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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Introduction to Writing Fiction
Course: CRW170

First Term: 2017 Summer
 Lecture   3.0 Credit(s)   3.0 Period(s)   3.0 Load  
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load


Description: 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.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Define and analyze the following concepts as they apply to the writing of fiction: story, plot, conflict, crisis, resolution, plausibility, and subplot. (I)
2. Apply analysis of plot to create a storyline and evaluate the plausibility and efficacy of storylines in one`s own fiction and in that of others. (I)
3. Define and analyze narrative techniques, including exposition, summary, and description. (II)
4. Use several different narrative techniques to write scenes in fiction. (II)
5. Practice use of dialogue, transitional devices, and flashbacks in a work of fiction. (II)
6. Define, identify and evaluate character types in fiction, analyzing their cultural significance. (III)
7. Use a variety of direct and indirect methods to develop characters in a work of fiction. (III)
8. Analyze and evaluate the consistency, believability, and complexity of character in one`s own fictional work, and fictional work of others. (III)
9. Analyze and evaluate the use of setting in one`s own fictional work, and fictional work of others. (IV)
10. Describe the various types and forms of point of view that may be used in fiction. (V)
11. Analyze and evaluate the use of point of view in one`s own fictional work, and fictional work of others. (V)
12. Practice approaches to point of view in various forms of fiction, and analyze choices in determining point of view for final products. (V)
13. Interpret and evaluate the theme in one`s own fictional work, and fictional work of others. (VI)
14. Use the following elements to develop theme and meaning in a work of fiction: cultural/historical context, symbolism, and tone. (VI)
15. Identify resources that may help fiction writers develop their craft and market their fiction. (VII)
16. Produce and submit fiction in standard manuscript form. (VII)
17. Explain U.S. copyright laws as they apply to fiction. (VII)
18. Explain the writer`s responsibilities in avoiding plagiarism, acquiring permission to use copyrighted material, and in engaging in contracts. (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Plot
   A. Analyzing Plot
      1. Conflict, crisis, and resolution
      2. Plausibility
      3. Subplot
   B. Applying Plot Techniques
      1. Outlining
      2. Following models and formulae
      3. Causal sequence
      4. Experimental / innovative techniques
         a. Picaresque
         b. Story without plot
   C. Writing with plot
II. Narrative
   A. Exposition, summary, and description
   B. Showing and telling
   C. Scene
   D. Dialogue
   E. Transitions
   F. Flashbacks
III. Character
   A. Types
      1. Protagonist, hero, main character
      2. Antagonist, villain
      3. Foil
      4. Confidante
      5. Round and flat, static and dynamic
      6. Unreliable, sympathetic
   B. Methods of characterization
      1. Indirect
      2. Direct
   C. Character analysis
      1. Consistency
      2. Believability
      3. Complexity
      4. Cultural Significance
IV. Setting and Atmosphere
   A. Time
      1. Appropriate temporal setting
      2. Accuracy
      3. Transitions
   B. Place
      1. Choosing appropriate place
      2. Accuracy
      3. Setting description
   C. Setting and Conflict
   D. Setting and Theme
   E. Analyzing Setting
V. Point of View
   A. Elements of point of view
      1. Author
      2. Narrator
      3. Audience
      4. Tense
   B. Types
      1. First person
      2. Second person
      3. Third person, limited omniscient
      4. Third person, fully omniscient
   C. Analyzing point of view
   D. Forms
      1. Written story
      2. Spoken story
      3. Letter
      4. Journal or diary
      5. Interior monologue
   E. Choosing point of view for writing
VI. Theme and Meaning
   A. Analyzing Theme
      1. Tropes and Common Themes
      2. Finding and Evaluating Theme
      3. Interpreting Theme
      4. Cultural/Historical Context
   B. Writing Theme
      1. Techniques for embedding theme
      2. Revising for integration of theme
VII. Marketing Fiction
   A. The submission process
   B. Researching publisher markets
   C. Self publishing and Alternative markets
   D. Manuscript formats
   E. Types of copyright and Author rights
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 28, 2017

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.