University of Essex

LT209-5-SP-CO:
Writing Structures

PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.

The details

Year: 2024/25

Department: Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Spring

Level: Undergraduate: Level 5

Status: Inactive

Start date: Monday 13 January 2025

End date: Friday 21 March 2025

Credits: 15

Last updated: 09 February 2021

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: LT191

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This focusses on two key aspects of all writing –how writers continually make the familiar unfamiliar ('defamiliarisation') and how writers tell stories (and in so many different genres and ways). Accordingly, we look together at techniques and examples of defamiliarisation and narrative-making in both theory and practice. Seminars typically allow space for individual and group writing exercises.

Module aims

Aims
1. Enhance awareness of structural possibilities open to writers of poetry and prose
2. Develop appropriate range of exercises in order to avoid over-writing
3. Promote a more sensitive awareness of the potential of metaphor together with increasing confidence in using it appropriately (and surprisingly)
4. Explore a range of (possibly unfamiliar) narrative structures

Module learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an evolving individual poetic or prose style
2. think critically and rigorously about the use of language in literary contexts
3. demonstrate a development of (self-)critical engagement and discriminatory ability over the course of the module
4. engage with a wide range of reading and literary models in a focussed and analytical-critical way

Module information

1. Defamiliarisation 1: 'Making it new'
2. Defamiliarisation 2: On metaphor
3. Defamiliarisation 3: Foregrounding. Writing as commodity
4. Defamiliarisation 4: Dreams, metaphor and the surreal
5. Defamiliarisation 5: Graphic writing and synoptic forms
6. Narrative 1: What are narratives?
7. Narrative 2: Fairy tales
8. Narrative 3: Epics
9. Narrative 4: Narratives in verse
10. Narrative 5: Narrative and myth. Properties of dragons

Learning and teaching methods

Weekly 2-hour seminar

Bibliography

Smith, H. (2005) The Writing Experiment: Strategies for Innovative Creative Writing. Crows Nest, AU: Allen & Unwin. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=136664.
Anderson, L. and Neale, D. (2009) Writing Fiction. 1st edn. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1581578.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor:

Teaching staff:

Contact details:

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: Yes

External examiner

Name: Dr Eleanor Perry

Institution: University of Kent

Academic role: Lecturer in Creative Writing (Poetry)

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: No lecture recording information available for this module.

Further information

Department website: Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies

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Module Directory

LT209-5-SP-CO:Writing Structures