UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO SCHOOL OF CONTINUING STUDIES

COURSE OUTLINE 1680 Writing Short Fiction: Introduction

INSTRUCTOR:

DATE/TIME:

REQUIRED TEXT(S): Readings available as PDF files online

COURSE DESCRIPTION: What makes a great story? What makes an unforgettable

character? And what makes us want to read more of our
favorite short fiction? In this class, we’ll explore the elements of
strong, vivid, and moving creative writing, and the structure and
construction of the short story form. Through readings and
discussions, we’ll cover the writing process from the inception
of an idea to the creation of your own polished story. We’ll
discuss how to make writing bold, vital, and realistic, and how to
polish stories to perfection. We will read stories from authors
such as Chekhov, Jhumpa Lahiri, Karen Russell, Margaret
Atwood, and others, and will workshop each others’ story
drafts.
This course will be half craft discussion, half workshop, in which
you focus on your writing and offer feedback on the writing of
others. You will leave the course with a revised short story.

PREREQUISITE(S): None

CERTIFICATE(S): Certificate in Creative Writing

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through readings and assignments, you will work toward
completing a draft of a short story. You will workshop each other’s short fiction.

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COURSE PLAN
Note: Your instructor will provide you with the specific schedule of your course modules at the beginning of your course. There may be slight
variations in course schedule from semester to semester and for different delivery methods (e.g. classroom, online, hybrid etc.)

MODULE TOPIC/LESSONS READINGS, ASSIGNMENTS, ACTIVITIES, ETC.

S
1 Introduction: Story Read for next class: Chekhov, “The Lady with the Dog”;
Structure O’Connor, “A Good Man is Hard to Find”
2 Story Structure Read for next class: Russell, “St. Lucy’s Home for Girls
Raised by Wolves”; Diaz, “How to Date a Browngirl,
Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie”
3 Language and Read for next class: Davis, “Labors of the Heart”
Voice/Workshop
4 Character/Worksho Read for next class: Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway Ch 1; Lahiri,
p “Sexy"
5 Point of Read for next class: O’Brien, “The Things They
View/Workshop Carried”; Rick Moody, “Boys”
6 Showing vs. Read for next class: Dybek, “Pet Milk”; Carver, “What
Telling/Workshop We Talk About When We Talk About Love”
7 Time and Read for next class: Carver, “Beginners”
Tense/Workshop
8 Revision/Workshop

DELIVERY FORMAT
Please note that your instructor will provide you with a detailed overview of the course
venue, learning materials, learning activities and group interaction at the start of your course.
If you have any questions about this course, please contact the School at 416-978-2400 or
email learn@utoronto.ca to discuss the course delivery format for the course you’re
interested in.

DELIVERY DESCRIPTION
FORMAT
Classroom • Location of Instruction: All classes held on campus with instructor-led
Course lectures and class discussions.
• Course Administration and Learning Materials: Course materials are
provided. Additional digital resources may be provided as links within
course materials.
• Communication & Interactivity: Interactions between learners and the
instructor and between learners directly are conducted in the classroom.
E-mail is typically used for ad hoc or project-based interaction outside of
class. Occasionally other social media and communication applications
may be used for interaction outside class.

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GRADING AND EVALUATION: Assignment 1 40%
Assignment 2 50%
Participation 10%

Assignment 1- 40%. 7-20 pages (7-20 pages of a short story)

Assignment 2- 50%. 10-20 pages (10-20 pages of a new short story, or major revision of
previous story)

Class Work/Participation –10% This includes preparation for reading, discussion, and
workshopping, and critiquing and discussing the work of
one’s peers. If a student is not present when work is
scheduled to be workshopped, only written feedback will be
provided. Discussion of the work as a class is forfeited.

For work that is handed in: You will submit a standard Word .doc or .docx of double-spaced
writing on Quercus’ discussion forum one week before your
workshop date. Please include your last name in the file
name (e.g., Hurley_Sub1.docx).

Please note: A workshop depends on thoughtful comments from its members. Each
workshop week, you will write a short letter to the students
being workshopped, offering suggestions for revision.

A note on lateness: Handing in stories late just doesn’t work for a class that depends on peer
review. Remember that your fellow students must have time
to read your work before workshop. Submitting late
inconveniences your fellow students and may prevent you
from getting feedback.

SCS GRADING SCALE: Honours 90% to 100%

Pass 50% to 89%
Fail Less than 50%

FINAL GRADE: To view your final grade, please log into the “My Access –
Student Login” located on our website,
www.learn.utoronto.ca/login. Please note that your final
grade will not be posted on Quercus.

Once the course has finished, if you have any questions

concerning your grades or final mark, please contact the
School directly at learn@utoronto.ca.

CERTIFICATE: To receive your certificate upon completion of all

requirements, please complete the Certificate Request Form

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 available at http://learn.utoronto.ca/how-to-
register/certificate-request-form

ACADEMIC CONSULTATION: Most issues and questions can be addressed during class or
by e-mail. Unless urgent information is required, the
instructor will respond to your e-mail questions during the
next class. If confidentiality is required, a learner and the
instructor can arrange a mutually convenient time to
address questions – either before or after class, or by
telephone.

NOTE(S): In the event that we have to cancel your class at the last
moment due to weather, the illness of the instructor, etc.,
please ensure that you have provided a daytime phone
number and email in your student profile, so that we are
able to notify you immediately.

CODE OF CONDUCT: All School of Continuing Studies learners are required to

comply with the University of Toronto Code of Student
Conduct. Learners are also required to comply with the Code
of Behaviour on Academic Matters. Further details available
in our Academic Policies and Guidelines.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: If you are using the ideas of others in your written work
please see information regarding:
Guidelines for properly citing your sources:
‘Writing at the University of Toronto’ website at
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-
sources/documentation
Plagiarism:
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-
not-to-plagiarize

AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDINGS: You are not permitted to record lectures without the written
consent of your instructor(s).

ACCOMMODATION FOR
A DISABILITY: If you require accommodation for a disability, please contact
Student Services at 416-978-2400 or email
scs.accessibility@utoronto.ca to arrange this service.

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