Creative writing is designed to stimulate students in the practice of three key areas: poetry, fiction and creative non fiction (including life writing and autobiography). In the course of two terms you will be exposed to published work in all these areas, and you will be asked to think about why these examples work – or don’t – for you as a reader.

In seminars you will spend time discussing both published literature, and your own experience of writing in different genres. There will be at least two workshops in each term, in which you will have a chance to discuss particular pieces of your own work, and exchange comments and constructive criticism with other members of the group. Seminar time will also be spent in writing exercises, with a view to stimulating independent work outside ‘class time’.

Assessment is by a portfolio of approximately 5000 words, submitted at the start of the summer term.

The core text will be Creative Writing ed. Linda Anderson. While we will not be using this book in class every week, you will be expected to ‘get to know’ particular chapters, both in preparation for seminar discussion and independently depending on the individual interests you develop during the course. You should also read as much contemporary literature (fiction, poetry and creative non fiction) as possible in preparation.

For further information about this module, please contact Dr Carolyn Oulton: carolyn.oulton@canterbury.ac.uk|.