Modules
Introduction to Creative Writing (EAS1031)
| Staff | Dr John Clarke - Convenor |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 15 |
| ECTS Value | 7.5 |
| NQF Level | 4 |
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Duration of Module | Term 2: 11 weeks; |
Module aims
- To introduce students to some of the key technical and imaginative skills needed to begin writing successful poems and short stories. You will be encouraged to develop a range of imaginative responses to lectures and writing workshops within the framework of creative reading, drafting, discussion and re-writing. The module examines a range of literary devices and techniques employed by contemporary poets and writers of short fiction, which you will explore as models for your own original creative writing.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Demonstrate an informed appreciation of a range of English language creative writing
- 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the generic conventions of creative writing, and to the shaping effects of authorship and intended audience
- 3. Demonstrate a capacity to produce creative writing in a range of styles and genres, in a manner informed by their reading
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. Demonstrate an appreciation of formal techniques and imaginative expression in creative writing
- 5. Demonstrate an ability to produce pieces of creative writing, in agreement with specified forms and genres taught on the module
- 6. Present persuasive oral arguments concerning their own creative writing and the work of other authors, both peers and published authors
- 7. Articulate a broad range of appropriate critical and professional terminology
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 8. Through seminar work, demonstrate advanced communication skills, and an ability to work both individually and in groups
- 9. Through writing essays and creative work, demonstrate appropriate research and bibliographic skills, an advanced capacity to construct a coherent, substantiated argument, advanced skills of creative expression, and a capacity to write clear and correct prose
- 10. Through research for seminars and essays, demonstrate advanced proficiency in information retrieval and analysis
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Lecture and seminar: 'The Building Blocks of Writing'. Practical writing.
- Seminar: Group feedback on work in progress.
- Lecture and seminar: 'Show, Don't Tell'. Practical writing.
- Seminar: Group feedback on work in progress.
- Lecture: 'Plot and Narrative'. Practical writing seminar.
- Seminar: Group feedback on work in progress.
- Lecture: 'Character'. Practical writing seminar.
- Seminar: Group feedback on work in progress.
- Lecture: 'Description'. Practical writing seminar.
- Seminar: Group feedback on work in progress.
- Lecture and seminar: 'Style'. Practical writing.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | 122 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 6 | Lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | Seminars |
| Guided independent study | 44 | Study group meetings and preparation |
| Guided independent study | 44 | Seminar preparation (individual) |
| Guided independent study | 34 | Reading, research and assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of writing | Ongoing | 1-8, 10 | Oral feedback in seminar with opportunity for office hours follow-up |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 0 | 10 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short story | 45 | 1200 words | 1-5, 9 | Feedback sheet with opportunity for office hours follow-up |
| Poetry | 45 | 30 lines | 1-5, 9 | Feedback sheet with opportunity for office hours follow-up |
| Seminar participation | 10 | Continuous | 1-2, 4, 6-8, 10 | Oral feedback from tutor and opportunity for office hours follow-up |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short story | Short story | 1-5, 9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Poetry | Poetry | 1-5, 9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Seminar participation | Repeat study/Mitigation | 1-2, 4, 6-8, 10 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Staying Alive (ed. Neil Astley. Bloodaxe Books)
- The Oxford Book of English Short Stories (ed. A. S. Byatt, OUP)
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1837
- Over 300 quality interviews with significant international authors: The Paris Review – http://www.parisreview.com
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
01/01/2011
Last revision date
24/10/2018
Key words search
English, Creative Writing