760-309 Theory and Practice of Fiction

25 points of second year creative writing including 760-202 Short Fiction.

This subject explores theoretical and historical approaches to the understanding and practice of narrative writing. Students will read a variety of narrative-based texts with emphasis on contemporary works. The focus of this subject is on the production of longer works of fiction.

• be able to conduct research through competent use of the library and other information sources, and through defining areas of enquiry and methods of research;

• demonstrate teamwork through joint performance preparation;

• demonstrate time management, independent organization and planning;

• communicate knowledge in oral, written and/or creative form;

• think critically and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing, workshop practice and performance and by determining the strength of an argument or approach to performance.

3000 words of narrative fiction as one or two completed works or as writing towards a longer work including an introduction discussing sources, chosen genre and the development of the assignment. The introduction will be 500 words minimum and can be deducted from the total word count. The final assignment will be handed in at the end of the semester but is also expected to be work-shopped in class. A tutorial paper of 1000 words will be presented in class during semester with a written version due at the end of semester. The final narrative fiction piece will be allocated 75% of marks, the tutorial paper 25%.