The course aims to introduce students to the basic elements of narrative writing and its basic structure, in order to master the principles of writing in a style and form appropriate to the communicative context. By focusing on several examples and analyzing different types of narratives, the course also aims to provide students with the theoretical and technical tools to be able to read and understand a text critically and to deal with basic forms of writing in a practical way.

The lab aims to strengthen students' perspective and critical thinking, as well as their narrative and argumentative skills, by working on the creative process of a story in order to cultivate their own authorial voice and be able to write accurate and well-argued texts, knowing how to set up an editing process.

The course, which is laboratory-based, consists of a theoretical part and a practical part with writing exercises related to the topics covered in the lectures, in order to apply and deepen the knowledge acquired in the classroom. Therefore, although not mandatory, attendance is strongly recommended.

In order to reflect on the practice of storytelling and to guide students toward a concrete approach to writing, the course will examine the structural elements of narrative writing. Beginning with lexical, syntactic, and stylistic aspects, the course will then focus on the composite steps of the writing process: the birth of a story, focusing on a potential idea; the development of a coherent plot; the creation of believable characters; the writing of effective and realistic dialogue; the establishment of rhythm and the spatiotemporal location of the story; the choice of narrative point of view; the identification of a theme and techniques for bringing it to light. In addition, students will be introduced to the different approaches to optimizing the writing process (maps, outlines, structural schemes) and to reading aloud, as well as to the methods of argumentation and the canons for establishing and carrying out a proper editing process of a text, even when it is written by a third party.

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1. Knowledge and Understanding: Knowledge of the compositional norms of writing and the ability to understand the essential structure and basic elements of a story, the cardinal principles of narrative writing, and the techniques to be used in creating a text.

1.1 Students will gain this knowledge by attending lectures and studying the material discussed in class and the course books.

2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding: Ability to apply the acquired knowledge and techniques with a mature and professional approach to writing. Ability to conceive and write a narrative piece that demonstrates a correct and appropriate application of the concepts learned in the course, as well as a connection between them. Ability to support a clear and effective argument.

2.1 Students will gain these skills through laboratory practice sessions.

3. Making Judgements: Gain tools for informed critical reflection and for formulating one's own clear and searching evaluation. Ability to examine a narrative text by actively reflecting on the subtext and the different levels of interpretation and meaning.

3.1 Students will gain the ability to make critical judgments through participation in class discussions and debates with the lecturer and their colleagues, as well as through personal study and preparation for the final exam.

4. Communication Skills: Ability to articulate observations using appropriate and knowledgeable terminology. Ability to illustrate, critically argue, and evaluate the content that characterizes the analysis of a narrative text, demonstrating mastery of the symbolic and descriptive language used throughout the course. Ability to engage in active and controlled discussion and debate with colleagues and the lecturer.

4.1 Students will develop their communication skills in the classroom through active participation in discussion and practice sessions.

5. Learning Skills: Ability to consolidate their syntactic and rhetorical skills. Ability to read, examine and even critically evaluate a narrative text, knowing how to independently distinguish its structural and stylistic elements. Ability to sensitively consider the effectiveness of certain syntactic and stylistic choices in a text, knowing how to connect the concepts learned. Ability to imagine and produce a well-written and argued text, demonstrating appropriate stylistic and syntactic choices and self-evaluation.

5.1 These skills will be enabled through the use of various learning tools that will allow students to navigate autonomously in narrative writing by the end of the course. In addition, discussion and debate with colleagues and the lecturer will play a key role, as will class exercises and personal study.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

• Analysis and discussion of non-narrative texts (magazine articles; interviews with personalities in the writing and/or publishing world; reviews) suggested by the lecturer.
• Writing exercises related to the topics covered in the course.
• Meetings and seminars with other creative writing teachers and/or professionals in the field.

Teaching

Theoretical lectures and practical group and/or individual exercises.

Innovative teaching methods

Debate with a communicative exchange on the texts proposed and analyzed in class, as well as on the student's original work. Innovative teaching methods such as storytelling, brainstorming, cooperative learning, and circle time are also included.

Attendance

To be counted as "attending", students must participate in at least 75% of the lessons and/or, for example, have completed any classwork, exercises, or other such activities organised by the lecturer during the course.

Course books

The materials used in class will be available for students online on the university's blended learning platform.

• Gotham Writers’ Workshop, Lezioni di scrittura creativa. Metodi, tecniche ed esercizi, Dino Audino Editore, Roma 2006.
• Paolo Cognetti, A pesca nelle pozze più profonde. Meditazioni sull’arte di scrivere racconti, Minimum Fax, Roma 2022, pp. 9-55 (Prima parte: sul mistero) e pp. 59-99 (Seconda parte: ama i tuoi personaggi).
• Stephen King, On Writing. Autobiografia di un mestiere, Sperling & Kupfer (Pickwick), Milano 2017, pp. 93-239 (Che cos’è la scrittura; Cassetta degli attrezzi; Sulla scrittura) e pp. 261-273 (E inoltre (parte prima): porta chiusa, porta aperta).

Assessment

The assessment for the course will be a written exam consisting of open-ended questions related to the topics covered in the course, the teaching material proposed by the lecturer and analyzed in class, and the course books. The answers will be evaluated for form, structure, and content.

The exam aims to assess the student's learning of content, the linguistic accuracy and clarity of exposition, the ability to sustain a sound argument, and the ability to make an independent critical evaluation of the topics covered in the course and the material proposed by the lecturer.

Excellent grades will be given for the following: the student's full understanding of the topics covered in the course and full command of the specific language; the student's good critical and in-depth skills; the student's coherent argumentation; the student's ability to relate the major topics covered in the course.

Good grades will be given for the following: the student's possession of a good understanding of the topics covered in the course and a good command of the specific language; the student's possession of a relative ability to critique and make connections between the main topics covered; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient grades will be given for the following: the student has a minimum understanding of the topics covered in the course and a limited command of the specific language, albeit with the presence of some gaps in understanding; a limited ability to express oneself.

Low grades will be given for the following: the student's lack of orientation and understanding of the topics covered in the course; significant gaps in knowledge; the use of clearly inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Materials used in class (available for students online on the university's blended learning platform) and course books.

Course books

• Gotham Writers’ Workshop, Lezioni di scrittura creativa. Metodi, tecniche ed esercizi, Dino Audino Editore, Roma 2006.
• Paolo Cognetti, A pesca nelle pozze più profonde. Meditazioni sull’arte di scrivere racconti, Minimum Fax, Roma 2022, pp. 9-55 (Prima parte: sul mistero) e pp. 59-99 (Seconda parte: ama i tuoi personaggi).
• Stephen King, On Writing. Autobiografia di un mestiere, Sperling & Kupfer (Pickwick), Milano 2017, pp. 93-239 (Che cos’è la scrittura; Cassetta degli attrezzi; Sulla scrittura) e pp. 261-273 (E inoltre (parte prima): porta chiusa, porta aperta).

Assessment

The assessment for the course will be a written exam consisting of open-ended questions related to the topics covered in the course, the teaching material proposed by the lecturer and analyzed in class, and the course books. The answers will be evaluated for form, structure, and content.

The exam aims to assess the student's learning of content, the linguistic accuracy and clarity of exposition, the ability to sustain a sound argument, and the ability to make an independent critical evaluation of the topics covered in the course and the material proposed by the lecturer.

Excellent grades will be given for the following: the student's full understanding of the topics covered in the course and full command of the specific language; the student's good critical and in-depth skills; the student's coherent argumentation; the student's ability to relate the major topics covered in the course.

Good grades will be given for the following: the student's possession of a good understanding of the topics covered in the course and a good command of the specific language; the student's possession of a relative ability to critique and make connections between the main topics covered; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient grades will be given for the following: the student has a minimum understanding of the topics covered in the course and a limited command of the specific language, albeit with the presence of some gaps in understanding; a limited ability to express oneself.

Low grades will be given for the following: the student's lack of orientation and understanding of the topics covered in the course; significant gaps in knowledge; the use of clearly inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.