Overview

Creative Writing: The Novel will guide you through the ways and means of writing a novel. With reference to works of contemporary fiction, you will be taught methods of composition and creation of novels, including practical and analytical consideration of novelistic structure, viewpoint, voice and role-play, and developing style and tone.

The study of fiction-writing at Level 5 provides a valuable opportunity for independent exploration and innovation. While you may choose to work in a particular fictional genre, you will be encouraged to extend its boundaries and to challenge market-led tropes. You will be encouraged to produce work of high literary and imaginative quality, enhanced by a professional standard of presentation, and aware of its literary and social context.

Creative Writing: The Novel includes, with reference to the practical application of these elements, consideration of the variety of forms relevant to the contemporary novel, comparing and contrasting novels, present and past, with other forms of creative writing. It will also cover synopsis and query writing and the publishing tree.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Typically, work graded D- to D+ (or 40 to 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. Work in need of some revision

-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, which at times comes close to publishable standard.

-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. Dynamic work approaching publishable standard.

-another level-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, but its strengths need to be more fully sustained to reach publishable standard.

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss and apply a broad range of original approaches to the novel form

• Produce work of a near professional standard through reflection, revision, and editing

• The ability to relate your own approach to novel-writing to the wider field of contemporary and historic literatures

• The ability to write concise, expressive, grammatical English.