Module Code: 1LIB423

Module Aims
The module aims to examine through practice and critical analysis of exemplary material
the function and process of creative writing. Students will be encouraged by the series of
workshops in which they will discuss their own work and that of other students in order to
help them become critically reflective practitioners. The emphasis will be on short story
writing. Students will need to have produced a draft piece of work by week 2 of the
module (this may have been begun before the module started) for workshop discussions.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
• show through both their own creative practice and critical analysis and close reading
of exemplary materials a knowledge of several of the functions and processes of
creative writing;
• show through their creative practice the ability to use and control character, plot,
narrative, tone, point of view, voice, mood, tense, description, detail, dialogue,
etc. as appropriate;
• illustrate the capacity to reflect critically (including historically, contextually, and
stylistically) on their own written productions and to show themselves critical
practitioners;
• demonstrate a knowledge of drafting (and redrafting) as part of the process of
textual production and of the ability to annotate / footnote in this redrafting;
• indicate through group work discussion of both their work and that of other students,
that they can offer and respond with useful and constructive criticism;
• produce a completed text (word processed) accompanied by a completed log.

Indicative Syllabus Content
The module is aimed towards the writing of short stories rather than poetry, drama or
novels: the functions and processes of creative writing; character, plot, narrative, tone,
point of view, voice, mood, tense, description, detail, dialogue; drafting and redrafting;
the process of textual production; independent research skills; skills of analysis and
synthesis; communication (written and oral) and linguistic awareness.
Teaching and Learning Methods
The module is delivered via presentations, workshops in class and/or in computer rooms,
group discussion, and individual tuition. Guest speakers may from time to time be invited
to provide an individual perspective.

Assessment Rationale
Assessment is designed to demonstrate the extent to which the student has become a
reflective practitioner of creative writing.

Assessment Criteria
Students will produce a body of creative writing amounting to approximately 3,000
words. It is anticipated that most students will produce one or more short stories, but
students may produce an extract from a longer work by arrangement with the module
leader, or poetry or a scene from a play, demonstrating a variety of skills. Students are
expected to demonstrate that the can:
• produce a substantial body of good literary work of their own;
• use and control character, plot, narrative, tone, point of view, voice, mood, tense,
description, detail, dialogue, etc. as appropriate.
Students will also produce a reflective log (c.1,000) words, in which it is expected that
they can:
• Demonstrate evidence of a reflective and self-critical approach to creative writing;
• Demonstrate evidence of a developmental engagement with the process of literary
production.
Assessment Methods and Weightings
Body of work: 80%
Reflective Log: 20%

Essential Reading
J. Castlerton, Creative Writing: A Practical Guide (Macmillan 1988)
(eds.) J. Singleton and M. Luckhurst, The Creative Writing Handbook: Techniques For
New Writers (Macmillan 1996)
Further Reading:
M. Baldwin, The Way To Write Short Stories (Elm Tree Books 1986)
M. Bugeja, The Art and Craft of Poetry (Writer’s Digest Books 1994)
(ed.) J Fredetter, The Writer’s Digest Handbook of Short Story Writing Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
(Writer’s Digest Books 1991)
S. Sorenson, How To Write Short Stories (Arco/Macmillan USA 1994)
T. Kane and L Peters, Writing Prose 6th ed. (Oxford University Press 1986)
T. Kane, The New Oxford Guide To Writing (Oxford University Press 1994)
N. Kress, Beginnings, Middles and Ends (Writer’s Digest Books 1993)
L Peach and A Burton, English As A Creative Art : Literary Concepts Linked To Creative
Writing (David Fulton Publishers 1995)
P. Sansom, Writing Poems (Bloodaxe Books 1994)
(ed.) S. Sellers, Delighting The Heart : Women Writers (The Womans Press 1997)
(ed.) Barry Turner, The Writer’s Handbook: An International Resource Guide (Macmillan
/ PEN annual editions from 1987)
Date of Initial Validation: May 2003
Date of CASG Approved Modifications:
Date of Re-validation/Review: May 2009