English 292                                                                     Instructor:   Scott Onak
Spring 2010                                                                          Office:   126 Brink Hall

TLC 244                                                                    Office Hours:   MW 1:30-2:30 and by appt.

MWF: 12:30-1:20                                                                  Email:   sonak@vandals.uidaho.edu 

Syllabus – English 292: Introduction to Fiction Writing

Course Goals:

Our main goal is to better understand what makes a short story work.  And to do that, we must look at the parts—the foundational elements—that make up the whole.

The course, then, will introduce you to these foundational elements.  Close reading of the textbook and numerous examples of published stories will help us discover how each element—point of view, setting, characterization, plot, among others—contributes to the creation of a satisfying work of fiction.

Emphasis will be placed on weekly writing exercises that allow you to practice and gain skill with each component.  You will then use these techniques to write a complete short story.

 

Expectations:

1.  Careful reading and thoughtful discussion of assigned textbook chapters and short stories.

2.  Completion of weekly exercises that focus on particular elements of short fiction (e.g. characterization, setting, point of view).

3.  Completion of one 8-10 page short story.

4.  Thoughtful discussion of classmates’ stories during workshop sessions.

 

Textbook:

Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft, Janet Burroway and Elizabeth Stuckey-French, 7th edition.
Grading:

Grades will be calculated on a 400-point system:

A = 360 - 400

B = 320 - 359

C = 280 – 319

D = 240 - 279

F = below 240

 

Here is the distribution of points:

Writing exercises: roughly one per week (200 points)

Short story: 6-10 pages (100 points)

Participation in class discussion and study questions about the readings (50 points)

Written critiques of classmates’ short stories (30 points)

Written response to a literary reading on campus (20 points)

Attendance policy: 8 points will be deducted for each absence.

 

Assignment Format:

All assignments must be typed and double-spaced with 1” margins.  Include a heading with your name, my name, and the course number.