Class 1

Wednesday 8/26—We went over the course syllabus today, looking at what you'll be expected to do this semester and how you'll be graded.

If you didn't get a syllabus, or if you lost yours, you can download one here.

We began the course talking about the nature of "plot." What is a plot, and what are the minimal requirements that make a plot. We discussed E.M. Forster's famous definition:

"The King died. Then the Queen died."

This is not a plot. This is simply a sequence of events.

"The King died. Then the Queen died of grief."

Now this would be a plot, because it includes causality. A plot answers the question "Why?"

Consider the concept of plot as you read this week's material.

HOMEWORK
Read the material for week two, as stated on the syllabus. (Most of the reading comes from the Flash Fiction Course Packet, which can be downloaded from this blog. Refer to the previous post.)
Write a Reading Response to the stories you read. An explanation of what I'm looking for from a Reading Response can be found on the syllabus.

Flash Fiction Reading Packet

This semester, most of your readings will come from the Flash Fiction Reading Packet. You can download it here.

Please print it out and bring it with you to each class.

Welcome!

Welcome to Flash Fiction & Prose Poetry at Florida Gulf Coast University. This blog will serve as a clearinghouse of information concerning the class—homework assignments will be posted here, as well as downloadable material for class, various links of importance, and maybe some weird stuff that I just find interesting.

I'll be updating the blog almost every Wednesday, either right before or right after class. If you need to miss a class, you can check here to keep up with the reading and to find out what homework assignments you missed. The blog is here for you, so please check it often, and let me know if there's anything else you'd like to see here.

Cheers to a great semester! Welcome!