Credits value: 12

Module Tutor: Mr. Tshering Wangdi

General Objective

This module is designed to provide non-creative writing students with practical guidance and technical aspects to start writing creatively in the genres of prose fiction, poetry and drama. Using examples and extracts from published writing – students will learn the necessity of building good habits of journaling, reading, writing regularly and learning how to participate in workshops.  The module will also familiarize students to a range of literary devices and techniques (Plots, characters, narratives, images, structures and patterns), which students will explore as models for their own original creative writing. Students will also learn how to draw on memories, imagination, observation and research and edit their work in order to develop a variety of creative texts.

Students will be encouraged to develop a range of imaginative responses to lectures and writing workshops within the framework of creative reading, drafting, discussion and re-writing. Students will be expected to keep a writer’s notebook throughout the module where they can reflect on their personal development as they explore the processes of creativity.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

·         Explain the basic principles of creative writing, including the reasons why we write

·         Employ a variety of exercises and extracts to promote creative writing

·         Evaluate and utilize the key skills in writing prose fiction, poems and drama     

·         Introduce workshop skills and promote confidence in writing and discussion

·         Write coherently and creatively in all categories of writing.

Subject Matter

General:

·         What is Creative Writing?

·         Why do we write?

o   Communication of Ideas

o   Development of Talent

o   Writing as a Profession, etc.)

·         What are the qualities of a good writer?

·         The Writing Situation

·         The Writing Process

o   The Building Blocks of Writing

o   Sharpening your Power of Imagination

o   Thought Progression Chart

o   Plagiarism

o   Free Writing (Automatic Writing)

o   Idea Generating Tree, Brainstorming, Mind Mapping or Clustering, Talking to Other People & Cubing

Specific to Writing Prose, Poem & Drama:

·         Plot

·         Methods of narration, creation and control of narrative, poetic, or rhetorical voice

·         Control of points of view/focalization

·         Methods of characterization

·         Mood creation & tension release

·         Deployment of figurative language

·         Control of rhythm

·         Audience construction

·         Deployment and control of dialogue

Teaching and learning approach

Lecture:  4 Hours per week, Tutorial: 2 Hours per week, Workshop, Group discussion, Presentation, Journal Etc.

Mode of Assessment

Writer’s Workshop Portfolio on any one of the genres (4000 – 5000 words)                        70%

Self – reflective critical write up (750 – 1000 words)                                                            20%

Participation (Workshop & Class activities)                                                                           10%

Suggested & Essential Reading

Anderson, L. (2006). Creative Writing: A Workbook. London: Routledge.

Benson, Davidson (2004). Writing and Rewriting. London: Hope.

Berke, Jacqueline. (2000). Twenty Questions for the Writer: A Rhetoric with Readings. Chicago: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Birkett, J. (1993). Word Power: A Guide to Creative Writing. London: A and C Black.

Bright, Crane (2008). This is the Way I Write. Toronto: High Publishers.

Byatt, A.S. (ed.). (2009). The Oxford Book of English Short Stories. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Catron, L. E. (1993). The Elements of Playwriting. Basingstoke: Macmillan.

Chisolm, A. (1997). The Craft of Writing Poetry. London: Allison and Bushby.

Cleave, Dave (2009). The Writer’s Psychology. London: Web Publishers.

Cox, A. (2005). Writing Short Stories. London: Routledge.

Creign, David. (2004). How to be a Writer. Sydney: Teleline.

Dewey, Stephen. (2009). What is Creative Writing? New Delhi: Orange Hills.

Jim, Steve (2008). The Writing Process. Trinidad: Miami Publishers.

Leech, H. (2007). Everything you need to know about Creative Writing. London: Continuum.

Moreley, David. (2012). The Cambridge Companion to Creative Writing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

W, Packhard. (1987). The Art of the Playwright. London: Paragon Press.

Module developed by Mr. Tshering Wangdi