Prose Fiction

Module description

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of fiction writing and its techniques. It is a practice-based course which involves close reading and academic investigation of the short story and novel forms. Through lectures and weekly workshops, the module will expose students to questions of inspiration and choice, method, application, revision and editing.  

 

 

 

Assessment details

1 x 3,000 word piece of fiction (100%)

Educational aims & objectives

• Introduce prose fiction as a practical artistic discipline.
• Focus on such practical aspects of the novel and the short story as point of view and narrative voice, dialogue, characterisation, plot and structure.
• Encourage students to think as writers, and to consider the decisions that writers make at every stage of the creative process.
• Promote an understanding of the ways in which fictional narratives function as works of art, in the expectation that these considerations will inform the students' own fiction writing.

 

Learning outcomes

• Undertake the writing of prose narratives with a stronger sense of authorial insight and technical reach.
• Demonstrate greater insight into the choices they have made and the traditions they might appeal to in supporting those choices.
• Produce a short story or section of a longer narrative that shows a considered response to the techniques discussed in the module, experimenting with form and the constituent elements of prose fiction.

 

Teaching pattern

One lecture and one seminar

Suggested reading list

1. The Penguin Book of the British Short Story, Volume 2: From PG Wodehouse to Zadie Smith, Philip Hensher, ed. (London: Penguin, 2016)
2. The Granta Book of the American Short Story, Volume 2, Richard Ford, ed. (London: Granta, 2008)

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.