50123 Narrative Writing

Handbook description

This subject emphasises narrative development with close attention to the relationship between structure and content in traditional and experimental fiction, building on work done in Writing: Style and Structure. Craft skills appropriate to narrative writing continue to be developed through exercises and sustained work on pieces of fiction and non-fiction, along with consideration of editing and principles of revision. The focus of the class is the students' own work. A range of narrative writing is read and discussed, integrating practical work with critical reflection on the processes of narrative writing. This is a core subject for students in the Writing Strand. It is also appropriate for postgraduate writing students in other areas wishing to develop their writing through exercises and sustained work.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students are expected to:

1. be able to produce an extended piece of narrative fiction
2. bring focussed critical skills to bear on their own and other's fiction narratives
3. develop original ideas in narrative form
4. understand how to revise and edit their own work
5. have developed some level of reading knowledge in relation to a variety of narrative forms

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject

• enhances specific and general skills in writing
• develops a knowledge of specific genres of writing
• encourages a practical understanding of aesthetic debates
• enhances critical and creative thought in relation to contemporary writing

Teaching and learning strategies

Sessions 1-8 will include a lecture about and discussion of the week's topic, followed by a writing workshop, in which students will critically discuss their own short pieces of writing relating to the week's topic.

They will also be asked to read and talk about a range of short fiction and other short narrative pieces throughout the semester. Students will be asked to present a brief seminar on a chosen text, analysing its strengths and weaknesses from a writer's perspective. Research seminars will be scheduled for presentation during weeks 4 – 14.

After initial exercises to develop craft skills, they will be asked to work on a sustained piece of narrative fiction of their own, developing it through several drafts. This work will be intensively workshopped through the class weeks 10-14 though sections may be introduced into the class in workshops during earlier weeks. The writing is submitted as the final and major element of the subject's assignments for assessment. It must be an original piece, written specifically in the context of this class.

Assessment

All work to be handed in for assessment must:

• be printed or typed on A4 paper with wide left and right hand margins,
• be double-spaced
• be on single sided pages
• must include page numbers.

In order to meet the requirements of the Writing area for the presentation of your written work it is strongly recommended that you refer to the Writing and Cultural Studies Style Guide.

Assignment 1: Minor assignments: 600-700 word exercises

Assignment 2: Major assignment: 2000 word narrative

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Attendance is particularly important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students who attend fewer than ten classes are advised that their final work will not be assessed and that they are likely to fail the subject.

Required text(s)

The following three texts are required reading. They are available at the University Co-op Bookshop, Broadway

Lodge, David The Art of Fiction

Turgenev, Ivan Fathers and Sons

Joyce, James Dubliners

Recommended text(s)

Adelaide, Debra The Household Guide to Dying

NB: There is no course reader for this subject. As well as the set texts, all writing students are expected to read widely in fiction and non-fiction