Creative writing: an introduction to writing creative non-fiction

Course Dates

By studying this week, the students should have:

become familiar with navigating around the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and from VLE to links and back
test your ability to access files and the web conferencing software and sort out any problems with the help of the Technology Enhanced Learning team
learn how to look for, assess and reference internet resources
contribute to a discussion forum to introduce yourself to other students and discuss why you are interested in the course and what you hope to get out of your studies

To discuss the nature of creative non-fiction.

to gain an understanding of this hybrid genre: what does 'creative non-fiction' mean
to explore creative non-fiction and its many forms and styles: what is it for and what can it do

To explore the building blocks of creative non-fiction.

to gain an understanding of structure, style, language, flow, brevity, clarity, characterisation, description, and dialogue
to appreciate how writing can communicate, inform, and induce delight
to give participants an opportunity to begin to develop their own writing voice
to read and critique a piece of creative non-fiction

To explore what facts are, where to find them, and what to do with them.

To explore the process of editing and revising.

to gain the knowledge of how to vary the pace, inject tension, when to cut and when to stop
experiencing writing for a particular audience
to gain an understanding of what to do if you get stuck
to explore the means to develop a lucid and engagingly memorable style

To look at the essay form, from journalistic to lyrical, variously using argument, exposition, narrative, and description.

to gain an understanding of humour, with, and satire in creative non-fiction
to develop an appreciation of the ways writers can use research, including interviews, in their work
to explore different genres and styles of writing
to provide the opportunity to experiment with their own voice