Studying at York
Machines, Monsters, Magic & Murder: Writing Genre Fictions - CED00117C
- Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Helen Kenwright
- Credit value: 10 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module summary
The module aims to introduce creative writing students to a range of genre fiction including science fiction, fantasy, crime, thriller, horror and romance. Students will be introduced to the conventions and techniques associated with these genres, and given frequent opportunities to write in different genres. Focus will also be upon the interpretation of genre in contemporary fiction, with students encouraged to experiment with crossing genre boundaries in their work.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Summer Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
- To introduce students to a range of genre fiction: science fiction, fantasy, crime, thriller, horror and romance.
- To facilitate an understanding of the main characteristics of these various genres.
- To encourage appreciation and enthusiasm for the written and the spoken word.
- To encourage students to write creatively and appropriately within these genres, and to experiment with crossing genre boundaries.
- To begin to develop students’ abilities in using language precisely in their imaginative writing.
- To begin to develop students’ abilities to critically evaluate their own writing and that of their fellow students.
- To begin to develop students’ confidence in their writing abilities.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module the student will:
- Have an understanding of the term ‘genre’ and what it means.
- Begin to understand a range of techniques and conventions found in various genres of writing.
- Have improved their writing abilities with regard to style and precision.
- Be able to use the appropriate, relevant narrative techniques associated with the genre they are writing in.
- Have developed more confidence in their writing abilities.
And with regards to form:
- Use dialogue.
- Grasp the notion of conflict and crash events.
- Understand how characterisation works.
- Recognise how plots develop.
- Apply traditional story arcs to their writing.
- Control the pace and tension within their writing.
In addition the student will compile a portfolio of imaginative writing from a variety of genres.
Indicative assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Creative work plus commentary |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Creative work plus commentary |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.
The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.
Indicative reading
- Tuttle, Lisa Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction (A&C Black, 2005)
- James, P.D. Talking About Detective Fiction (Faber, 2010)
- King, Stephen On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (Macmillan, 2001)
- Morley, David and Neilsen, Philip The Cambridge Companion to Creative Writing (Cambridge, 2012)