Making Writing Matter

Module: EN41021

Convenor: Jim Stewart

Semester: 2, Credits: 30

This Fourth year Module aims to develop and extend writing practices that were put in place in the Year 3 Creative Writing Introductory Module - although this is not necessarily a pre-requisite for study.

In Workshops and down-the-line tutorials we will be exploring the best way to bring out student's individual writing preferences - whether for the short story, longer fiction, memoir, poetry or drama, or a combination of these.

In addition, you will learn independent working methods that will encourage you to self-start your writing and manage and control it – so that you can, if you wish, take it further with a view to completing a full manuscript that can be developed into a possible MLitt:.

If you are interested in applying please contact a member of the Creative Writing team as soon as possible – Prof Kirsty Gunn, Dr Jim Stewart and Mr Eddie Small. Do note you should complete your module choice form in the usual way and be aware that the earlier you apply, the better the chance of insuring a place on the module, as places are strictly limited.

Teaching

The Module is taught in four 4 hour highly practical Workshops, four 2 hour "Wordcraft" sessions and two 1 hour down-the-line tutorials. In addition there will be "Open Door" support available where you can discuss your writing on an informal basis.

In Workshops you will be producing work quickly and regularly in timed exercises that will then be read out and discussed with the group. Over the Semester you will be encouraged to develop your writing according to your specific strengths and the work that develops from this genre specification will then be submitted as part of your assessment.

Assessment

One folio of finished writing (a sheaf of poems, short stories, extract of a novel, non fiction etc) up to a limit of 4,000 words to be selected from work produced in workshops, take-home exercises and one-on-one tutorials to be submitted at the end of the Semester (80%)
One essay reflecting on aspects of the above work and supported by secondary and critical reading to support the writing submitted, between 2,000 and 3,000 words, to be submitted at the end of the Semester (20%)

Pre-requisites or entry requirements

Acceptance for the Module is based on either satisfactory completion of EN32121 Introduction to Creative Writing Practice or an approved sample of original creative writing submitted by the student in advance.