Creative Writing

After completing this course students are able to:
 
1.            write and edit literary and academic texts with highly advanced English proficiency, up to and beyond effective operational proficiency (CEFR C1) to mastery (CEFR C2);
2.            respond to literary texts, applying analytical tools in the disciplines of stylistics and literary criticism;
3.            reflect critically on their own work and intertextual influences, citing theory and the work of published authors.

Content
The course offers assignments with options in literary fiction & non-fiction in prose & poetry. Neither fiction aimed at children/young adults nor other genre fiction feature. A minimum of CEFR C1 level in English writing is assumed and participants are expected to use the OED (online via the library), thesauruses and spelling checkers to produce grammatically and lexically accurate prose. This course stresses process writing, rewriting & editing as essential to craft. Students read aloud their prose & poetry in writers’ workshops. Offering constructive verbal & written peer-criticism is an essential element. CW’s place in the academy is predicated on acts of practice-led research. Students therefore write critical exegeses, citing relevant theory, to accompany all assignments including the portfolio, which weigh heavily in assessment.


Format
One plenary class and one writing workshop in groups each week.