Module overview
Many writers begin with the short story. Through writing short stories they are able to experiment, learn the fundamentals of narrative composition, and have the satisfaction of completing something to a high standard in a relatively short period of time. The short story form can be the most flexible and satisfying to work with.
Shena Mackay likened the short story to a magic box, Hermione Lee described it as being like a polished pebble, and Helen Simpson said that it is like a gin and tonic. What did these writers mean? On this module you will gain an understanding of the appeal of short stories to readers and writers, and the limits and possibilities inherent in the form.
The module is designed to introduce you to the work of a range of short story writers, whilst helping you to develop your skills in crafting short fiction. You will be asked to study particular stories each week, but you will also be expected to pursue your own interests in reading. You will be encouraged to “read like a writer” and to reflect on that reading in critical commentaries to accompany your finished work. The skills required for writing short stories are also key to working in other forms, so this module will help you to develop as a writer whatever your plans and ambitions may be.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- be able to think critically about your own work including your creative methods and influences
- be used to generating and developing ideas for stories.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the way that writers draw upon archetypal narratives, myths and traditional tales.
- the methods by which writers work
- the key elements of fiction (including character, viewpoint, plot, dialogue, and imagery)
- the work of particular short story writers
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- to be able to produce a finished short story
- be able to write critical commentaries of your own work.
- have practised working with the key elements of fiction including character, viewpoint, plot, dialogue and imagery.
- be able to successfully plan, structure, rewrite and edit your work.
Syllabus
You will look at how the elements of fiction (e.g. place, character, narrative, structure, and point of view work together to create a successful short story. You may begin by writing autobiographically and practise using memories as starting points for fiction, but you will also use your powers of observation to develop character and setting. You will look closely at how the elements of fiction work in both contemporary and classic works, also investigating the way that archetypal narratives, myths and traditional tales can be used as the basis for contemporary short stories. You will look at flash fictions, as you begin to write your first short story or stories for assessment Having gained skills in the key elements of writing short fiction, you will be expected to write another longer story for your final assignment.
Reflecting and writing critically about your own methods and finished work is a key element of this module, and you will be required to write a critical commentary as part of the second assignment.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
You will have two two-hour seminars each week. Classes will be structured around writing exercises and opportunities to review your work in small groups and with the tutor. You will be expected to bring drafts of your work to seminars prior to each deadline, and to offer feedback to your fellow students on their work. You will be able to see your seminar tutor in regular consultation hours and to ask for feedback on work in progress as well as on marked assignments.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Completion of assessment task | 100 |
| Wider reading or practice | 68 |
| Follow-up work | 32 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 56 |
| Seminar | 44 |
| Total study time | 300 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Daniel Halpern (1987). The Art of The Tale - An International Anthology of Short Stories. Penguin.
Ailsa Cox (2005). Writing Short Stories. Abingdon: Routledge.
Andrew Cowan (2011). The Art of Writing Fiction. Longman.
Christopher Booker (2004). The Seven Basic Plots - Why We Tell Stories. London: Continuum.
Julia Bell (2001). The Creative Writing Coursebook. London: Pan.
Richard Ford (2008). The New Granta Book of The American Short Story Volume 2. London: Granta Books.
Hermione Lee (1997). The Secret Self - A Century of Stories by Women. London: Orion.
Harry Bingham (2012). The Writers’ and Artists’ Guide to How To Write. A & C Black.
Janet Burroway (2011). Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft. London: Pearson.
Angela Carter (2006). The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories. London: Vintage.
Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter (1991). What If?. New York: HarperPerennial.
Lorrie Moore (2009). The Collected Short Stories of Lorrie Moore. London: Faber and Faber.
Raymond Carver (1993). Where I’m Calling From: The Selected Short Stories of Raymond Carver. London: The Harvill Press.
Shena Mackay (2010). The Atmospheric Railway – New and Selected Stories. London: Vintage.
W.G. Sebald (2002). The Rings of Saturn. London: Vintage.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Critical commentary | 25% |
| Written assignment | 25% |
| Written assignment | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Written assignment | 75% |
| Critical commentary | 25% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Written assignment | 25% |
| Critical commentary | 25% |
| Written assignment | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External