Creative Writing

MA in Creative Writing

Mode: full-time

The workshop programme is run by one of Wales’ leading writers, Menna Elfyn. It draws upon a number of adjunct writing staff, and the support of academics experienced in the teaching of all aspects of creative writing.

In addition to the course itself the University supports a number of reading and social events in which you would be able to participate, as well as the publication of a course anthology showcasing students' work.

Course Content

1. Introduction to Genre
Tutor lead discussion of a broad range of genres and writing techniques, including characterisation and narrative voice in fiction, poetic form, imagery, monologue and dialogue, scripting. Theoretical discussion will be focused around practical writing activities. Assessment will be by means of a portfolio of your best pieces of work arising from these writing exercises.

2. The Writers' World
A seminar programme which covers issues of publishing and opportunities for the writer. Areas covered might include: writers' organisations, support funding, agents, publishers, translation, writing for children, journalism, writing for radio and TV. Discussion will be tutor led, but will lead to specified writing tasks to broaden your own understanding of the writers' world. Assessment will be by means of a portfolio of your best pieces of work.

3. Writing Workshop 1
Run by internationally acclaimed writers, this workshop is designed to introduce and put into practice the research skills necessary to the creative writer. It will focus on the production of a piece of sustained work, in a genre of your choice, around a central theme. This will be supported by a research log.

4. Writing Workshop 2
Run by internationally acclaimed writers, this workshop is designed to build on your workshop skills and to develop an awareness of issues of audience and market. It will focus on the production of a piece of sustained work, in a genre of your choice, around a central theme. This will be supplemented with a series of short reviews of recently published material.

5. Creative Project
The creative project will be a significant piece of creative writing which you will produce under the supervision of a tutor with experience of the genre of your choice. Regular individual tutorials will be held with the writer to discuss your work in progress. The final project will be submitted, with a supporting reflective essay, in which you will be encouraged to reflect critically on the nature of your own practice.

• Providing the opportunity to complete a significant piece of writing under expert tuition
• The opportunity to work through the medium of Welsh or English, or both
• Access to internationally acclaimed writers
• A concentration upon practical activities underpinned by theoretical rigour
• Access to publishers and other organisations supporting writers
• Opportunity to study either full or part time
• Optional residential writers' weekend
• Publication of course anthology
• Visiting readers and public reading opportunities for students

Programme Specification
Educational Aims
The main educational aims of the programme are:

• to provide, for the student with a serious commitment to creative writing, the opportunity to complete, with guidance and advice from experienced writers, a significant piece of creative work (in English or Welsh); and, in so doing,
• to assist the student to a more complex understanding of the nature and difficulties of creative writing;
• to create the spirit of a writers' community in which the student will have regular and supportive contact with a wide range of writers, both professional and otherwise;
• to acquaint the student with some techniques and strategies for the teaching of creative writing;
• to encourage creativity and critical self-reflection and an awareness of cultural and linguistic production and reception of meaning.

Programme Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
The programme will provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of:

• a range of genres;
• the range and variety of creative practice;
• the role of the creative writer;
• the market demands for creative writing.

Cognitive / Intellectual Skills
The programme will provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the following:

• the ability to articulate knowledge and understanding of a range of creative practice;
• the ability to engage critically with various and varying creative perspectives;
• sensitivity to the roles of language and culture in the creation of meaning;
• the ability to plan and execute creative projects.

Practical / Professional Skills
The programme will provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the following:

• the ability to apply communication skills in a wide range of different contexts;
• aptitude in the acquisition and processing of diverse and complex information for, and into, structured projects;
• the ability to present their work to meet rigorous professional standards and an awareness of the market place for creative writing.

Transferable / Key Skills
The programme will provide students with the opportunity to develop the following:

• the ability to communicate effectively complex information in a variety of different formats;
• independent research skills of information retrieval and organization;
• information-technology skills, including the use of electronic resources;
• effective time-management and organizational skills;
• the capacity for independent thought and judgement and ability to challenge received ideas.