EN1CW-Introduction to Creative Writing

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Conor Carville
Email: c.carville@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module allows students to develop their skills in creative writing across a range of genres. They will be introduced to practical and theoretical issues involved in the activity, and will develop skills in the composition, criticism, revision, and polishing of creative work. Building on ideas from the lecture course, students will produce a portfolio of creative writing for discussion in seminars and contribute to the discussion of presented work. Students will also produce a critical essay derived from the subjects studied in the lecture course in consultation with seminar leaders.

Aims:

This module provides students with knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding the culture and practice of creative writing. It aims to promote skills of composition and critical self-reflection, both of the students’ own work and that of others. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students will be expected to:

• Show skills in careful textual analysis of their own and others’ work

• Prepare typescripts of writing to a proficient level

• Demonstrate an ability to think from the points of view of a reader or an audience

• Engage constructively and critically with work and ideas discussed in seminars

• Construct and express coherent arguments, both orally and in writing

Additional outcomes:

Oral and written communication skills will be developed, together with critical, interpretative and analytical abilities. Students will also enhance their IT competence through the use of relevant web resources in a critically informed manner. 

Outline content:

A number of weekly lectures will introduce a range of issues relevant to particular creative forms. The workshop content will be shaped around the assessment tasks that each student will undertake. They will experiment with formal and informal poetry, dialogue and the short story. These forms will be introduced and discussed, with examples, by the seminar leader and the class. The students will then write their own examples of the form and these will be discussed and worked on in subsequent classes. At the end of the module, the student will submit a portfolio of creative work and an accompanying essay. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lecture course and group discussion in 2-hour workshops.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	5	5
Supervised time in studio/workshop	10	10
Guided independent study:	65	65	40
Total hours by term	80	80	40
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Portfolio	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

n/a

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Portfolio (100%), to be submitted on Wednesday 20 March. This will consist of revised versions of the work you have been doing throughout the year and must include all of the following:

• A dialogue (800 words) (20 percent of the final mark)


• A 1500-word short story (20 percent of the final mark)


• 4 poems, at least one formal and one informal (20 percent of the final mark)


• A critical essay of 1500 words. (40 percent of the final mark)

Formative assessment methods:

Regular feedback in weekly workshops. Students will also receive written feedback on the assessed work, carrying 60% of the total mark, and a critical essay of approx. 1500 words on a topic agreed with the seminar leader (to be submitted along with the portfolio in the summer term) carrying 40% of the mark.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of at least 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in August / September. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be resubmitted during August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 3 October 2023