites:  ENGL 1110 or ENGA 1110

MnTC: Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine Arts