the brief

Creative Writing Elective Brief.

Wednesday 23rd February 2011

Thursday 24th February 2011

Wednesday 6th April 2011

Thursday 7th April 2011

09:00-17:00

Tutors: Char March/Garry Barker

Room: 206, Blenheim Walk

Context:

You will take part in a range of practical excercises which will help you to understand some of the tools and techniques that are required in creative writing- whether you choose to write poetry, prose, or drama. 

NOTE: You do NOT need any previous experience of creative writing to take this course. Please DO NOT worry about spelling, grammar, etc- lots of dyslexic students have taken this course and have got a great deal out of it. The whole emphasis on the course is to be creative with your writing- not on following English rules and regulations...and to have fun in the process of learning a great deal! But remember, this course is very intensive- you will be given masses of different writing excercises to do, and will be expected to throw yourself into them all- so come prepared to work hard, and have fun.

Brief:

Over 4 one-day sessions we will be looking at a variety of writing techniques:

-Creating "found" poems

-Using all of your senses in your writing

-Putting yourself in your writing- and taking yourself out of it too!

-Creating believable characters

-Plot development

We will also cover:

-Performing your work

-Recieveing, and giving, constructive feedback

-Editing your writing

In the 4-week-gap between the first 2 days, and the final 2 days, you will work on your own written piece- either a series of poems, or a short story, or the synopsis for an opening scene of a stage/radio or TV drama.

Assessment will be based upon the portfolio of written work that you hand in at the end, which will consist of your work done in class, the above writing assignment, and any independent writing. 25% of the assessment will also come from your creative writing journal (which you should write up through your course) including a 500 word evaluation of the process, outling which aspects of your writing you need to work on, and how you would have learnt, and the ideas you have generated- and how they could reflect upon your main course of study.

Preperation/Research Suggestions:

Start noticing characters and plots in everything you read, watch, and tackle in everyday life.

Please bring with you to EVERY session:

-An A4 writing pad

-2 pens

-a coloured pen

-a willingmess to learn and have a go at a whole range of practical and fun writing excercises.

-a sense of humour!

PLEASE BRING WITH YOU TO THE FIRST SESSION, THE LAST 3 THINGS YOU HAVE READ- please be honest! these can be books or magazines- fiction or non-fiction. 

AND PLEASE BRING TO THE FIRST SESSION: YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK.

FINAL CRIT AND DEADLINE: Thursday 7th April 2011.