Short introduction to writing flash fiction ADED12026E

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: Short Courses
  • Credits: 5
  • Level: Level 1 (SCQF level 7)
  • Typically Offered: Full Year
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes

Short Description

Flash fiction is characterised by its brevity. In 1000 words or less, vivid characters, worlds, stories, sensations and meaning can bloom. Learning how to craft flash fiction also fosters valuable writing and editing skills as every word, space and punctuation mark counts.

 

Join this brief course to learn the art and craft of flash fiction writing with encouragement, support and guidance. Together we'll discuss and decode inspiring examples of the form to pick up new skills and techniques. Writing exercises will enable you to practise these in your own writing and share your work for group feedback. We will also discuss habits and ideas that help us write flash fiction pieces. Overall, this course offers a welcoming first step or reinvigorating new approach to writing short texts with big impact.

Timetable

Block 1 and 3

2 hours per week for 5 weeks

Block 1: Tuesday 18:30-20:30 Wks 1-5 online

Block 3: Tuesday 13:00-15:00 Wks 1-5 in-person

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

To assess ILO 1:

Portfolio (750 to 1000 words) of original flash fiction writing in the form of several shorter pieces or one singular complete piece (75%)

 

To assess ILO 2:

Self-reflective essay (250 words) reflecting on at least one flash fiction technique used to produce their portfolio (25%).

Course Aims

The aims of this course are to:

■ Introduce students to the key literary characteristics of flash fiction through textual analysis of notable examples

■ Encourage individual, creative approaches through practical writing exercises that enable students to apply key techniques from flash fiction to their own writing 

■ Build students' confidence by submitting their creative writing for peer and tutor feedback, and via discussion of helpful writing habits

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Compose persuasive, artistically coherent and technically competent written work that demonstrates some of the key techniques of flash fiction

■ Reflect upon their own creative process of writing flash fiction

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.