Techniques of Fiction
ENGL 296
Spring 2025
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01
02
03
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This introduction to the elements of fiction and a range of authors is for students who want to write and, through writing, increase their understanding and appreciation of a variety of short stories.
This is a class for those with a deep love of the written word and a boundless curiosity for what transpires when the imagination is given room to roam. We will work together to develop certain skills: a poet's love of metaphor and gift of compression; a playwright's sense of dramatic tension; an essayist's penchant for startling observations and investigation; and a translator's attention to meaning and language. We'll attend to the customary struggles of fiction writers: moving people around in time and space; showing rather than explaining; giving people things to say that sounds natural and revelatory; and making sure everybody wants something they can't have and shouldn't get. In other words, we will be looking at elements of fiction such as action, character development, plot, dialogue, and description. We'll be reading short stories by the acknowledged experts. And we will be focusing intensely on revision as an act of re-visioning your stories. I repeat: Be prepared to revise. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ENGL |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (ENGL)(ENGL-Creative W)(ENGL-Literature) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Less than 50% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Students will provide copies of their own stories to their classmates. They will also read stories by Yoko Ogawa, Edward P. Jones, Diane Cook, Zadie Smith, Carmen Maria Machado, Te-Ping Chen and other writers.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Students will submit two short stories to the workshop and write one revision as a final project. Other assignments include constructive oral critique and response letters on peer submissions, as well as short writing exercises. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Contributes to the fulfillment of ENGL major requirements: CW requirement, CW path course (but not 300-level course or upper-level workshop.) The English department highly recommends that students be enrolled in only one CW course in a semester. If you are admitted to more than one CW course, the department requests that you choose one and let the instructors know during Adjustment Period. By doing so you will be considerate of instructors and other students.
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| Instructor(s): Heng,Rachel Times: ...W... 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: SCIE184; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 6 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 1 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: 2 | FR: 2 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 25 | 1st Ranked: 8 | 2nd Ranked: 8 | 3rd Ranked: 6 | 4th Ranked: 3 | Unranked: 0 |
| SECTION 02 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Handouts |
Examinations and Assignments:
Final Portfolio |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course contributes to the fulfillment of ENG major requirements: CW requirement, CW path course (but not 300-level course or upper-level workshop)
The English department highly recommends that students be enrolled in only one CW course in a semester. If you are admitted to more than one CW course, the department requests that you choose one and let the instructors know during Adjustment Period. By doing so you will be considerate of instructors and other students. |
| Instructor(s): Mengiste,Maaza Times: ..T.... 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: RLANB2; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 3 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 1 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: 4 | FR: 3 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 8 | 1st Ranked: 3 | 2nd Ranked: 3 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 2 | Unranked: 0 |
| SECTION 03 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Handouts |
Examinations and Assignments:
Final Portfolio |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course contributes to the fulfillment of ENG major requirements: CW requirement, CW path course (but not 300-level course or upper-level workshop)
The English department highly recommends that students be enrolled in only one CW course in a semester. If you are admitted to more than one CW course, the department requests that you choose one and let the instructors know during Adjustment Period. By doing so you will be considerate of instructors and other students. |
| Instructor(s): Mengiste,Maaza Times: ..T.... 08:50AM-11:40AM; Location: PAC116; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 3 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 1 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: 4 | FR: 3 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 6 | 1st Ranked: 4 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 1 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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