Official Course
Description: MCCCD Approval: 4/11/89 |
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ENG183
1989 Fall - 9999 |
LEC |
3 Credit(s) |
3 Period(s) |
Basic
Manuscript Writing: Fiction |
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Basic
skills and techniques used by the professional fiction writer in writing
fiction for publication, including characterization, plot development,
writing dialogue, setting scenes, and establishing mood. Emphasis on writing
scenes. Prerequisites: None. Course Notes: ENG183 may be repeated for
a total of six (6) credit hours. |
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Go to Competencies Go to Outline
MCCCD
Official Course Competencies: |
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ENG183 1989
Fall - 9999 |
Basic Manuscript Writing: Fiction |
1.
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Describe what is involved in a professional writing career
including attitudes and skills an author should possess. (I) |
2.
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Write scenes using the techniques of characterization to
identify and describe a character. (II) |
3.
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Write a sketch which describes the plot for a story
including, the type of character, his/her outer problems and inner conflicts.
(III, IV) |
4.
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Identify and describe the story types. (V) |
5.
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Summarize a character's actions and motivation as they
relate to fulfilling basic needs. (VI) |
6.
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Describe the use and function of scenes in fiction
writing. (VII) |
7.
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Compare and contrast the different types of viewpoints and
their uses. (VIII) |
8.
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Write scenes, selecting a suitable point of view. (VIII) |
9.
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Write paragraphs illustrating the use of past and present
tense. (IX) |
10.
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Write a scene which effectively shows emotion through the
use os description and dialogue. (X, XI) |
11.
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Apply techniques for writing realistic dialogue. (XI) |
12.
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Describe ordinary and/or unusual settings, using ambiance
and sensory perception to create effective scenes. (XII, XIII) |
13.
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Write a scene in which a flashback occurs including the use
of an action or symbol to trigger the flashback and a transition to bring the
story back to the present. (XIV, XV) |
14.
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Identify transitions in own writing and the writing of
others. (XV) |
15.
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Rewrite a paragraph using cadence to achieve a different
effect. (XIV) |
16.
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Write a rough draft for a short story incorporating the
appropriate writing techniques. (I - XVI) |
Go to Description Go to top of
Competencies
MCCCD
Official Course Outline: |
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ENG183 1989
Fall - 9999 |
Basic Manuscript Writing: Fiction |
I. Fiction Writing as a
Career A. Characteristics of an
Author 1. Love of Writing 2. Dedication to Task 3. Ability 4. Ability to Accept
Criticism B. Struggles and Rewards of
a Writing Career 1. Amount of Time Required 2. Earnings C. Important Information
Sources 1. Writers' Market 2. Writers' Magazine 3. Publishers' Weekly 4. Using Sources to Choose
Your Market II. Characterization A. Role of Characterization
in Fiction B. Developing Interesting
Characters 1. Opposing Traits In a
Character 2. Traits Which Make the
Character Unique 3. Character Creation, Not
Copies of Real People III. Sources of Ideas for
Stories A. Writing What You Know
About B. Researching What You
Don't Know About 1. Detail About Time and
Place 2. Examine Events for Cause
and Effect C. Finding An Interesting
Person, Situation, or Setting D. Adapting True Stories IV. Plot is Character in
Action and Conflict A. Stories With Structure:
Beginning Middle, and End B. Main Character-Problem
or Conflict 1. Change In His/Her Life 2. Humans Against Society,
Himself/Herself, Nature, or God 3. Struggle Revealed
Through Plot 4. Plot Non-existent
Without Action V. Types of Stories A. Action - Emphasis On
Physical Action B. Didactic - Intended to
Convey a Message C. Episodic - Episode Which
Becomes a Turning Point In the Character's Life D. Plotted - Romance,
Mystery, Western, and Science Fiction 1. Initial Situation 2. Complication 3. Conflict 4. Development 5. Climax and Outcome E. Psychological -
Emphasizes Character 1. Stream of Consiousness Story 2. Conflict in
Protagonist's Thoughts F. Unplotted
- Emphasizes Mood VI. Motivation A. Plot Weak Unless Motives
Are Compelling B. Basic Needs Motivates
Characters to Certain Actions 1. Need to Love and Be
Loved 2. Need to Belong 3. Need to Achieve 4. Need for Security 5. Need to Know VII. Scenes A. Used to Dramatize Rather
Than Just Tell B. Must Have Conflict C. Must Be Clear 1. Time Frame 2. Place and Season D. Mod - Fear, Excitement,
Worry, Mystery E. Eliminate Trivial
Details VIII. Character Viewpoint A. Third Person - Narration
1. Conveys Idea That Story
Is In One Person's Mind 2. Gives Author More
Freedom 3. Most Versatile and
Easiest to Use B. First Person - "I
Viewpoint" 1. All Thinking done by
"I" Character 2. Allows Author to Get
Deep Into Character's Thoughts 3. Requires Author to
Realistically Portray Character's Feelings C. Omnicient
Viewpoint 1. Thoughts of More Than
One Person 2. Usually Important
Characters D. Second Person View Point
IX. Tenses - Past and
Present X. Emotions A. Emotions Should Be
Intense B. Use Outward Behavior and
Reactions of character C. Strong or Important
Scenes Need to Be Built Up In Advance XI. Dialogue A. Functions of Dialogue 1. It Should Sound Natural 2. It Should Advance Story
- Give Information 3. It Should Characterize a. Give Information About
Feelings b. Education B. When Writing Dialogue,
Give a Separate Line to Each Speaker C. Beware of Dialect XII. Ambiance A. Allows Reader to
Experience the Setting 1. Time of year 2. Weather 3. Smell and Feel B. Some Must Occur In
Opening Scene XIII. Sensory Perception A. Use to Involve Reader
and Stimulate Senses 1. Taste, Smell, Feel,
Sound, and Color 2. Set Mood B. Adds Color and Interest
to Dull Scenes XIV. Flashbacks A. Transitions Between Past
and Present B. Long Flashbacks - Short
Story Within the Story C. Short Flashbacks - Use
Only Important Details XV. Transitions A. Used to Shift Scenes and
Bridge Time B. Used to Make Writing
Flow XVI. Orchestration A. Cadence - Sentence
Structure and Length 1. Used to Evoke Feeling 2. Choice of Words and Word
Order 3. Punctuation B. Style 1. Not WHAT you deal with,
but HOW 2. The Way An Author thinks
and Uses Words C. Rule of Three 1. Settling Conflicts 2. Use of Primary
Characters |