2025 Spring ENGLISH 143A 002 LEC 002

Spring 2025

ENGLISH 143A 002 - LEC 002

Short Fiction

Melanie Abrams

Jan 21, 2025 - May 09, 2025
Mo, We
02:00 pm - 03:29 pm
Class #:33143
Units: 4

Instruction Mode: In-Person Instruction

Offered through English

Current Enrollment

Total Open Seats: 0
Enrolled: 15
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 15
Waitlist Max: 0
No Reserved Seats

Hours & Workload

3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, and 9 hours of outside work hours per week.

Other classes by Melanie Abrams

Course Catalog Description

A seminar in writing short stories.

Class Description

The aim of this course is to explore the genre of short fiction—to discuss the elements that make up the short story, to talk critically about short stories, and to become comfortable and confident with the writing of them. Students will write two short stories, a number of shorter exercises, weekly critiques of their peers’ work, and a final writer's reflection. The course will be organized as a workshop and attendance is mandatory. All student stories will be edited and critiqued by the instructor and by other students in the class. Writing samples should be 6-12 pages of fiction (a complete short story, a few short shorts, a section of a novel, etc.). Since this is a class that focuses on psychological realism, please avoid genre fiction for your sample (no sci fi, fantasy, fan fic, etc.). No need to strive for perfection here (this class focuses on learning the craft of fiction, so I expect you have much to learn!), but strong sentences, an understanding that fiction revolves around conflict, and three-dimensional characters are encouraged.

Class Notes

To apply for this Creative Writing course, please submit your application through the following URL by the deadline of Friday November 1 2024.

Application URL: https://forms.gle/DLgNuZJtFaqE7CvdA
Applications Open Wednesday, October 9

Rules & Requirements

Repeat Rules

Requirements class fulfills

Meets Arts & Literature, L&S Breadth

Reserved Seats

Current Enrollment

No Reserved Seats

Textbooks & Materials

See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.

Textbook Lookup

Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials

eTextbooks

Associated Sections

None