Techniques of Fiction
ENGL 296
Fall 2025
| Section:
01
02
03
|
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. In this course, we will learn how to write and revise short pieces of fiction. To achieve this goal, we will constantly be working on creating and editing our own fiction, and we will perform various writing exercises. Moreover, we will read our colleagues' short stories and offer them thoughtful, generous, and rigorous feedback. Finally, we will scrutinize stories by veteran authors in order to understand some integral elements of fiction writing. Upon completing this course, students will have a deeper understanding of the process-oriented nature of crafting successful prose. They should also have a more profound knowledge of concepts like plot, dialogue, character, and interiority. |
|
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ENGL |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
|
Fulfills a Requirement for: (English) |
|
Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Students will submit their own short stories to be read by their peers. In addition, the class will read short stories and novel excerpts from writers such as Jamel Brinkley, Claire Boyles, Edward P. Jones, Amanda Koe Lee, Josh Weil, Deesha Philyaw, Carmen Maria Machado, and others.
|
Examinations and Assignments:
Requirements include three workshop submissions which includes a revision. There will be in-class writing based on prompts. Students will also be asked to respond to their peers' workshop submissions in writing and through discussion in class. This class places emphasis on revision and story development. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
You will be asked to have a notebook dedicated to in-class writing.
This course contributes to the fulfillment of ENG major requirements: CW requirement, CW path course (but not 300-level course or upper-level workshop), elective.
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: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 2 | JR major: 2 | | |
| Seats Available: 4 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 3 | FR: 4 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 5 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 2 | 4th Ranked: 2 | Unranked: 0 |
| SECTION 02 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
The professor will provide copies of stories by Annie Proulx, Colm Tóibín, Octavia Butler, Carmen Maria Machado, Samanta Schweblin, James Baldwin, Edward P Jones, and others. |
Examinations and Assignments:
3 reaction papers, oral presentation, final project. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Students will have the opportunity to write pieces of creative nonfiction for this course.
This course contributes to the fulfillment of ENG major requirements: CW requirement, CW path course (but not 300-level course or upper-level workshop), Literary History 3.
|
| Instructor(s): Sawhney,Hirsh Times: .....F. 09:20AM-12:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 6 | | |
| Seats Available: 2 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: 5 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 2 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 1 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
| SECTION 03 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
: 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. |
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. |
| Instructor(s): Heng,Rachel Times: ...W... 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 6 | | |
| Seats Available: 2 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 1 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: 2 | FR: 2 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 10 | 1st Ranked: 6 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 2 | 4th Ranked: 1 | Unranked: 0 |
|
|