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CW101-30 Modes of Writing: An Introduction

Department
SCAPVC - Warwick Writing Programme
Level
Undergraduate Level 1
Module leader
David Morley
Credit value
30
Module duration
19 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

EN124-30 Modes of Writing: An Introduction

The main purpose of the module as a whole is to introduce students to writing poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and other forms of writing. They will also gain critical insights into contemporary literature and the process of literary production.

Module web page

Module aims

The module aims can be broken down as follows:

  1. It offers students an introduction to several practices of
    writing, including poetry, creative non-fiction, fiction,
    performance, and other forms of writing.
  2. Rhetoric, form and genre will be among the topics discussed and practised.
  3. Students will produce examples of high quality work to meet specific challenges.
  4. 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.
Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Unit 1: Fiction
Unit 2: Poems
Unit 3: Digital Memoirs
Unit 4: The Essay

Learning outcomes

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

  • Demonstrate some knowledge and understanding of a range of examples of contemporary fiction, poetry, non-fiction and performance2. Have received an introduction to some literatures in English and the practice and imitation of these literatures3. Demonstrate some knowledge of useful and precise critical and practical terminology and linguistic and stylistic terminology4. have acquired some awareness of the power and practice of the imagination in literary creation5. have acquired some awareness of the range and variety of approaches to the practice of writing and its creative practice6. have improved their skills in writing a critical commentary on their own writing
Indicative reading list

Bausch, Richard et al, The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction, (W.W. Norton and Co, 2015)
Calvino, Italo, Six Memos for the Next Millennium, (Penguin, 2016)
Franzen, Jonathan, The Best American Essays, (Best American Paper, 2016)
Gross, John, The Oxford Book of Essays, (Oxford Books, 2008)
Morley, David, The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing (Cambridge University Press, 2007)
Orwell, George, Shooting an Elephant: And other Essays, (Penguin, 2003)
Shapard, Robert, Flash Fiction Forward (W.W. Norton and Co, 2010)
Woolf, Virginia, A Room of One’s Own (Penguin 2012)

Subject specific skills

Acquired some knowledge and understanding of a range of examples of contemporary fiction, poetry and non-fiction.
Received an introduction to some literatures in English and to the practice and imitation of those literatures.
Acquired some knowledge of the power and practice of the imagination in literary creation.
Acquired and introductory knowledge of useful and precise critical and practical terminology and, where appropriate, of linguistic and stylistic terminology.
Acquired some awareness of the range and variety of approaches to the practice of writing.
Improved skills in writing a critical commentary

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.

Study time

Type Required
Seminars 19 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (9%)
Private study 271 hours 30 minutes (90%)
Total 300 hours
Private study description

Reading & research

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time
Unit 4 - Essay 20%

Assessed written essay

Final Portfolio 20%

1500 words - or equivalent in poetry (6 pages of poetry) and 500 word commentary

Unit 2 - Poetry 20%

8 pages of poems

Unit 1 - Fiction & Commentary 20%

1400 words of fiction, with a 600 word commentary

Unit 3 - Digital Memoir 20%

8-minute digital memoir in the form of a video, an audio file, or a sound art piece (equivalent to 2000 words).

Feedback on assessment

Written feedback via Tabula, classroom discussion, office hours.

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of UENA-QP36 Undergraduate English Literature and Creative Writing