Prose and Poetry Writing

Code

ENGL2029

School

English

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn Malaysia

Summary

This module will allow students to develop the process of writing prose and poetry, as established in the Beginning Creative Writing module, by engaging in various forms of reading and practice. Particular issues for consideration in prose might include narrative voice and technique, point of view, character development, dialogue, plot, and setting; in poetry the content takes a range of approaches to poetic form, and focuses on forms including the sonnet, the sestina and the cut-up. Activities will include creative and analytical responses to selected works, writing exercises in both major genres, and participation in workshop sessions with their peers. By the end of the module students will revise selected work based upon feedback and suggestions received during workshop.

Target Students

Core module for students taking Level 2 of BA in English with Creative Writing. Optional for level 2 students on single honours degrees in English who have taken the prerequisite of Beginning Creative Writing. Not available to exchange students.

Classes

• One 3-hour workshop each week for 12 weeks

Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester.

Assessment

• 35% Project 1: Original writing specific to literary form: two poems totalling 40 lines, submitted in Week 6.
• 15% Coursework 2: Reflective essay on prose (750 words), submitted in Week 9.
• 35% Project 2: Original writing specific to literary form: one 1750-word short story, submitted at end Autumn semester.
• 15% Coursework 1: Reflective essay on poetry (750 words), submitted in Week 4.

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding of:

• the elements of prose fiction, including narrative voice and technique, point of view, character development, dialogue, plot, and setting.
• The features of poetic forms, including sonnet, sestina, cut-up etc
• The process of editorial feedback and revision
• constructive responses to the work of others
• the publication process

Intellectual skills

• the ability to think analytically about works in progress
• the ability to assess critically one’s own work
• the ability to discuss and apply editorial suggestions to one’s own writing

Professional practical skills

• the ability to develop a work in progress in accordance with the responses of others
• the ability to write adaptively in an assigned context
• the ability to conduct research, evaluating and employing secondary sources in a scholarly manner

Conveners

• Dr Shivani Sivagurunathan