Sensory Writing

Instantly enliven and enrich your creative writing by developing description through the senses, using them as a gateway into form and as a means of connecting to a reader.

Learn about the idea of the seven senses, experiment with different forms and techniques, and find out more about the power of vivid sensory description.

Along the way, we’ll have fun with listening exercises, touching objects, following the links between taste and memory, exploring the associations of good and bad smells, and more besides.

You will explore mindfulness techniques as means of developing our stories and interested wordsmiths will be alerted to resources and anthologies related to sensory writing, although all levels and experience of writer are welcome to this course, including absolute beginners.

Learning and teaching

The module will be delivered through ten 2-hour sessions via Zoom, made up of workshops, class discussions, small group work and debates.

Topics may include:

• Key concepts of sensory writing and creative writing
• Enriching creative writing through sensory description
• Mindfulness techniques and sensory writing
• Listening exercises
• Taste and memory

Coursework and assessment

To award credits we need to have evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained or improved.

Some of this has to be in a form that can be shown to external examiners so that we can be absolutely sure that standards are met across all courses and subjects.

The most important element of assessment is that it should enhance your learning.

Our methods are designed to increase your confidence and we try very hard to devise ways of assessing you that are enjoyable and suitable for adults with busy lives.

You will complete a creative writing portfolio and write reflectively about your own process. The portfolio will be around 1500 words in length.

Reading suggestions

You will be provided with comprehensive reading suggestions at the beginning of the course. No pre-reading is required.

Library and computing facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.

Accessibility

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.