Overview

Creative non-fiction is an ever-evolving genre challenging traditional ideas of fact-based narratives. This module explores the ways in which writers have troubled the distinction between writing that is classed as ‘fiction’ and its constitutive others, such as biography, autobiography, history, travel writing, critical writing and nature writing.

Module topics may include: writing the self; writing history; biography; the essay form; creative audio and writing for the ear; writing place; art criticism; nature writing and travel writing. As well as examining these subjects from the practitioner's perspective, students will be encouraged to work on and share their own creative practice, helped by writing exercises and workshops, whilst developing skills in reading and constructive criticism.

Assessment Strategy

Excellent: Typically, work graded A- to A** (or 70 to 100) will show many of the following qualities: • Excellent levels of originality, vision and depth; striking and thorough engagement with ideas. • Excellent understanding and control of form. • Impressive linguistic control and/or innovation. • Sophisticated understanding of the creative process and assured control of decisions made in writing.

Good: Typically, work graded B- to B+ (or 60 to 69) will show many of the following qualities: • Demonstration of a degree of vitality and originality. • Very good understanding of generic conventions; sound use of structures and forms. • Resourceful use of language. • Sound understanding of the creative process and thoughtful control of decisions made in writing. • Very good work.

Satisfactory: Typically, work graded C- to C+ (or 50 to 59) will show many of the following qualities: • Some attempt at serious exploration of ideas. • Some link between themes and form. Good attempt to engage with form, but this may not be entirely sustained. • Use of language technically proficient, but not always focused. • Some awareness of the creative process and of decisions made in writing. • Good work.

Threshold: Typically, work graded D- to D+ (or 40-49) will show many of the following qualities: • Limited engagement with ideas. • Link between themes and form not always clear. • Limited sense of formal conventions. Inconsistent with regard to linguistic technicalities. • Limited awareness of redrafting and editing process.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply relevant creative processes and research techniques required to write in creative non-fiction forms

• Identify ways in which decisions made in the creative process may challenge the distinction between fiction and non-fiction

• The ability to discuss their own creative writing in relation to a culturally and historically broad range of writing styles, forms, and genres

• The ability to evaluate critical and cultural theories and concepts and describe their significance for creative practice

• The ability to explain and reflect on creative processes and practices, and to develop new writing strategies as a result of critical self-reflection

• The ability to produce writing that demonstrates command of the form, medium, and linguistic register in which the student is working.