Modes of Writing

Aims and Objectives:

The module aims can be broken down as follows:

It offers students an introduction to several practices of writing, including fiction, literary essay, performative writing including screenwriting, and poetry.
Rhetoric, form and genre will be among the topics discussed and practised.
Students will produce examples of high quality work to meet specific challenges.
It will enable students to develop a range of creative as well as expository styles and approaches; to understand and practice various forms of address; and to be read more widely in contemporary world literature.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, practices, and traditions within the core genres of creative writing: fiction, essay, performance writing, and poetry. • Understand fundamental elements of each genre (narrative, argument, voice, form). • Recognize the cultural, historical, and social contexts shaping creative writing.
2. Produce original creative work across fiction, essay, performance writing, and poetry, demonstrating initial development of craft, experimentation, and personal voice. • Employ appropriate techniques for genre and purpose. • Show willingness to experiment within genre boundaries.
3. Critically analyse and interpret creative and critical texts in all four genres, using relevant terminology to explore construction of meaning and effect. • Engage with texts to understand aesthetic, formal, and thematic elements. • Develop skills in close reading and contextual analysis.
4. Participate actively in collaborative workshops and tutorials, giving and responding to constructive feedback to revise and improve creative work. • Develop skills in peer review and reflective practice. • Demonstrate openness to critique and capacity for self-directed improvement.
5. Communicate ideas and arguments clearly and coherently in both written and oral forms, adapting style to suit fiction, essay, performance writing, and poetry contexts. • Tailor communication for audience and genre conventions. • Use appropriate rhetorical and stylistic techniques. • Effective communication across creative and critical forms.
6. Reflect critically on their own creative processes and outcomes across genres, identifying strengths and areas for further development. • Demonstrate emerging ability to self-evaluate and plan learning.

Teaching Methods:

Weekly workshops. Warwick Thursday visiting writer events. Individual tutorials given by Writing Programme staff.

Structure of the module:

The module has four units: Fiction, Literary Essay, Beyond Books, and Poetry. Each unit begins with a lecture, followed by workshops, and is taught by a different writer.

Students are also expected to attend all Warwick Thursday visiting writer events.

Reading is offered in links to PDF documents, the university library's online Talis system, and websites.

Assessment:

100% assessed = 4 assignments [25% each]

You submit an assignment for each of the four units. These assignments each count for 25% of your final score. Details of the the 4 assignments are given below.

Fiction

Assessment

Literary Essay

Assessment

A literary essay of 1500 words

Beyond Books

Assessment

Portfolio of 1000 words and a reflective commentary of 500 words

Assessment