Maricopa Community Colleges  CRW170   19962-99999 

Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 10-24-1995

CRW170  1996 Spring – 2011 Fall

LEC  3.0 Credit(s)  3.0 Period(s)  3.0 Load  Acad

Introduction to Writing Fiction

Practice in writing fiction through a process of prewriting (invention and discovery), writing, analysis and evaluation (in workshop), and revision; practice in manipulating various elements and forms of fiction; production of marketable quality short fiction.

Prerequisites: None. CRW150 recommended but not required.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

 

CRW170  1996 Spring – 2011 Fall

Introduction to Writing Fiction

 

1.

Define the following terms as they apply to the writing of fiction: story, plot, conflict, crisis, resolution, scene, and subplot. (I)

2.

Use a variety of methods to create a tentative storyline or plot for a work of fiction. (I)

3.

Analyze and evaluate the plausibility and effectiveness of plots in works of fiction by students and professionals. (I)

4.

Use several revision techniques to revise the student's own plot outline or forecast. (I)

5.

Write examples of exposition, summary, and description in a work of fiction. (II)

6.

Distinguish between showing and telling; write example of both in a work of fiction. (II)

7.

Write examples of stream of consciousness, dialogue, and flashback. (II)

8.

Effectively use transitional devices to move from scene to scene in a work of fiction. (II)

9.

Describe the following character types: protagonist, antagonist, foil, confidant(e), round, and flat. (III)

10.

Use a variety of direct and indirect methods to develop character in a work of fiction. (III)

11.

Analyze and evaluate the consistency, believability, and complexity of character in fictional work of the student's own and in that of others. (III)

12.

Use several revision techniques to improve character development in a fictional work of the student's own. (III)

13.

Explain the function of setting and atmosphere to create conflict and develop theme in a fictional work. (IV)

14.

Effectively use setting to create conflict and/or develop theme in a work of fiction. (IV)

15.

Analyze and evaluate the use of setting in the student's own fiction, and in that of others. (IV)

16.

Use several revision techniques to improve the use of setting in the student's own work of fiction. (IV)

17.

Describe the elements of point of view in a work of fiction. (V)

18.

Describe the various types and forms of point of view that may be used in fiction. (V)

19.

Analyze and evaluate the use of point of view in the student's own fiction and in that of others. (V)

20.

Use several revision techniques to improve the use of point of view in the student's own fiction. (V)

21.

Use the following elements to develop theme and meaning in a work of fiction: cultural/historical context, symbolism, and tone. (VI)

22.

Interpret and evaluate the theme in one's own fiction and in that of others. (VI)

23.

Use several revision techniques to improve the development of theme in the student's own fiction. (VI)

24.

Describe several different types of fiction. (VII)

25.

Identify resources that may help fiction writers develop their craft and market their fiction. (VIII)

26.

Identify several different markets for fiction. (VIII)

27.

Submit fiction in standard manuscript form. (VIII)

28.

Explain U.S. copyright laws as they apply to fiction. (VIII)

29.

Explain the writer's responsibilities in avoiding plagiarism, acquiring permission to use copyrighted material, and in engaging in contracts. (VIII)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:

 

CRW170  1996 Spring – 2011 Fall

Introduction to Writing Fiction

 

I. Developing Plot

A. Elements of story and plot

1. Conflict, crisis, and resolution

2. Plausibility

3. Scene

4. Subplot

B. Methods

1. Outlining

2. Following models and formulae

3. Causal sequence

4. Picaresque

5. Story without plot

C. Analyzing plot

D. Evaluating plot

E. Revision techniques

II. Narrative Techniques

A. Exposition, summary, and description

B. Showing and telling

C. Stream of consciousness

D. Dialogue

E. Transitions

F. Flashbacks

III. Developing Character

A. Character types

1. Protagonist, hero, main character

2. Antagonist, villain

3. Foil

4. Confidant(e)

5. Round

6. Flat

B. Methods

1. Indirect

2. Direct

C. Analyzing character

D. Evaluating character

1. Consistency

2. Believability

3. Complexity

E. Revision techniques

IV. Creating Setting and Atmosphere

A. Time

1. Choosing appropriate time setting

2. Accuracy

3. Transitions

B. Place

1. Choosing appropriate place

2. Accuracy

3. Methods of describing

C. Using setting to create conflict

D. Using setting to develop theme

E. Analyzing setting

F. Evaluating setting

G. Revision techniques

V. Manipulating Point of View

A. Elements of point of view

1. Author

2. Narrator

3. Target audience

4. Tense

B. Types

1. First person

2. Second person

3. Third person, limited omniscient

4. Third person, totally omniscient

5. Dramatic

C. Forms

1. Written story

2. Spoken story

3. Letter

4. Journal or diary

5. Interior monologue

D. Analyzing point of view

E. Evaluating point of view

F. Revision techniques

VI. Developing Theme and Meaning

A. Cultural/historical context

B. Symbolism

C. Tone

D. Interpreting theme

E. Evaluating theme

F. Revision techniques

VII. Types of Stories

VIII. Marketing Fiction

A. Writers' resources

B. Fiction markets

C. Manuscript form

D. Publishing and copyright

 

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