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BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Degree Handbook

February 2011


Contents

Important note Page 3

Contact details 3

Degree Information 4

Degree Aims and Objectives 4

Degree Structure 6

Module Summary: Level Four 7

Module Summary: Level Five 9

Module Summary: Level Six 13

Assessment 15

Teaching Methods 16

Tutor Profiles 17

Access to library resources 20

Key Resources 21


This degree is designed and delivered by the Open College of the Arts. It is accredited by Bucks New University.

Important note

This handbook provides you with academic information relating specifically to the BA (Hons) Creative Writing, such as the aims and objectives of the degree, the structure of the degree, a sample of tutor profiles and module descriptions. It is important to read this in conjunction with other OCA study guides, such as:

OCA Student Handbook: provides comprehensive information about studying with the OCA by distance learning, such as how the tuition works, how to contact your tutor, how to submit your work, who to contact within the OCA management and administration team when you have queries or concerns, how to participate in discussions with tutors and fellow you on the student forums on the OCA website, and so on.

OCA website guide: tells you how to access resources relating to your

course and how to participate in discussion forums with fellow you and tutors. Other guides include:

Study skills Assessment and how to get qualified APL guidance notes The Harvard Referencing System Academic Writing

These guides, as well as a series of Information Sheets, can be downloaded from the OCA website www.oca-uk.com/courses/documents Once fully registered as a degree student with the accrediting university, Bucks New University, you will have access to the university’s online library resources.

Contact details

OCA Michael Young Arts Centre Redbrook Business Park Wilthorpe Road BARNSLEY S75 1JN

Tel: 0800 731 2116

Email: [email protected]


Degree Information

Course Title: BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Course Code: BA2CWR9C

The degree is designed and delivered by the Open College of the Arts, and validated by Bucks New University http://bucks.ac.uk/

Degree Aims and Objectives

The main educational aims of the BA (Hons) Creative Writing are to:

1. Widen access to education in creative writing at undergraduate level through Open and Flexible Learning. (See 19. Special Features below).

2. Ensure you gain an experience of writing in a variety of literary forms and genres as a craft and as a tool for exploring our environment and experience.

3. Provide an intellectually stimulating programme of study based on high quality study material delivered by experienced academics and practitioners.

4. Develop your creative capacities and your ability in interpretation and application.

5. Develop you’ critical understanding of the theoretical and conceptual issues central to the practice of writing and the social, historical and cultural context in which it is practised.

6. Provide an environment in which the student has the possibility of changing your view of the world and your interaction with it both visually and intellectually.

7. Develop effective writing practitioners who display self-awareness, analytical and communicative skills, and a degree of reflection.

The outcomes for this BA (Hons) Creative Writing are:

at Level 4:

A basic understanding of a comprehensive range of literary genres and forms, including poetry, prose fiction and non-fiction.

The ability to study independently, set goals, manage your own workloads, and meet deadlines.

A knowledge of the history and development of English writing forms. The practice of recording and logging information in a professional manner. Accumulation of skills that are transferable to employment including working

independently, decision making, communication of ideas, and writing skills.

at Level 5:

A creative, critically informed and self-reflective approach to your practice, and a knowledge of precise critical, linguistic and stylistic terminology.

Proficiency in writing in a comprehensive range of literary genres and forms, including poetry, prose fiction and non-fiction.


Knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles of writing, and an ability to analyse, evaluate and interpret these within the context of your study.

An ability to develop ideas through notes to completed drafts, and on through revision and editing to final copy.

The development of a personal language as a writer. The ability to source, navigate, select, retrieve, evaluate, manipulate and

manage information from a variety of sources. An ability to evaluate your own work and that of others critically and

objectively.

at Level 6:

Skills transferable to employment, in particular personal initiative and responsibility, decision making in challenging contexts.

An understanding of the vocational context within which the discipline sits and the range of appropriate professional practices such as marketing, self presentation and negotiation skills.

An ability to communicate information and justify creative work convincingly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

The skills to handle ambiguity and uncertainty effectively. An ability to manage the learning process resourcefully and independently

and make appropriate use primary sources and scholarly reviews. Knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of creative writing and

knowledge of emerging aspects of the discipline and those at the forefront of debate.

A breadth of inventiveness, ideas generation and techniques in the creation of your creative work.

An ability to articulate and comment upon through debate, and devise and sustain argument in writing and speech, underpinning writing theory and concepts.

Opportunities to develop transferable skills

The creative writing degree programme prepares you for further study at MA level and/or for employment, and provides the base skills for setting up as an independent practitioner.

The following learning outcomes are those areas where there is a direct relationship with the skills required for the above options:

The ability to study independently, set goals, manage your own workloads, and meet deadlines.

Form the habit to record and log information in a professional manner. The ability to source, navigate, select, retrieve, evaluate, manipulate and

manage information from a variety of sources Have accumulated skills that are transferable to employment including

working independently, decision making, communication of ideas, and writing skills.

Skills transferable to employment, in particular personal initiative and responsibility, decision making in challenging contexts.

An understanding of the vocational context within which the discipline sits and the range of appropriate professional practices such as marketing, self presentation and negotiation skills.


The skills to handle ambiguity and uncertainty effectively.


Degree Structure

Code Module Title Credits Level Four OA482CA Writing 1: Writing Skills 40

OA484CA Writing 1: Art of Poetry 40

OA485CA Writing 1: Narrative and Dialogue 40

Credits 120 Level Five Choose two out of the four modules below: OA586CA Writing 2: Life Writing (60)

OA582CA Writing 2: Writing for Children (60)

OA584CA Writing 2: Storylines (60)

OA585CA Writing 2: Poetry - Form and Freedom (60) Credits 120 Level Six OA681CA Writing 3: Your Own Portfolio 60

OA682CA Writing 3: Advanced 60

Credits 120 Total credits 360


Module Summary

Level Four: Laying the foundations Level Four modules introduce key concepts and the contextual framework for the study of creative writing. They focus on equipping you with the strategies, skills and confidence to move onto the progressively independent work expected at Level Five. Level Four modules offer opportunities to explore writing in a range of literary genres and forms, including fiction, prose fiction and poetry. It is an essential element of the course that you keep a continuous self-reflective record of your work to arm yourself with the disciplines you will need at levels five and six. You will be encouraged to experiment, explore and take risks. You will develop the ability to study independently, set your own goals, manage your workload and meet deadlines. Assessment at Level 4: Coursework (80%) and Learning Logs (20%). On successful completion of three modules at this level, you will be awarded 120 credits. If you choose to exit at this point, you will be awarded a Certificate in Higher Education in Creative Writing.

OA482CA Writing 1: Writing Skills 40 credits

Description and Purpose of Module

The module is based upon the Level 1 (HE4) OCA course book, Writing Skills and offers an introduction to the basic skills needed for writing prose and poetry. The module offers a developmental and directed learning pathway, within a context of structured freedom. Each unit is inter-related and modular in development. The teaching materials contain clear instruction and outlines of expectation, covering prose, scriptwriting and poetry. The exercises and assignments are designed to help you to develop your own creative style and voice and to inspire and encourage you to begin writing creatively from direct sensory experience and detailed observation over a wide breadth of genres and forms. You develop your writing practice by creating a body of work comprising short pieces of writing. You will develop an understanding of critical models by reading, drafting, editing and presenting your creative writing and responding to constructive critical suggestions from your tutor. You will reflect on the writing process and critically appraise your own work by writing reflective commentaries throughout the module.

Indicative Syllabus Content Starting to write – basic tips and techniques: keeping a writer’s notebook and

commonplace book; using freewriting to release your thoughts; observation and the five senses; building a poem or descriptive prose from observation.

Writing about people – observing and describing people in prose and poetry: their emotions, character, possessions, motivation and history.

Making your characters speak: monologue, dialogue, point of view, playwriting and creating variation and balance within the text.

Style and language: writing styles (formal, technical, journalistic, etc.), narrative voice and persona, using language with simplicity, economy, clarity and accuracy, using imagery.

Plot and structure: getting inspiration; creating interest with character and conflict; mapping a plotline; beginnings, middles and ends; plot structures (the quest, rebirth, etc.) and themes; redrafting work.


Learning Outcomes On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Explore and define the forms of writing exampled in the course book; creative prose, poetry and scriptwriting

2. Show development of language and linguistic expression within your writing.

3. Understand and be able to draw upon a range of writing skills, e.g. creating dialogue.

4. Show understanding and development of drafting, redrafting, and editing your self-generated texts.

5. Reflect perceptively upon your own learning experience.

OA484CA Writing 1: Art of Poetry 40 credits The module is based upon the Level 1 (HE4) OCA course book, Art of Poetry, and aims to help you write poetry with an increasing understanding of poetic techniques and traditions. It provides you with the elements of a critical vocabulary, and helps towards a flexible and informed use of language. The first part of the course discusses essential elements of poetry, with examples, and considers what’s involved in writing poems: what you need to think about, study and do. The second part of the course aims to direct activity more specifically and lead to the production of a body of poems via project-based work that encourages the development of the relevant skills. While there is much freedom to follow personal inclination in the content of assignments, you are encouraged to focus in each on different aspects of poetic craft. Throughout the course, you will increase your awareness of the formal requirements and on-going practice of poetry whilst developing informed and appropriate critical models, of your own and others’ writing. Additionally you will develop skills in drafting, editing, and presenting creative work and in responding to constructive suggestions/criticism. You will reflect on the process of writing and critically appraise your own work by writing reflective commentaries throughout the module.

Indicative Syllabus Content

Getting started – gathering resources and learning to use the senses Reading and developing your ear – reading and listening to poetry; sound and

rhythm. Poetry form and content – types of traditional and free verse; gathering

material (themes, images, impressions) for poems. Language and construction – poetic language; simile and metaphor; drafting

a poem. Redrafting and editing – title, viewpoint, tense, cutting poems.



1. Demonstrate awareness of the structure, form, limitations and specific strengths/problems of writing poetry

2. Draft and edit self-generated texts, demonstrating discrimination and choice in the deployment of these skills in relation to form and technique

3. Reflect perceptively upon your own learning experience

OA485CA Writing 1: Narrative and Dialogue 40 credits This course is designed for students interested in any form of creative writing that may involve both theoretical and practical understanding of plot, structure, dialogue, and character development. It will focus on script writing but will also explore those elements of narrative and dialogue that are relevant to the novel and the short story.

Indicative module content

Planning: research; proposal, outlines and scene breakdowns (treatments) Plotting and Structure: Back-story, beginnings, ‘set-ups’, middles, progressive

developments, and ends. Main plots and subplots and their uses. Character: protagonists and antagonists; character development, and the

importance of plot obstacles in the creation of character and the exploration of themes and ideas.

Dialogue: text and sub-text, naturalistic and stylised speech. Formatting, drafting and editing. Genre: techniques appropriate to specific genres, i.e. stage, screen, radio. Learning Outcomes On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Understand the elementary structures and techniques of narrative 2. Develop the primary skills of narrative - story, character and dialogue – by

analysis and practice. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the differing demands of differing specific

media for script (stage, screen, radio). 4. Develop critical judgment of their own work in response to constructive feedback Level Five: Intermediate stage In Level Five you are encouraged to progress to becoming an independent, self-motivated writer by developing the skills gained at Level Four. At this level you can choose the direction and content of your project work by working closely with your tutor. You develop your individual research methodologies to find the material for assignments. You will be encouraged to cultivate working routines from which a personal and independent style will evolve. You will need to maintain a continuous, self-reflective commentary for the recording of project and assignment work, augmented by a critical discourse on progress.

Assessment at Level Five: Coursework 80%, Learning logs (10%), Critical Review of approx 2000 words (10%).

On successful completion of three modules at this level, you will be awarded 120 credits. If you choose to exit at this point, you will be awarded a Diploma in Higher Education in Creative Writing.


OA582CA Writing 2: Writing for Children 60 credits The module is based on the Level 2 (HE5) OCA course book, Writing for Children, which offers a developmental and directed learning pathway, within a context of considerable individual choice and freedom. Each unit is inter-related. The teaching materials offer background theoretical and historical information, and also contain extracts from contemporary books for children, accompanied by analysis and process-description of the work. The teaching materials contain clear instruction and outlines of expectation. The exercises and assignments are designed to help you develop your own creative style and voice. You reflect on the writing process and critically appraise your own work by writing reflective commentaries throughout the module. You are expected to keep a log of your research findings. The module doesn’t cover children’s picture books, writing for comics or generic series, or children’s poetry. You will have considerable flexibility as to the style and content of your assignments. There is no pre-set order for the units, which are intended as a flexible resource enabling both your tutor and you to explore aspects of the creative process in the order which seems most appropriate to the individual. The learning experience is two-fold: the course book offering a solid framework and the tutor/student one-to-one relationship offering structure and direction. The OCA website contains interviews with writers, publishers and other key practitioners and professionals within the field, in which they reflect on their own practice and experience.


A short history of children’s fiction and survey of the three main genres of contemporary children’s fiction: fantasy; action/adventure; and true-life drama.

Identifying and targeting an audience: writing for a particular age group and developing the ability to perceive the world through the child’s eye.

Structuring and plotting a story: using pace, suspense and focus to hold the reader’s interest.

Authorial voice and writing dialogue: developing a distinctive writer’s voice, choosing the best narrative voice (first person, third person, etc.) and using dialogue to create particular effects.

The fantasy genre: creating new worlds. Preparing for publication: revising and redrafting work, finding an agent, ways to

publish and publication deals. Learning Outcomes On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. explore the structure, form, historical context, limitations, and specific strengths/problems of writing for children

2. draft and edit self-generated texts learning discrimination and choice in the deployment of these skills in relation to form and technique

3. Reflect on and shape the direction and design of your learning experience.

4. Critically review a contemporary work/movement or a writer


OA584CA Writing 2: Storylines 60 credits The module is based on the course book, Storylines, which aims to inspire and encourage you to practise independent creative writing within the genre of the short story. The module offers students a developmental and directed learning pathway, within a context of considerable choice and freedom. Each unit is inter-related and modular in development. You will increase your awareness of the formal requirements and on-going practice of this genre by creating a body of work that demonstrates diversity and understanding. The teaching materials offer background theoretical and historical information. The core pedagogical tool is a collection of 10 short stories by living authors, accompanied by essays of self-analysis and process-description of their own work by these writers. The teaching materials contain clear instruction and outlines of expectation. The assignments are designed to help students to develop their own creative style and voice. You will have considerable flexibility as to the style and content of your assignments – both the tutor and you are free to develop your own personal voice. You will reflect on and critically appraise your own work by writing reflective commentaries throughout the module. You are encouraged to develop informed and appropriate critical models to engage with your own writing and the writing of others and to develop second level skills in reading, formulating, researching, drafting, editing and presenting creative work and in responding to constructive suggestions/criticism. Indicative Syllabus Content

The evolution of short fiction from the creation myth and early heroic poem to the present day.

Narrative techniques: comment, report, description and speech and how these are integrated to create a whole work of short fiction.

Drafting and writing short fiction: getting started with your writing. Learning to craft short fiction through reading the work of contemporary authors

and authors’ commentaries on their own writing. Learning Outcomes On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Be able to explore the structure, form, historical context, limitations, and specific strengths/problems of the short story genre.

2. Draft and edit self-generated texts using a range of writing techniques, and in response to the tutor’s critical feedback.

3. Be able to reflect on and shape the direction and design of your own learning experience.

4. Critically review a contemporary work/movement or a writer. OA585CA Writing 2: Poetry – Form and Experience 60 Credits

The module is based on the Level 2 (HE5) OCA course book Poetry Form and Experience and offers a developmental and directed learning pathway, within a context of considerable individual choice and freedom. The teaching materials offer background theoretical and historical information. Both traditional and contemporary poems are analysed with regard to structural strategies in relation to content; themes for writing are suggested as well as forms. The teaching materials contain clear


instruction and outlines of expectation. The exercises and assignments are designed to help students to develop their own creative style and voice. You will reflect on the writing process and critically appraise your own work by writing reflective commentaries throughout the module. There are internet links, including audio and video links, to a range of relevant contemporary poems and poems from the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Some of the internet links feature poets reflecting on their own practice and experience. You are expected to keep a log of their research findings. You will have some flexibility as to the style and content of your assignments. There is no pre-set order for the units, which are intended as a flexible resource enabling tutor and student to explore aspects of the creative process in the order which seems most appropriate to the individual. The learning experience is two-fold: the teaching materials offer a solid framework and the tutor/student one-to-one relationship offers structure and direction. Indicative Content

A short history of British poetry from Celtic/Viking times to the present day. A survey of modern and contemporary poetry and the development of free verse. Poetic structure: the diversity of classical poetic forms (the sonnet; terza rima,

villanelles and terzanelles; ballads, ballades and odes; blank verse, syllabics and long poems) and ways in which poets have modified these forms to create particular poetic effects.


1. explore the structure, form, historical context, limitations, and specific strengths/problems of a range of poetic forms

2. draft and edit self-generated texts learning discrimination and choice in the deployment of these skills in relation to form and technique

3. Reflect on and shape the direction and design of your own learning experience

4. complete a critical review of a contemporary work/movement or a poet OA586CA Writing 2: Life Writing 60 credits The module is based on the Level 2 (HE5) OCA course book, Life Writing, which aims to inspire and encourage you to practise independent creative writing within the genre of life writing (creative non-fiction). The module offers a developmental and directed learning pathway, within a context of considerable choice and freedom. Each unit is inter-related and modular in development. You will increase your awareness of the formal requirements and on-going practice of this genre by creating a body of creative non-fiction work (approximately 20,000 words in total) that demonstrates diversity and understanding. The teaching materials offer background theoretical and historical information, and also contain extracts from examples of the genre, accompanied by analysis and process-description of the work. There is a required unit on research. The teaching materials contain clear instruction and outlines of expectation. The exercises and assignments are designed to help you to develop your own creative style and voice. You will reflect on the writing process and critically appraise your


own work by writing reflective commentaries throughout the module. You are also expected to keep a log of your research findings. You are encouraged to develop informed and appropriate critical models to engage with your own writing and the writing of others and to develop second level skills in reading, formulating, researching, drafting, editing and presenting creative work and in responding to constructive suggestions/criticism. You will have considerable flexibility as to the style and content of your assignments – the tutor and student are free to develop the voice of the student. Indicative Syllabus Content

The history and different types of creative non-fiction (autobiography, biography, narrative non-fiction).

Writing strategies – reconciling truth and imagination, finding your voice, deciding what to write and how to structure it, dealing with sensitive issues.

Imaginative journalism and the internet – personal and professional blogging; writing personal essays and imaginative and feature articles.

Research skills, including interview techniques, research tools (reference and other books, official records, museums, the internet) and collating research findings.

The process of writing – planning, character development, using emotion, drama and humour, and creating balance in your work.

Preparing your work for publication and ways of publishing. Learning Outcomes On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Explore and define some structures, forms contexts, etc., examining the status, development and limitations of creative non-fiction

2. Draft and edit self-generated texts using a range of writing techniques, and in response to the tutor’s critical feedback

3. Reflect on and shape the direction and design of their own learning experience.

4. Critically review a contemporary work/movement or writer Level Six: Becoming an independent practicing writer Your horizons will expand in Level six to embrace the practical, theoretical and conceptual issues which are central to the practice of writing. You will gain an understanding of the ethical and professional considerations with which you need to be equipped in order to pursue this professionally. Society is in constant change nationally and internationally and it is important to become and remain aware of the social, political and economic issues which creative writing. For your personal project and extended essay, a body of work on an issue of significant topical importance of your own choice will complete your studies at this level. You should carefully consider the selection for your project in consultation with your tutor. Assessment at Level 6: Coursework 80%, Learning logs (10%), Critical Review or Essay of approx 3500 words (10%). On successful completion of two modules at this level, you will be awarded the BA (Hons) Creative Writing.


OA681CA Writing 3: Your Own Portfolio 60 credits The module is based on the Level 3 (HE6) OCA course book, Writing 3: Your Own Portfolio. The module builds on the experience you have acquired at previous levels and requires you to decide, in discussion with your tutor, a personal programme of practical work in poetry or prose. The module is presented in the form of specially written teaching materials that provide particular writing themes to consider. Each of the themes offers projects and exercises which aim to develop your skills, direct your activity more specifically and lead to the production of an assignment. The exercises and assignments are designed to help you to develop your own creative style and voice. You will reflect on the writing process and critically appraise your own work by writing reflective commentaries throughout the module. You are also expected to keep a log of your research findings. You will produce a series of short stories (around 15,000 words in total) or poems (up to 30 lines each) developing a particular theme or idea. You will also write a 3,500 word essay or critical review on a theme of your choice relating to a contemporary literary movement, writer or work.


Entering the imagination – observing, playing with ideas, empathising with your character(s).

Getting inside the subject – describing physical sensation, working with images, identifying themes and ideas.

Finding the patterns – rhythm, framework and sound patterns. Rewriting and editing work. Building a collection of poems and stories


1. demonstrate through creative prose or poetry with supporting written research the ability to communicate a wide range of experiences and to express them in a creative, artistic, sustained and stylistically aware piece or collection of writings

2. analyse and investigate the theories and concepts underlying the chosen work making innovative use of means of expression and structure

3 Design, implement, monitor and analyse your own learning experience

4 Demonstrate the ability to research and write critically through an extended research project on a topic of your choice.

OA682CA Writing 3: Advanced 60 credits The module offers opportunities to build on the skills and knowledge gained from the previous writing modules and increase awareness of the formal requirements and on-going practice of the chosen genre. It allows you to negotiate, plan and complete your own programme of work, and to design and implement your own learning strategies. You will continue to develop informed and appropriate critical models of your own and others’ writing. As well as generating your own writing, you will undertake an extended research project on a subject of their choice culminating in a 3,500 word essay or critical review.


The module is based on a mentoring/supervision model. You will select a tutor from OCA ‘Portfolio of Advanced Courses’. Here tutors introduce themselves and offer in general terms the sorts of writing and learning approaches they are prepared to work with. You must submit samples of your work to the chosen tutor who may choose to accept or not. The specific content of the course is then negotiated between you and the tutor. For example, you might choose to direct your work towards the development of a long poem and back this up with a research project researching and analysing T S Eliot’s The Waste Land. Or a series of short stories around a common theme, complemented by an analysis of contemporary short story practice. You will reflect on the writing process and critically appraise their own work by writing assignment commentaries throughout the module and a reflective commentary at the end of the module summing up your experiences and achievements as a whole. Learning Outcomes On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: 1 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the structure, form, historical

context, limitations, and specific strengths/problems of your chosen subject. 2 Draft and edit self-generated texts using a range of writing techniques, and in

response to the tutor’s critical feedback, showing discrimination and choice in the deployment of these skills in relation to form and technique

3 Design, implement, monitor and analyse your own learning experience. 4 Demonstrate the ability to research and write critically on a chosen subject

through an extended project. Assessment

There are no examinations. Assessment is through the marking of personal development planning and continual reflection in learning logs or blogs, practical projects, critical reviews and essays. Assessment tasks are linked to the objectives of each module. As you progress through the module, the assessment increasingly encourages autonomous learning and self-evaluation. Tutors provide feedback during the module, with constructive criticism, and assessment takes place once you have completed a module in full. You are assumed to be planning to enter for assessment unless it is identified at the beginning of the module that you do not have this aspiration. The personal tutor works with you to advise you on the assessment process. You use OCA guidelines to prepare a portfolio complete with texts and reflective commentaries (or blog) to send to OCA for assessment.

Assessment criteria

Students on the creative writing degree are assessed against the criteria set out below:

Presentation and technical correctness Grammatical accuracy, punctuation, layout, spelling, awareness of literary conventions, and the ability (where appropriate) to play with these conventions and fit them to the student’s needs.

20%


Language Appropriateness to genre, subject matter, and characters. Avoidance of cliché, employment of a wide vocabulary, awareness of the rhythmic powers of language, and an ability to make appropriate use of imagery. Above level 1, the development of an individual voice.

20%

Creativity Imagination, experimentation, inventive exploration of subject matter, originality, and empathy.

20%

Contextual knowledge Evidence of reading, research, critical thinking and reflection. Engagement with contemporary thinking and practice in the specific genre (e.g. Poetry).

20%

Craft of writing Technical competence in the student’s chosen genre (e.g. in prose, in areas such as narrative, plotting, setting, voice, tense, characterisation, etc; in poetry, in areas such as phrasing, idiom and rhythm.)

20%

Teaching methods

Through the OCA model of distance learning modules, providing projects and research activities, students learn to study independently, while are backed up by tutor support and learn to work with others by interacting with them providing and receiving support and exchanging ideas on the OCA forum.

Distance tuition: You will work from the module materials and send regular assignments to your tutor by email attachment. Tutors then review each assignment and provide written feedback. Once the tutor receives your first assignment, a judgment is made (in discussion with you, of course) as to whether there is a realistic likelihood of your reaching undergraduate level by the end of the module. Tutors then review each assignment and provide written feedback. There are typically five assignments for each module, supplemented by projects. Tutor reports are copied to the OCA head office and subject to periodic review to ensure standards are being maintained. You are also able to contact tutors informally between assignments (subject to reasonable limits). Written module materials: These have been specifically produced for distance learning delivery and are designed for individual self-study. They consist of subject-specific learning content and a series of learning projects, each culminating in an assignment the results of which are discussed with the tutor. The module materials contain a balance of practical exercises and large scale projects and research points. Study Skills Guides: There are guides on keeping sketchbooks, writing learning logs, study skills, and keeping blogs, among others. All of these are sent to you at the beginning of the programme and are also available as downloads form the OCA website. Reading lists: The BA Creative Writing programme has a comprehensive study list composed of key texts, journals and websites for each module. The current list is at the end of this handbook. In addition to this, items are added to the study list as new


recommendations are received and items published. This means that the lists are subject to change, so each time you enrol for a new module, you should download the latest list for that module from the website. At higher levels, when you undertake your own projects, reading lists are negotiated with tutors. Online resources: Each module has a number of web-based resources designed to broaden your appreciation of the range of practice and contemporary debate on the discipline. OCA students have access to the V & A image collection and use of the Creative Commons on Flickr as well as access to the Bridgeman Education image library, from which you may download images for comment, or to include in learning logs. You are encouraged to keep learning blogs if you have access to the internet, so that you can share your reflections and learning online with other students, and discuss these with others on the OCA forum. Formative and diagnostic feedback: Ongoing guidance and formative feedback on assignments is given by your tutor and offers clear guidance with regard to future development. A report on each piece of feedback given to you is logged with OCA, in order that OCA can monitor tutor quality and performance. Optional Practical workshops on various subjects: taught by OCA tutors at venues around the country. Learning methods: As these are all distance learning modules, you will learn by independent study, working from home. Students engage with the practical projects within the written learning material and assignments. Reflective Commentary: As part of the coursework on OCA programmes, you are required to keep a reflective commentary which is your subjective response to the course. You use it to review what you have done, what you’ve learnt and reflect on what went well, what didn’t go well and what could be/could have been approached differently. You also record your response to tutor feedback and your plans for the future. Learning Log: The learning log is much broader and is more like a ‘physical’ record of the course – so it’s less about the your thoughts than a record of things such as research done, books read, visits, collections of images etc., reflections on articles in newspapers and journals, TV programmes, etc. It will have a reflective element (e.g. a book review) but it’s less personal and not about your personal journey. Web forums: The student forums represent the main method of communication between you and your peers. Concepts are discussed and knowledge developed through debates that are informally moderated by OCA tutors. Critiques of work, both in development and completed, are sought from peers through the forum. The student portfolios support the forums by providing an area for work to be uploaded to, and linked to from the forums and their blogs. Blogs: Blogs are maintained by you as public versions of the learning log. Their public status allows opinions to be expressed by fellow students, or the general public if desired, on the work being produced. Being accessible to other students, they offer a wide range of interpretations of module projects to be seen, read and commented upon by others, allowing learning to take place through social activity centered around a programme of study. If maintained as a learning log, the address of the blog is submitted at assessment time, instead of a physical learning log.


Creative Writing Tutor Profiles

The OCA has a team of highly experienced creative writing tutors, led by Course Leader Jane Rogers. Below is a sample of tutor profiles.

Prof Jane Rogers http://www.janerogers.org/index.html

Jane Rogers was born in London in 1952 and lived in Birmingham, New York State (Grand Island) and Oxford, before doing an English degree at Cambridge University. She taught English for 6 years before the publication of her first novel, Separate Tracks. Since then she has written seven novels, original television and radio drama, and adapted work (her own and other writers') for radio and TV. In 1994 she was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Her work as an editor includes anthologies of new writing, and a reference guide to fiction. She has taught writing to a wide range of you, and is currently Professor of Writing on the MA course at Sheffield Hallam University.

Nina Milton, BA, MA (Bath Spa University)

http://www.oca-uk.com/profile/ninahare

Nina Milton has an MA in Creative Writing from the Bath Spa University and has been an OCA tutor for a number of years.

She is a writer of children’s books, including, 'Sweet 'n' Sour', published by HarperCollins, 'Intergalactic Holiday', published by Gazelle and books for 11+ children with reading difficulties. She also writes short stories, both for news-stand magazines such as Bella and for the small presses, such as Acumen. She has won several competitions, including the Wells Literary Festival Short Story Prize. She also facilitates writing workshops in the centre of Bristol.

Pat Borthwick, MA (Royal Holloway, University of London)

Pat Borthwick spent much of her upbringing on the canals and waterways of Britain. She now lives on a farm in the Howardian Hills close to the North York Moors. She works as a freelance writer, a Creative Writing tutor and a Poet in Schools.

Pat has two full length collections (Between Clouds and Caves, Littlewood Arc and Swim, Mudfog) and several pamphlets, with a new one, Wave, due out with Hearing Eye in the winter of 2006. Her poems have won prizes in numerous competitions and have been widely published in magazines and anthologies. She has two poems in the recent The Poetry Cure from Bloodaxe. Her poetry often addresses rural issues and how landscape and Man continue to shape each other. Her other main interests include astronomy and grey areas.

Cedric Pickin, MA (University of Lancaster)

Cedric Pickin left school with the beginnings of a lifelong love of literature. He continued to write poetry while following a career in purchasing. Later in life,


after redundancy, he gained a first class BA (Hons) in Business Enterprise. He then completed the OCA poetry courses at all three levels over 3 years, and then went on to obtain an MA in Creative Writing at Lancaster University in 2005. During this time, he has had poems published mainly in the small magazine press. Liz Cashdan, MA, (University of Sheffield), PhD (Sheffield Hallam University) www.lizcashdan.co.uk Liz Cashdan was a secondary school English teacher for many years and now teaches Creative Writing at Sheffield University, for the WEA and in schools. Winner of several prizes and bursaries, her first poetry collection was Laughing All the Way (Five Leaves Publications 1995, now out of print) and her most recent The Same Country (Five Leaves Publications 2006). In June 2007 she was Writer in Residence for the WEA in Yorkshire and Humberside. She has written poems about her travels to China, South Africa and Israel, and also gone back in history to Creswell Crags, the Bradford Wool Exchange and the Bialystok ghetto. Joanna Ezekiel, MA (Sussex University) mydelayedreactions.blogspot.com Joanna Ezekiel is an ex-OCA Creative Writing student herself. In 2005 she completed an MA in Creative Writing and Personal Development at Sussex University. She has had two poetry pamphlets published: A Braid of words (Poetry Monthly Press, 2003) and Safe Passage (White Leaf Press, 2007). In April 2010, Ragged Raven Press published Joanna’s first full poetry collection, Centuries of Skin. Joanna is a creative writing tutor for the Open University, and has run writing workshops in schools and libraries. Access to Library resources You will be able to access Bucks New University’s library resources including e-journals once you are actively enrolled as a Bucks’ student. You will only be actively enrolled as a Bucks student at the point of successful assessment. You will then be given library access after this point for the remainder of the current academic year. You may also wish to access material from a higher education library in your area. Once registered as a Bucks student, you can ask about Bucks about SCONUL which will give you access to over 170 higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland. Contact http://bucks.ac.uk/library_services/external_library_users.aspx


Study List for BA (Hons) Creative Writing

Listed below are the current texts, journals and websites which support the learning on the BA (Hons) Creative Writing degree. Please note that these are subject to change. You should check the latest version of the Study List on the website.

Writing 1: Writing Skills Key Texts

Author Date Title Place of publication Publisher

Bell J & Magrs, P 2001 The Creative Writing

Coursebook London Macmillan

Neil Astley, ed. 2002 Staying Alive Tarset Bloodaxe

Books, Ltd Natalie Goldberg 2005 Writing Down the Bones Boston, MA and

London Shambhala Publications Inc

Key Journals London Review of Books, http://www.lrb.co.uk/ Writing Magazine Mslexia (only women can submit, but anyone can subscribe and read), http://www.mslexia.co.uk/index.php Key Websites www.internationalpen.org.uk http://www.societyofauthors.org www.nawg.co.uk Writing 1: Art of Poetry

Key Texts

Author Date Title Place of publication Publisher

Sansom, Peter 1994 “Writing Poems” Tarset Bloodaxe Books

Padel, Ruth 2004 “52 Ways of Looking at a Poem” London Vintage

Natalie Goldberg 2005 Writing Down the Bones Boston, MA and

London Shambhala Publications Inc

Birch D (Ed) 2005 The Oxford Companion to English Literature Oxford OUP

Key Journals Poetry Review, http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/ Poetry London, http://www.poetrylondon.co.uk/magazine The North, http://www.poetrybusiness.co.uk/index.php/the-north Key Websites The Poetry Archive http:/ /www.poetryarchive.org The Poetry Foundation http://www.poetryfoundation.org Bloodaxe Publishing http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/


Writing 1: Narrative and Dialogue

Key Texts McKee, Robert 1999

Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting

London Methuen

Field, Syd 2007 The Screenwriter's workbook New York Delta

Frensham, R 2008 Teach Yourself Screenwriting (3rd revised edition) London Hodder &

Stoughton

Mackendrick Alexander

2006 On Film-making London Faber & Faber

Newman J, Cusick E & La Tourette A

2003

The Writer's Workbook (chapters by Dave Jackson, Aileen la Tourette, Dymphna Callery) (2nd revised edition)

London Hodder Arnold

Davis R 2008 Writing Dialogue for Scripts (3rd revised edition) London A&C Black

Key Journals www.dramamagazine.co.uk/ http://writersservices.com/res/rev/rm_scriptwriter.htm Key Websites www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom http://celtx.com/ (the standard formatting software for screen writing)

Writing 2: Storylines

Key Texts Ailsa Cox 2005 Writing Short Stories London Routledge Frank O’Connor 2004 The Lonely Voice: A Study of

the Short Story New York Melville House

L Rust Hills 2000 Writing in General and the Short Story in Particular (2nd revised edition)

Boston Houghton Mifflin

Key Journals Mslexia www.mslexia.co.uk Poets and Writers www.pw.org Ambit www.ambitmagazine.co.uk Journal of the Short Story in English http://jsse.revues.org/index.html Key Websites www.fourthirtythree.com, www.theshortstory.org.uk http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119408184764495


Writing 2: Life Writing

Key Texts Haslam S & Neale D 2008 Life Writing London Routledge

Cline S & Angier C

2010 The Arvon Book of Life Writing: Writing Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir

London Arvon

Lee H 2009 Biography: a very short introduction Oxford OUP

Key Journals Journals will be selected in accordance with the students’ choice of specialisms Key Websites www.oca-UK.com www.weareoca.com www.oca-elements.com

Writing 2: Writing for Children

Key Texts N/A 2010 The Children’s Writers’ & Artists’

Yearbook London A&C Black

Hahn D, Flynn J & Reuben S

2009 The Ultimate Book Guide (2nd revised edition) London A&C Black

Hahn D & Flynn, J

2010 The Ultimate Teen Book Guide (2nd revised edition) London A&C Black

Eccleshare J 2002 Beatrix Potter to Harry Potter: Portraits of Children’s Writers, London National Portrait

Gallery

Key Journals Books for Keeps, 1 Effingham Rd London SE12 8NZ www.booksforkeeps.co.uk Carousel, The Saturn Centre 54-76 Bissell St Birmingham B5 7HX www.carouselguide.co.uk The Children's Bookseller, 5th Floor Endeavour House, 189 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8TJ, www.thebookseller.com Key Websites OCA Interviews with children’s authors : www.oca-elements.com www.superkids.com www.ebookcrossroads.com AND www.lulu.com - self-publishing websites


Writing 2: Poetry – Form and Experience

Key Texts Shapcott J & Sweeney M (eds.)

2004 Emergency Kit: Poems for Strange Times London Faber

O'Driscoll, Dennis 2009 Stepping Stones: Interviews with

Seamus Heaney London Faber

Herbert WN & Hollis M (eds.)

2000 Strong Words: Modern Poets on Modern Poetry Tarset Bloodaxe

Padel R 2004 52 Ways of Looking at a Poem London Vintage

Key Journals Poetry Review, http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/ Poetry London, http://www.poetrylondon.co.uk/magazine The North, http://www.poetrybusiness.co.uk/index.php/the-north Key Websites The Poetry Archive http:/ /www.poetryarchive.org The Poetry Foundation http://www.poetryfoundation.org Bloodaxe Publishing http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/

Writing 3: Your Own Portfolio

Texts, journals and websites will be selected in accordance with the students’ choice of specialisms.

Writing 3: Advanced

Texts, journals and websites will be selected in accordance with the students’ choice of specialisms

Documents

BA (Hons) Creative Writing Degree Handbook February … · Creative Writing Degree Handbook February 2011 . C: ... prose fiction and non-fiction. ... offers an introduction to the