Question for all creative writing teachers (junior high, high school, college)

Question

When you give a short story assignment to your students (5,000 words, 2 pages, etc.) what is your policy on fan-fiction, if any?

By fan-fiction, I'm talking about stories based around the writer's favorite animated series/anime, book, movie, TV show, etc.

Do you have a policy that forbids these kinds of stories, telling them to come up with their own original ideas? Do you widely encourage this (as practice to write a better story, as some would argue)? Or do you tell them that you don't mind it, so long as not every story is based on Harry Potter, Naruto, Teen Titans, etc; that you would to see SOME original stories in there?

Also, if you have a "no fan-fiction" policy, what penalties do you give out when you see such stories?

Answer 1

I'd allow it once or twice; maybe for the second or third assignment, or when you're ready to begin working on dialog, whichever comes first. Also, if you decide to incorporate fan-fiction into the class, it makes for a great transition into ownership of characters/storylines and plagiarism. However, I would make it very clear when fan-fiction would be accepted and when it would not, just to keep your expectations clear.