Module Catalogue 2024/25

SEL1000 : Introduction to Creative Writing

SEL1000 : Introduction to Creative Writing

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Alex Pheby
  • Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
  • Capacity limit: 135 student places
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

none

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

none

Aims

To develop the student’s imaginative capacity, confidence and technical skills in writing poetry, script and creative prose.
To introduce them to the teaching methods of Creative Writing.
To encourage them to read as writers, and to discuss critically their own creative writing and that of others.

Outline Of Syllabus

There are a series of lectures which introduce students to the principles, methods and techniques of Creative Writing. These are accompanied by seminar teaching, where students may be given exercises to help them write creative texts; engage in close reading of exemplar texts; or bring in creative work which will then be discussed by the workshop members. There is also an individual tutorial to discuss submission. Responding to project work set in lectures and exercises given in seminars, students build up a portfolio of work independently and maintain a creative journal.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. The student will acquire insight into the imaginative processes of writing.
2. The student will also acquire insight into the affective power of language.
3. The student will understand key technical aspects of poetic form, script and creative prose structure.
4. The student will expand their knowledge of a range of contemporary poetry, scriptwriting and creative prose.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. The ability to employ various different kinds of creative writing.
3. The ability to read their work and that of others with attention to verbal and formal creativity.
4. The ability to read exemplar and other texts with attention to verbal and formal creativity.
5. The ability to engage in discussion with others about their own and others' creative work.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture72:0014:00Lectures introduce students to the course, including principles and methods of creativity.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching10:150:15Individual tutorial to prepare for submission
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching92:0018:00Seminars
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1167:45167:45N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures give an overview of the course's aims and introduce the students to the principle methods of learning creative writing: the writing exercise, close reading of exemplar texts, and the group discussion of creative texts, as well as formal issues about the composition of poetry, creative prose, and script. The seminars encourage students to create and discuss texts. Students build up a portfolio of work independently: this is then discussed before submission in one-to-one tutorial.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Portfolio1A100See rationale for details of portfolio
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Submitted portfolio of creative texts, which may consist of either 10-12 poems, 2000 words theatre script, 2500 words screenwriting, 3000 words of creative prose, or (if discussed and agreed with the tutor) a combination of these elements, or an equivalent amount of work completed as assignments.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.