EL40YK: CREATIVE WRITING: VOICE AND PLACE (2015-2016)

The course will be taught in two parts, the first focusing on the role of voice in fiction and poetry, the second concentrating on the equally fundamental role that a sense of place plays in the creation of compelling literary works. The first six weeks of the course will encourage students to consider both theoretical and practical aspects of voice in fiction and poetry as a primary means of improving their own knowledge and practical expertise as writers. It offers students the opportunity to develop their creative processes and practical literary skills in a supportive, constructive learning environment. Teaching consists of carefully targeted critical advice and guidance from the class tutor and peer evaluation from class members in a workshop environment. Examples of writing by both recognised authors and class members will be used to enhance students' awareness of the key role of voice in imaginative writing, leading to practical application in their own creative work. In the second six weeks of the course students will examine their own writing practice in relation to place and topography. Philip Larkin spoke of the 'Importance of Elsewhere', but how do we preserve the integrity of our 'elsewheres' without succumbing to distortion and exoticization. Class discussions will encourage critical and practical responses to questions such as: How might we go beyond existing genres and categories and allow the writing of place to find its own forms' Issues of historical context, atmosphere, setting and form will be studied, and students' work subject to detailed critique and workshopping by the group. In offering students the opportunity to develop their understanding of and practical skills in the writing of prose fiction and poetry, the course also contributes to their future career potential (whether as creative or other kinds of professional writers) and provides them with a better understanding of how literary works are constructed.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

View EL40YK Timetable

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt: 2 x short folios of creative work in poetry or prose, 90%, Seminar Assessment Mark 10% In teaching week 7 students will submit 1 x completed portfolio of fiction of 1500-3500 words total, or 1 x short portfolio of poetry comprising 60 - 120 lines (45%) based on the use of voice in creative writing. In the week following the end of teaching students will submit 1 x completed portfolio of fiction of 1500-3500 words total, or 1 x short portfolio of poetry comprising 60 - 120 lines (45%) based on the conception of place in creative writing. At the end of the module, students will be evaluated on their draft creative work thoroughout the course (10%) Resit: For honours students only: candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit a new essay.

Course journal.

Weekly feedback on journal work and class contributions. Detailed written feedback on summative assessment.

None.