Module Code - Title:
EH6132
-
PRINCIPLES OF STORYTELLING FOR CREATIVE WRITERS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
A key competence in creative writing is an understanding of narrative. Learning the theory and practice of how storytelling works and in what ways gives students important insights into the development of their own craft and their ability to critique that of others. This module explores storytelling through the essential elements of fiction and drama. Students will undertake complex and advanced analysis of elements of storytelling craft such as character, plot, dialogue, setting, structure, and point of view. They will study theoretical texts on narrative and dramatic theory in addition to reading, analysing, and evaluating the use of narrative and dramatic elements in the work of established writers.
Syllabus:
Students will learn to identify the key elements of fiction and dramatic works, including plot, point of view, character, scene, narrative summary, dialogue, indirect discourse, description, setting, and style. They will develop a critical vocabulary based on these key aspects and use it to interpret and evaluate the use of these aspects in key literary works. Students will also read widely in narrative and dramatic theory and assess literary texts in light of this theory.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Identify key aspects of storytelling through narrative and drama;
employ a critical vocabulary based on a knowledge of storytelling styles, modes and structures
differentiate between different theoretical models of narrative and drama;
evaluate the storytelling merits of literary works.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Value the role of storytelling techniques in literature
justify their preferences for specific literary models
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Students will develop an in-depth understanding of narrative and dramatic form and different theoretical approaches (Knowledge); they will understand how to use a critical vocabulary to evaluate literary works (Proactive); they will learn how to integrate conventions and critical vocabularies in written assessments of literary works (Articulate). Up to date research on the theory and practice of storytelling will be a core element of student deliberations, and learning will be highly discursive and interactional.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Ann Charters, ed (2011)
The Story and its Writer, Eighth Edition
, Bedford/St. Martin's Press
Seymour Chapman (1978)
Story and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film
, Cornell University Press
Stephen Unwin and Carole Woddis (2001)
A Pocket Guide to 20th Century Drama
, Faber and Faber
Other Relevant Texts:
Dorothy Hale, ed (2006)
The Novel: An Anthology of Criticism and Theory 1900-2000
, Blackwell
Don Schiach (2000)
American Drama, 1900-1990
, Cambridge University Press
Porter Abbott (2008)
The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative
, Cambridge University Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MACRWRTFA - CREATIVE WRITING
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
Donal.M.Ryan@ul.ie