ENG-10044 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module is designed to introduce you to the key elements of successful prose fiction and story-writing.
Reading a wide selection of contemporary short stories, the module will look at the major elements of prose fiction (for example voice, narrative structure, evocation of character and place), explore how different writers approach these elements and show you how to develop them in your own writing.
The module will be taught via topic lectures, reading groups in which you will read and discuss selected short stories, and writers' workshops for you to practice and test your own compositions via peer review of your writing.

To introduce students to the key characteristics of prose fiction.
To show how the understanding of these characteristics can be employed to explore the meaning of a text.
To provide students with an awareness of the literary traditions to which their writing might respond.
To provide students with an awareness of the contemporary literary context of their own writing.
To introduce an awareness of form and genre to students' own creative writing.
To give students the opportunity to engage with creative as well as critical practice and to begin to explore the relationship between the two.

Intended Learning Outcomes

analyse the distinctive characteristics of prose fiction (narrative voice, narrative structure, evocation of place etc.): 1,2
write short, creative prose pieces that demonstrate an engagement with the critical questions raised on the module: 1
reflect critically on the creative practice (of themselves and others): 2
engage critically with the work of a range of authors of short fiction: 2
demonstrate analytic skills - close reading, description and analysis of form and meaning - using appropriate literary terminology: 2

Study hours

Lectures: 6 hours
Small Reading Groups: 6 hours
Exercise Workshops: 6 hours
Open Advice Sessions: 5 hours
Peer Review Workshops: 12 hours
Feedback: 1 hour
Individual study: 72 hours
Workshop/Assessment preparation: 42 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment