The Sound of Writing

Are you looking to develop your writing portfolio this year?

Tailored for amateur writers, this course is for those who may already have their own writing goals and would like regular feedback, prompts, and inspiration to support their learning and progress.

You will explore how using precise language, with an awareness of sound in writing, can enhance style and meaning.

This course will provide space for you to develop your writing style, drafting anything from long-form fiction, short-form fiction, poetry and/or prose in a supportive environment.

This is an asynchronous module where tasks will be set weekly.

Learning and teaching

The module will be delivered asynchronously (i.e., you can study at times to suit you), with materials and writing prompts provided on a weekly basis and will be made up of tutor audio/video recordings, student writing tasks, and use of discussion forums. The course will be hosted on Microsoft Teams to make the most effective use of the text-based elements of the course. There are no compulsory video calls.

You will be expected to complete writing tasks and reflection as part of your learning and assessment. You will be able to access and complete tasks for this asynchronous course at times to suit you. However, you will be expected to engage with activities on a weekly basis.

The course will include:

• writing exercises
• reading and responding to texts
• tutor-led discussion
• the sharing of student work
• an exploration of different genres (such as micro-fiction, the short story, the novel and poetry).

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 1,500 words in length.

Reading suggestions

Students may find the following texts useful:

• The Sound of Music, dir. Robert Wise (1965)
• Hanan Issa, My Body Can House Two Hearts (Burning Eye, 2019)
• Elen Caldecott, The Short Knife (Andersen Press, 2020)
• Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House (1959)
• Bernadine Evaristo, Girl, Woman, Other (Penguin, 2020)
• Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, Good Omens (1990)

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.