Module Information
Module Identifier
ENM6020
Module Title
Writing Fiction: Methods and Techniques
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Written Assisgnment 1 x 3500 words - 1 or 2 complete stories | 75% |
| Semester Assessment | Commentary Assignment 1 x 1500 word commentary on the fiction submitted, plus annotated bibliography (bibliography is not included in the word count) | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resubmit missing or failed written assignment 1 x 3500 words - 1 or 2 complete stories | 75% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resubmit missing or failed commentary assignment 1 x 1500 word commentary on the fiction submitted, plus annotated bibliography (bibliography is not included in the word count) | 25% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1, Demonstrate, in both creative and evaluative writing, an understanding of the methods and techniques used in fiction.
2. Demonstrate, in critical prose, an understanding of their own writing processes.
3. Improve their work in response to criticism
Aims
This module is to be expanded from five to ten weeks to fit the pattern used for MA literature modules. This will be done by splitting the existing theory / workshop sessions into separate seminars and workshops. This will increase contact time and allow a deeper exploration of the issues covered.
Brief description
This module offers the opportunity to assess and practise a range of approaches to the writing of fiction, with appropriate reference to the work of contemporary writers. Members of the group will be expected Members of the group will be expected to pursue a programme of reading from the recommended texts provided; and to present fortnightly, for comment and supportive criticism by the group, anticipatory work carried out during the preceding week and geared to the focal concerns of the coming session. The module will consist of five 2-hour seminars and five 2-hour workshops.
Estimated Student Workload:
Contact time: 20.5 hours
Preparation time: 80 hours
Estimated Student Workload:
Contact time: 20.5 hours
Preparation time: 80 hours
Content
Seminar 1: Kinds of Fiction
Examining a selection of excerpts from contemporary novels, we shall consider questions of genre, register and tone.
Workshop 1: Kinds of Fiction
Students will produce a passage of a story for workshop.
Seminar 2: Narratives and Narrators, Point of View and Voice
Using another selection of extracts, discussion will focus on questions of voice, viewpoint and the structuring of narrative.
Workshop 2: Narratives and Narrators, Point of View and Voice
Students will rewrite a fairytale for workshopping, choosing from a range of tenses and narrative modes.
Seminar 3: Shaping Plot
Using summaries of the plots of published stories, discussion will focus on plot and structure in the short story genre.
Workshop 3: Shaping Plot
Students will plan a short story in detail using Randy Ingermanson’s “snowflake” method, and the resulting plans will be workshopped.
Seminar 4: Shaping Characters
Using a selection of extracts, discussion will focus on the creation of character in fiction.
Workshop 4: Shaping Characters
Students will produce character summaries for the main characters in their stories, following Ingermanson’s method, and these will be workshopped.
Seminar 5: Writing Dialogue
Using a selection of extracts, discussion will focus on the use of dialogue in fiction.
Workshop 5: Writing Dialogue
Students will produce passages of dialogue between the characters in their stories, to be workshopped.
Examining a selection of excerpts from contemporary novels, we shall consider questions of genre, register and tone.
Workshop 1: Kinds of Fiction
Students will produce a passage of a story for workshop.
Seminar 2: Narratives and Narrators, Point of View and Voice
Using another selection of extracts, discussion will focus on questions of voice, viewpoint and the structuring of narrative.
Workshop 2: Narratives and Narrators, Point of View and Voice
Students will rewrite a fairytale for workshopping, choosing from a range of tenses and narrative modes.
Seminar 3: Shaping Plot
Using summaries of the plots of published stories, discussion will focus on plot and structure in the short story genre.
Workshop 3: Shaping Plot
Students will plan a short story in detail using Randy Ingermanson’s “snowflake” method, and the resulting plans will be workshopped.
Seminar 4: Shaping Characters
Using a selection of extracts, discussion will focus on the creation of character in fiction.
Workshop 4: Shaping Characters
Students will produce character summaries for the main characters in their stories, following Ingermanson’s method, and these will be workshopped.
Seminar 5: Writing Dialogue
Using a selection of extracts, discussion will focus on the use of dialogue in fiction.
Workshop 5: Writing Dialogue
Students will produce passages of dialogue between the characters in their stories, to be workshopped.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Oral through workshop and seminar discussion, written through assignment |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Through revision of work in response to workshop feedback |
| Information Technology | Through Blackboard and wordprocessing skills |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Through critical reflection and the development of transferable communication skills. |
| Problem solving | Through dealing with problems of writing and research |
| Research skills | Through online research |
| Subject Specific Skills | Creative writing (fiction), literary research and criticism |
| Team work | Through co-operation in workshops and seminars |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7