Writing techniques: Forms and literary devices

The unit covers a range of compositional techniques used in prose fiction. The weekly topics are organised around exercises designed to develop skills in effective use of creative detail, in conscious crafting of formal elements or writing techniques (e.g. building character, developing storyline, describing place, cultivating writing style or voice, identifying a narrative structure, etc.), and in preparation and editing of copy for publication. Various samples of reading materials (esp. short stories, excerpts from novels, graphic novels, fan-fiction etc.) will also be introduced to demonstrate how effectively different writers deploy these techniques.