EL7010 - Approaches to Writing

What will I learn on this module?

On this module you will learn the basic techniques used in the writing of creative text. Through discussion and analysis of examples you will develop an understanding of different kinds of narrative structure and poetic form. This will form the basis for your development in reading as a writer. In the practice of drafting your own creative work, (in workshop exercises and in crafting and drafting your own creative work), you will learn how to research your projects, and also learn about the technical requirements of different forms of text, the creative process required to draft creative work, and the practice-based concepts and terminology involved in reflecting critically on your own creative practice. You will develop a practical understanding of how to offer critical feedback on your peers’ work and how to edit your own.

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through workshops and tutorials. In workshops you will learn through tutor presentation, through your own writing practice and through discussion of both published texts and of your own draft work. Workshops will focus on specific aspects of writing, and workshop writing exercises will give you the opportunity to explore and try out these aspects (eg point of view). You will be able to gain tutor feedback on your own draft work during one to one tutorials. Appropriate use will be made of the VLE to ensure students have all materials necessary for their learning, and, where appropriate, for use by students as a forum for exchange of draft work.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will receive support from the module tutor, and can also seek support from the programme director and your guidance tutor.
Advice and support will be provided in lectures, seminars and individual tutorials and through tutor and peer feedback in groups on the development of creative and critical projects. You also have access to specialised services provided by central university departments and close and effective links have been developed with student’s services, the career service, the library and information services and the students union. You are encouraged to meet and discuss their work outside the programme.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Show an advanced understanding of practice-based approaches to creative practice and be able to engage with them in original creative work

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Show the ability to deploy revision techniques to produce a sophisticated, coherent and sustained piece of creative writing

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
3. Ability to research and produce work independently and manage your own project
4. Demonstrate the ability to respond to critical feedback in a considered, practical manner, and to offer equally rigorous and sensitive feedback to others through workshopping

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment: formative feedback will be offered in two half hour tutorials, as well as through seminar and written feedback on draft material. This will meet MLO 4

Summative assessment will be through submission of a portfolio with 3 components: two pieces of creative work, in two different forms (eg. 1st: fiction 2nd: script), each of 2500 words or equivalent; plus 1 commentary referencing both pieces of creative work. The portfolio will carry a single overall mark. This will meet MLO 1-3.

1,000 words of prose will be treated as equivalent to 5 pages of script or 40 lines of poetry.

Feedback on summative work will be delivered according to the existing protocols of the Department of Humanities: all assessments are anonymized and moderated with feedback (with comments on feedback sheets) returned to the student with the final moderated grade. Feedback will encourage and facilitate reflective learning through the feedback sheet grid which pinpoints particular areas of strengths/weakness and the narrative comments which encourage students to consider how they have succeeded and how they can improve.

Pre-requisite(s)

none

Co-requisite(s)

none

Module abstract

Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.

Course info

Credits 30

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years part-time
1 other options available

Department Humanities

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2023

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

 

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