Fiction can be as short as a few lines or as long as a novel. It can be fantastic, or it can be realistic. But whatever its shape or size, the same essential parts are at work to make it a story. In this introductory course, we will examine key elements of fiction: beginnings and endings, character, setting, plot and theme, transitions, and structure. We will also explore ways to tap into our most valuable assets: language and its power to tell a story that both entertains and convinces.