3300: 278--002 Introduction to Fiction Writing
Fall 2016/ The University of Akron/ 131 Olin Hall
Robert Pope, Professor/ rpope@uakron.edu/ Olin Hall 341

Text: Student Writing

Schedule of Writing

T, August 30: Introduction: 1. Dialogue Assignment--Eavesdropping (Sept. 27, two pages)
Th, September 1: 2. Character Assignment--Secret Identities (Due beginning Sept. 13, three to six pages)
 
T, 6: Dialogue Examples--in-class handout
Th, 8: Early Character Workshop
 
T, 13: Character Workshop/ first group due
Th, 15: Character Workshop/ second group due 
 
T, 20: Character Workshop/ third group due
Th, 22: 3. Plot Assignment--Profluence (Due beginning Oct. 1, five to nine pages)

T, 27: Dialogues
Th, 29: Dialogues

T, October 4:  Plot Workshop/ Assignments due for first group by Saturday, Oct. 1, 5:00, as email attachment
Th, 6: Plot Workshop/ Assignments for second group due by Tuesday, Oct. 4, 10:00 AM, as email attachment)
                                                                                            
T, 11: 4. Plot Workshop/ Assignments for third group due by Saturday, Oct. 8, 5:00 AM, as email attachment)  
Th, 13: Plot Workshop/ Final Plot Assignments
 
T, 18: Story: Anne Beattie, "The Burning House"/ 4. Scene Assignment--Interiors (Due beginning Oct. 27, five to twelve pages)
Th, 20: Excerpt: Jeremy P. Bushnell, The Weirdness
 
T, 25: Early Scene Workshop
Th, 27: Scene Workshop

T, November 1: Scene Workshop/ Assignment for first group due by Saturday, Oct. 29, 5:00AM, as email attachment)
Th, 3: Scene Workshop/ Assignment for second group due by Tuesday, Nov. 1, 10:00 AM, as email attachment) 
 
T, 8: Scene Workshop
Th, 10: Scene Workshop/ 5. Reflection Assignment--Circularity (Due beginning Nov. 26, five to twelve pages)

T, 15: Sources of Originality--Dream and Reality/ In-class Writing 
Th, 17: Dream Transcripts
 
T, 22: Early Reflection Workshop
Th, 24 Thanksgiving
 
T, 29: Reflection Workshop/ Assignment for first group due by Saturday, Nov. 26, by 5:00 AM, as email attachment)
Th, December 1: Reflection Workshop/ Assignment for second group due by Tuesday, Nov. 29, by 10:00AM, as email attachment)
 
T, 6: Reflection Workshop/ Assignment for third group due by Saturday, Dec. 3, 5:00 AM, as email attachment)
Th, 8: Reflection Workshop/ Conclusion

Requirements:

• Attendance (There is a no cut policy, but penalties begins on third absence--one step reduction of final grade for each class after the second missed);
• Five manuscripts on assignment (Dialogue, Character, Plot, Scene, Reflection);
• One in-class writing;
• Read, print out, prepare to comment on all student manuscripts and any handouts.

I will give one grade only, at the conclusion of the course. If you attend and complete all assignments on time and with engagement, expect a grade in the B range. If your manuscripts and/or class participation warrant special note, you may receive an A. If you miss classes, or your manuscripts are consistently late or ill-prepared, or if your class participation is unhelpful, you may receive a grade of C or D, depending on the degree of the problem. If you miss over two weeks of class, fail to turn in manuscripts, or consistently turn them in late, you may expect an F. You may ask at any time about your grade. If your work is satisfactory, I will tell you that you have a B. If you have less than a B, I will tell you what the issues are--though I will probably already have sent an email with this information. If you are failing, I will certainly let you know at the point that I know.