Taught Programmes
What do we mean by Creative Writing?
At Surrey we take a fairly broad view of Creative Writing, essentially viewing all writing and textual production as having creative potential. By this we don't mean to suggest that all kinds of writing are the same regardless of function and of the writer's intentions. However, we recognise that creativity is not restricted to writers of fiction, poetry or short stories but can be reflected in critical and expository works as well. Indeed, language itself has endless capacity for creative use insofar as it is possible for people to write about the same topic from different perspectives, employing different words and expressions, and to create an interesting and coherent piece of work quite different from that produced by anyone else.
In today's more visual culture, language is of course not the only means available for expressing meanings. Quite often words are combined with images to create a text which draws on different modes. Think of advertisements, for example. While in many cases the primary function is persuasive, this can sometimes be achieved in quite artistic ways.
By studying good examples of creative practice, we believe it is possible to improve one's ability to write and more generally to construct meanings in appropriate and interesting ways in specific contexts.
Modules
The Creative Writing Pathway consists of the following semester-long modules (two per level):
LEVEL 1
Introduction to Text Design I
This introductory module will begin by looking at the characteristic features of spoken and written language, as well as their interaction, bearing in mind the constitutive role of context and genre in the production of each. It will focus on the materiality of spoken and written language, their different logics and cultural shaping and view them as resources for constructing meaning. It will also provide a practice-based introduction to writing both poetry and prose.
Introduction to Text Design II
This introductory module will take account of the role of social convention in relation to text production and examine a range of textual products in a variety of professional and disciplinary contexts. It will also introduce students to scriptwriting and the creative writing workshop environment.
LEVEL 2
Cultures and Contexts of Text Design
This module will deal with the various contexts (social, political, institutional and cross-cultural) which may impact upon text production and reception; and will raise awareness of the possibilities and limitations of different modes and media and their creative and critical potential. Specifically, it will focus on the ways in which the visual and verbal interact in contemporary design and production contexts and seek to translate this awareness into enhanced textual production.
Contemporary Storytelling
This module aims to explore various modes of storytelling in a contemporary context, with a view to developing narrative skills. The course will be split into three sections: short stories and non-fiction; narrative poetry; and playwriting and screenwriting. There will be three lectures on each topic, with workshop-style seminars that require students to engage with and analyse their own writing and the writing of others, honing their ability to edit and create. This will then be assessed through two pieces of creative work derived from the workshop hand-ins; a journal that details the creative lessons learnt on each topic; and a participation grade that will be achieved through the submission and interaction within workshop setting.
LEVEL 3
Creative Writing and Professional Practice I
This module is intended to be the first part of a package of two modules which focus on narrative production and reception across a variety of contexts. Together the modules (Creative Writing and Professional Practice I and II) stress the reflexive relationship between theory and practice and promote the notion that creative writing often constitutes a critical response to other texts. Creative Writing and Professional Practice I will focus on narrative theory and analysis across modes and media and will seek to ensure that students develop a metalanguage for talking about creative practice. While there will be some opportunities for formative creative practice, the focus of CW+PP I is on narrative theory and analysis. CW+PP II will permit application of knowledge about narrative to students’ own production across a range of contexts.
Creative Writing and Professional Practice II
This module is intended to follow on from CW + PP I. It will concentrate on the practicalities of text production within the context of a broad narrative frame. It will combine short lecture inputs with text analysis and creative writing exercises designed to give students the opportunity to write in relation to a brief and under timed conditions. These pieces will provide a basis for further out-of-class work, enabling students to build on work which will constitute a Creative Writing portfolio.
Examples of student work
Below are some examples of work produced by students on our Creative Writing modules.
Christina Webb (20.86KB - Requires Adobe Reader)Karen Lee (13.44KB - Requires Adobe Reader)Katrina James (23.74KB - Requires Adobe Reader)Shervin Hejazi (23.35KB - Requires Adobe Reader)