ENG 201 - Creative Writing: Beginning Fiction Workshop

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Build on the craft elements of writing fiction introduced in ENG 200. Complete weekly exercises designed to teach important aspects of structure, tone, point-of-view, imagery, metaphor, character development, plot and voice. Develop a portfolio of short stories and/or chapters for a novel. Practice the workshop method to discuss student writing, foster critical thinking and develop individual styles.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 200 or permission of department chair.

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Apply a conscious process to writing original fiction
- Use effective prewriting techniques
- Apply research and invention strategies to create works of original fiction
- Use the computer effectively in the composition process
- Demonstrate an understanding of the process through which elements of reality become elements of fiction
Develop proficiency with elements of style to enhance original fiction
- Identify the difference between showing and telling
- Identify the difference between showing and telling
- Analyze the styles of successful writers
Create competent original fiction
- Demonstrate an understanding of the creation and development of character
- Write convincing and effective dialogue
- Demonstrate an understanding of conflict and resolution in plotting
- Demonstrate an understanding of the differences in scope and purpose of the short story and novel
- Demonstrate an understanding of elements of narration, such as point-of-view and degrees of objectivity and omniscience
- Use setting purposefully to support plot, characterization, or theme
- Create theme through the careful use of elements of fiction, such as style, plot, characterization, and setting
Evaluate one’s own and others’ works of fiction effectively
- Analyze one’s own and others’ works of fiction to improve style, plot, characterization, setting, theme, etc.
- Analyze one’s own and others’ works of fiction to improve style, plot, characterization, setting, theme, etc.
- Apply criticism to the revision of one’s own work
Understand the business of fiction writing
- Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of agents and publishers
- Demonstrate an understanding of the submission process
- Write effective query letters and other submission correspondence

Core Competencies
Core 1 Communication Core 3 Information Literacy Core 6 Scientific Reasoning Core 8 Social and Civic Responsibility Core 9 Global Perspective