CRW3120 - Beginning Fiction Writing
Dr. <Name>
The workings of point of view contain the magic of literary fiction writing. In this module, you will read definitions of types of point of view. You will also read stories to study aspects of point of view.
There will be online class discussions on this reading as well. You will write and discuss your own point of view exercises.
Throughout the discussions, we'll focus on the crafting of point of view and how authors handle observation, memory, and experience within. We'll consider what happens to details that bring readers into a fictional world.
In a nutshell: This assignment has three parts. First, you'll record your responses to the reading selections from our anthology and take a quiz.
Use a word processing program so that you can revise, edit, and proofread your posting. Then, post it in the Discussion Button under the story threads. Use your name in the subject heading. Over the next couple of days, read your classmates' postings and make a few comments that show that you have been there and thought about they have said.
Read the following selections:
As you read from the books, either underline and make margin notes or take notes to use in our online discussion. At a minimum, write down one quotation from each of the selections we read in common. You may either select a favorite line or a line that you have questions about.
Take the Quiz called “Point of View." You will have two attempts at this quiz. Your second score will stick.
Please follow these steps to prepare for our discussion:
Read the selections from the anthology. Take notes as directed above.
Post Exercise on the Discussion Board under the thread with your name.
For this assignment, it's important to read each piece twice. The first time, let it wash over you, gathering impressions. The second time, read for craft. That is, ask how the writers put together these works using a particular point of view and had an affect on you.
The goal is to read closely, studying the aspects of craft that make these pieces work. While I hope that you also end up enjoying them, keep in mind that that is not the point. Rather, we'll be preparing for a conversation that focuses on three aspects of writing fiction:
Creating a shared sense of experience with a character through careful moment by moment attention to point of view and visceral detail
Choice of point of view, why a particular pov is important for a particular story
Shaping a narrative inside a particular point of view
Feeling our way to understanding how violating point of view breaks the spell of a story