ARTD2125 Creative Writing
Module Overview
The module provides an introduction to creative writing and familiarises you with a range of writing styles appropriate to effective communications in the wider context of the creative industries and public arena. You will be encouraged to develop a variety of techniques and approaches to writing with particular reference to linguistic versatility, originality, drafting, editing, and applying your work to realistic situations. This optional core module is designed to broaden your studies and provide you with an interdisciplinary learning experience with peers from a range of art and design subjects. The module will provide you with new perspectives and introduce you to themes and practices that can be critically explored to inform your ongoing development, interests and skills.
Aims and Objectives
Module Aims
• equip you with a basic knowledge of some key requirements of forms of writing; • provide you with an opportunity to develop techniques for employing creativity in the writing process; • embed the processes of drafting, revising, proof-reading and editing in your writing practice; • demonstrate how an idea may be translated into various written forms to suit different occasions and audiences; • encourage you to respond in a successful and creative manner to a brief.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- a variety of creative and professional genres used in the creative industries, such as, journalistic material, fiction, memoir, scripts, and press releases;
- a variety of writing styles and conventions and their effectiveness.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- critically examine and execute the research planning that precedes your final texts;
- review and analyse your work in a professional and constructive manner.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- demonstrate clear effective and persuasive written communication skills for a defined context and audience;
- organise time and manage deadlines;
- utlise problem-solving skills informed by different perspectives.
Syllabus
This module will introduce you to a range of different, non-academic writing styles, from journalism to more ‘creative’ forms such as prose fiction, memoir, poetry and scriptwriting. You will be encouraged to engage and experiment with a range of styles and forms, developing skills in handling writing voice and in understanding the process required to work in different writing modes. You will be expected to work within given structures to produce work which is appropriate for differing situations, and is original, imaginative, technically skilled and professionally executed. The course will examine examples of good practice and will provide you with a set of skills that can be applied to a variety of situations and applications, both in your studies and beyond. It will also focus on process, demonstrating how to move from an idea, through drafting and editing, to a final, polished piece. As such there will also be some focus on proof-reading and the correct use of grammar and punctuation. Overall, task and audience specific writing styles, proof-reading techniques, and editing skills will be central to the practical nature of the module. You will develop your knowledge, skills and awareness of the writing process, through a range of exercises covering a selection of diverse forms. You will be encouraged to develop areas of particular interest for your final assignment. Indicative module content will normally include: • finding inspiration; • types of writing; • crafting ideas for writing; • starting the writing; • structure; • using voice; • characterisation; • grammar, punctuation and vocabulary; • endings/conclusions; • editing and proofreading.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
This is a workshop based course in which students will receive instruction and context through short lecture-style presentations, followed by both in-class writing exercises and independent study. These will be accompanied by small group sessions in which students can share their work with their peers from across the various programmes for continuous feedback. Teaching methods include: • workshops that combine tutor-input with practical writing exercises; • partial-session lectures to introduce key issues and topics; • tutorials. Learning activities include: • generating material and ideas for a specific piece of writing; • peer review and feedback; • editing and revising pieces of writing; • Self-directed research.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 26 |
| Completion of assessment task | 40 |
| Tutorial | 2 |
| Follow-up work | 26 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 22 |
| Wider reading or practice | 34 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
J. Casterton (1986). Creative Writing: A Practical Guide.
Harper, G. (2010). On Creative Writing.
Quick and Dirty Tips – Grammar Girl.
Hicks, W. et al (1999). Writing for Journalists.
Open University – Start Writing Fiction.
Hicks, W. (1998). English for Journalists.
Strunk Jr., W and White, E.B (2000). The Elements of Style.
This Itch of Writing Blog – Emma Darwin.
King, S. (2012). On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.
Sellers,S. ed (1991). Taking Reality by Surprise: Writing for Pleasure and Publication.
Smith H. (2005). The Writing Experiment : Strategies For Innovative Creative Writing.
Bell, J & Magrs, P.eds (2001). A Creative Writing Coursebook.
OpenLearn: Creative Writing Open University.
Blake, C. (1999). From Pitch to Publication.
Rhodes, R. (1995). How to Write: Advice and Reflections.
Lukeman, N. (2000). The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile.
Elbow, Peter (1981). Writing with Power: Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process.
Brande, D. (1996). Becoming a Writer.
Assessment
Formative
Portfolio
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Portfolio (2500 words) | 80% |
| Written review (500 words) | 20% |
Repeat
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Portfolio (2500 words) | 80% |
| Written review (500 words) | 20% |
Referral
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Portfolio (2500 words) | 100% |
Costs
Costs associated with this module
Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.
In addition to this, students registered for this module typically also have to pay for:
Textbooks
Recommended texts for this module may be available in limited supply in the University Library and students may wish to purchase any additional texts as appropriate.
Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.