20801241Creative Writing/Fiction
Course Information
Description
Students develop skills in writing prose fiction including character development, scene structure, dialogue and dramatic tension as they build toward the construction and revision of short stories, novellas, etc. Reading assignments allow students to become familiar with principles and practices of fiction. Class meetings follow a workshop format.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Create Original Fiction: Write original short stories that demonstrate creativity, genre awareness, and narrative control
    Assessment Strategies
    Written creative works
    Criteria
    Write original fiction that demonstrates a distinct voice, creative risk-taking, and narrative cohesion
    Apply core fiction elements, including character motivation, setting, plot structure, conflict, and resolution
    Create dynamic characters with clear desires, internal/external conflicts, and credible arcs
    Construct vivid, story-appropriate settings that influence plot and character
    Use narrative structure to shape compelling plots
    Demonstrate control over point of view (e.g., first person, second-person, third-person)
    Describe how point of view influences readers’ perceptions
    Develop a genre-appropriate tone and effective pacing and style across drafts

  2. Develop Core Fiction Techniques: Apply essential fiction-writing techniques to create engaging, immersive narratives
    Assessment Strategies
    Written, oral, and/or self-assessment
    Criteria
    Use showing vs. telling strategies to develop character, setting, and emotional impact
    Employ concrete sensory details to build immersive and credible scenes
    Develop effective dialogue that reveals subtext, character traits, and tension
    Control scene construction, using beats, turning points, and transitions to sustain reader interest
    Integrate backstory and exposition smoothly through action or reflection
    Shape narrative pacing to match story stakes, tone, and emotional intensity
    Discuss how craft decisions (e.g., tense, voice, structure) impact readers’ experiences

  3. Develop Voice and Style: Develop a distinct narrative voice and style through experimentation with literary techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Written, oral, and/or self-assessment
    Criteria
    Experiment with narrative distance, emotional expression, and stream of consciousness when developing characters
    Explore sentence variation, syntax, figurative language, and tone to refine style
    Establish and maintain a consistent voice appropriate to narrator, character, or story tone
    Develop a recognizable style through word choice, rhythm, and diction
    Take risks in writing to deepen theme, irony, or psychological complexity

  4. Use the Writing Process: Implement stages of the fiction writing process, from idea generation to polished final drafts
    Assessment Strategies
    Written, oral, graphic, and/or self-assessment
    Criteria
    Generate imaginative story ideas through creative brainstorming (e.g., mind-mapping, what-if questions, character sketches)
    Revise for structure, character arc, and scene structure
    Edit for clarity, style, voice consistency, and narrative rhythm
    Proofread for mechanics, grammar, and syntax, preparing the story for potential submission

  5. Peer Review and Feedback: Use and generate feedback to improve your fiction drafts
    Assessment Strategies
    Written, oral, self-assessment, and/or discussion
    Criteria
    Create specific feedback that is constructive and kind
    Generate/ask clarifying questions that support the writer’s intent
    Analyze constructive criticism, recognizing areas for revision
    Demonstrate effective listening, speaking, and/or writing within peer work group

  6. Revise and Edit Work: Use instructor and peer feedback to finalize your fiction drafts
    Assessment Strategies
    Written, oral, and/or self-assessment
    Criteria
    Revise your stories by addressing plot logic, scene pacing, character depth, and emotional stakes
    Make substantial structural changes where needed, rather than surface-level edits
    Edit for prose economy, removing redundancy and enhancing rhythm
    Edit tone and diction to align with the story’s mood and purpose
    Final, polished drafts show evidence of improvement from earlier versions
    Written reflection includes analysis of revision decisions and craft development

  7. Reflect on Writing Practices: Analyze your fiction-writing practices and growth as a writer, setting goals for future improvement
    Assessment Strategies
    Written reflections and/or self-assessment
    Criteria
    Identify strengths and areas for improvement in fiction writing
    Explain how specific feedback informed revision choices
    Analyze patterns in storytelling
    Goals address specific fiction techniques

  8. Contribute to Creative Communities: Collaborate with other writers
    Assessment Strategies
    Discussion, written reflections, and/or self-assessment
    Criteria
    Provide written and verbal feedback during workshops
    Generate comments on peers’ work
    Revise your work based on feedback and be open to receiving feedback
    Explain strategies for submitting fiction to campus literary journals or external venues
    Show interest in the broader literary environment beyond your own work

  9. Analyze Published Works of Fiction
    Assessment Strategies
    Written analysis and/or skill demonstration (reading)
    Criteria
    Study/read published short fiction to examine use of theme, symbolism, scene construction, and narrative tension
    Analyze how authors build character complexity and maintain narrative focus
    Identify techniques such as foreshadowing or flashback
    Explore how historical, cultural, and social contexts influence narrative choices
    Articulate how published work might influence your own creative decisions