Writer as Scholar

Wedi cwblhau'r modiwl dylai'r myfyrwyr fedru:

1. Reflect and comment upon, in critical prose, their own creative practice.
2. Locate, and critically discuss, their own creative work within a relevant literary context.
3. Locate, and critically discuss, their own creative work within a relevant theoretical context.

Writer as Scholar explores the significant role research and critical writing play in studying creative writing at MA level. Students on this module will produce a critical piece of writing relating to the genesis and planned execution of their final writing project. The essay will contextualise their work within an appropriate scholarly and creative tradition, and aim to illuminate the original aspects of their writing in process.

1 & 2: Research and Creative Writing: Modes and Methods

The opening seminar will focus on the important role research plays in creative writing – both inside and outside the academy. A range of approaches to research will be discussed. The second seminar will be a practical -- students will complete an in-class writing exercise based on their own research.

3 & 4: Literary Context 1: Knowing Your Field

The third seminar will explore why it is important for a writer to have an extensive knowledge of the genre in which they are working – its origins and evolution, as well as its defining techniques and themes. The fourth seminar will be a practical -- students will complete an in-class writing exercise focusing on genre.

5 & 6: Literary Context 2: Close Reading

As well demonstrating knowledge of one’s literary field in general, a student’s critical work should also show an ability to zoom in on specific texts. This seminar will the address the importance of close reading and detailed, comparative analyses. The fourth seminar will be a practical -- students will complete an in-class close reading exercise.


7 & 8: Theory and Textual Analysis

Seminar seven will look at the role critical theory can play in how we read texts – including our own. But it will also explore questions of methodology and how theoretical issues can shape our texts too. The following seminar will be a theory-focused practical.


9 & 10: Knowledge and Creative Writing
Can creative practice be a contribution to knowledge? This is the question students will explore in seminar nine, followed by a final practical seminar in which they will complete a writing exercise based on this inquiry.

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cydymffurfio a FfCChC Lefel 7