ENGL 210: Creative Writing: Fiction, Poetry and Non-Fiction

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000.
District General Education: C2. Humanities
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

Instruction and practice in various forms of fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction. Critical evaluation of professional and student writing. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • apply the major techniques employed in short and long fiction, various forms of poetry, and creative non-fiction
  • employ critical thinking in studying the methods of evaluating written works for purpose of self-appraisal
  • write stories, poetry, or creative essays
  • explain how culture and gender influence creative works

Major Course Content

  1. Fiction
    1. Descriptive techniques
    2. Story structure
    3. Characterization
    4. Dialogue
    5. Point of view
    6. Dramatization vs. Narration
    7. Setting
    8. Form and content
    9. Meanings
  2. Poetry
    1. Poetic Form
    2. Versification 
    3. Image
    4. Wordplay
    5. Line breaks
  3. Creative Non-Fiction
    1. Reportage
    2. Style
    3. Finding a voice
    4. Diction
    5. Tone and atmosphere
  4. Revision
    1. Redrafting strategies
    2. Constructive criticism
    3. Analysis and evaluation
    4. Close reading

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Literary magazines, fiction magazines, novels, other creative non-fiction etc.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Utilizing the elements of a well constructed short story, write a piece of short fiction based upon a significant event in one's life.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Study Answer questions Practice skills Read required materials
Write two short fiction, poetry, or non-fiction pieces. Revise and expand one of them.
Read assigned short fiction and non-fiction and respond to questions regarding style and convention.
Write a close reading essay that evaluates the quality of a short piece of fiction, part of a novel, poems, or an example of creative non-fiction.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture