Contemporary Short Story

In this class you will learn how to read short fiction critically so that you can improve your own writing skills. You will be learn how to develop the elements of your fiction through short writing exercises and receive structured feedback that will help you improve your writing skills. At the end of the class you will have one completed short story that is ready to be submitted for publication.


Many classes on short fiction focus on reading classic works by Faulkner and Hemingway, for example. This class will instead focus on critiquing more recently published works, completing related exercises, and working toward the completion of a short story.

*Critical reading of short fiction
*Thoughtful responding to peers' exercises.
*Develop the elements of fiction in own work through exercises.
*Respond to feedback to develop writing.
*Complete one short story

Week 1

Topics: Elements of fiction, critiquing fiction,
Getting ideas for writing
Read short story 1
Writing Exercise 1 (The Beginning Idea: Protagonist and story problem)
Respond to peers' work

Week 2
Topics: Character and voice
Read short story 2
Writing Exercise 2 (The protagonist: the main character who makes it all happen and his or her story goal)
Read and comment on peers' work

Week 3
Topic: Plot, what actually happens
Read short story 3
Writing exercise 3: The inciting event and how it all snowballs from there in a series of complications
Read and comment on peers' work

Week 4
Topics: setting and theme
Read short story 4
Writing exercise 4: the "zeitgeist," or spirit of the times and how it relates to the story
The resolution: how it all "washes out" at the end
Read peers' work



Instructor: Stacia Ann

About The Instructor: Stacia Ann is an Linguistics Lecturer and Writing Instructor at the University of California. She has a doctorate of Education, Master's of Art in English/TESOL. This instructor has taught writing classes for over ten years. She also teaches academic writing and English as a Second Language at the University of the Pacific. A published author including works of short fiction and academic nonfiction including contest winning stories.