ENGL220 Creative Writing: Reading for Writers

Overview

A study of style and techniques of literary writers, with practical exercises in creative imitation and adaptation.

This paper teaches you to read like a writer. You will read across a range of literary forms and genres for technique and style, and using literary analysis, imitation, and creative responses, you will learn to make stylistic choices and employ literary techniques in your own writing.

About this paper

Prerequisite

One 100-level ENGL paper (excluding ENGL 126) or 36 points

Schedule C

Arts and Music

Contact

nicola.cummins@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the English and Linguistics Programme website

Teaching staff

Associate Professor David Ciccoricco
Ms Nicola Cummins
Associate Professor Tom Mclean
Professor Liam McIlvanney

Paper Structure

Weekly lectures introduce a literary technique or range of techniques drawn from one of the set texts. Lectures model literary analysis with an emphasis upon the writer's strategies and practice. Each semester, two lectures will feature practising creative writers in an interview and question/answer format.

Two-hour tutorials will provide hands-on practice with the literary techniques discussed in lectures. Typically, tutorials will begin with a review and application of the lecture material through close readings of literary texts. Students will then be guided through a series of technical and/or stylistic tasks, including processes of creative imitation and adaptation; these will be discussed in small groups and presented before the class.

Teaching Arrangements

Weekly 1-hour lecture
2-hour tutorials in selected works

Assessment:

• Journal 20%
  You will keep a journal throughout the paper. Your journal should include:
  • Your analysis of and reflections on the set reading
  • Your responses to the tutorial exercises
  • Ongoing reflection upon the process of creative imitation, adaptation and literary analysis
  You will submit your journal to your tutor twice during the semester
• Identification and Terminology Test 10%
  This in-class test assesses your ability to identify and distinguish literary passages discussed in class, as well as your knowledge of literary forms, techniques and concepts employed in the selected excerpts
• Portfolio 30%
  This portfolio is a selection of the best three or four of your creative imitation exercises, along with an introduction that reflects upon and provides a rationale for your practice
• Examination 40%
  Part A - An analysis of unseen literary texts, using key terminology, techniques and concepts covered in class (20%)
  Part B - An essay answer that allows students to demonstrate integration of the core components of analysis and creative response with critical reflection (20%)

Textbooks

Course Reader

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Communication, Critical thinking, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will:

1. Gain exposure to a range of literary texts and contexts and the ability to read them closely and with insight to the particular literary techniques deployed; two-hour tutorials will introduce workshop practices to help students learn to give and receive effective feedback
2. Hone writing skills and develop new vocabularies and techniques for both creative and analytic writing through creative imitation of literary work; the development of a portfolio will give students experience in editing and presenting their own work
3. Gain the ability to judge and assess literary forms and style
4. Develop their capacity for self-directed activity through compiling their reading journal and preparing their portfolio of works
5. Be exposed to diverse literary and cultural characteristics and their influences on each other in a global cultural context through studying literary works and analysing the practice of writers both in New Zealand and around the world

Timetable