Course Outline for English 12B
Intermediate Fiction Writing

Effective: Fall 2020
SLO Rev: 12/21/2016
Catalog Description:

ENGL 12B - Intermediate Fiction Writing

3.00 Units

This class offers practice in writing fiction at an intermediate level. Builds on the skills developed in English 12A by requiring greater use of description, detail, character development, consistent point of view, and logical plotting that avoids cliche. Focus on developing themes that create intellectual or emotional resonance. Expectation of sentence structure, grammar, and format accuracy. Develop internal and external sources for stories and novels; analysis and criticism of published work. Requires submission for publication at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: ENGL 12A.
1507.00 - Creative Writing
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. demonstrate and develop the skills of fiction writing at an intermediate level: frequent and vivid description of place and character using appropriate simile and metaphor, properly punctuated dialogue, rounded characterization, point of view consistency, logical plotting that avoids cliche, and theme that reflects the human experience and contains emotional or intellectual resonance;
  2. demonstrate correct grammar, sentence structure, and format in the submitted pieces;
  3. identify elements of craft within published fiction and the resulting effects of those elements on other elements of fiction and on the reader, such as the relationship between craft and emotional or intellectual resonance, or the relationship between character faults and conflict in the plot;
  4. identify source material for fiction;
  5. complete at least one short story or novel excerpts of at least fifteen pages and revise it based on criticism from the instructor and the class;
  6. locate markets in which to publish one's fiction and submit to The Chabot Review (or a similar publication) following proper submission guidelines.
Course Content:
  1. Controlled assignments to enable the student to begin to approach mastery of specific elements of fiction
  2. An analysis of short stories and/or a full-length work of fiction to study the craft of fiction writing. Including: 
    1. Elements of fiction
    2. Genre
    3. Form
    4. Necessary vocabulary for criticism and self-evaluation of work
  3. Identifying and developing sources for short stories and novels
  4. Workshop of student fiction
    1. The analysis and discussion of student writing by the class and instructor
    2. Submission of at least one 15-page story or novel chapter(s) 
    3. Revision of this work based on feedback
  5. Publishing
    1. Discussion of marketing 
    2. Submitting fiction to magazines, contests, publishers, and/or agents
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Analysis and discussion of the student's work by the class and the teacher
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Group Activities
  4. Written assignments
  5. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Write a 15-page short story or novel excerpt for peer/workshop review
  2. Revise a short story based on feedback from class workshop
  3. Submit revised story to a publication
  4. Submit a written analysis comparing two short stories or novels by the same author, discussing the author's choices regarding point of view, characterization and dialogue
  1. Portfolios
  2. Oral Presentation
  3. Journals
  4. Class Work
  5. Class Participation
  6. Final Examination or Project
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. student should be able to use the elements of fiction writing to one's own work: dialogue, characterization, point of view, plotting and theme
  2. student should be able to analyze fiction from a writer's point of view
  3. student should be able to write and revise two short stories based on instructor and student critiques
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Baxter, C. (2008). Burning Down the House: Essays on Fiction (1st). Graywolf Press.
  2. Gardner, J. (1991). The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers Vintage.
  3. Burroway, Janet (2019). Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft Longman.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
This class offers practice in writing fiction at an intermediate level. Builds on the skills developed in English 12A by requiring greater use of description, detail, character development, consistent point of view, and logical plotting that avoids cliche.
Prerequisite: ENGL 12A.
Discipline:
English*