Loading...
Sign Up for Email Updates

Course Description

Reading is not only an act of leisure but a vital part of a writer’s job, and most writers will admit, in part, that they’ve learned how to write through reading.

In Creative Writing through Reading, you are encouraged to think about reading as a creative act in which you can collaborate with an author to create an imagined world and consider the reading of creative work as an act that builds empathy.

Read examples of literary work through the lens of the writing practice and learn to consider questions of authorial choice—including implications of choices related to point of view, structure and voice. You are encouraged to consider creative writing as an art of authorial choice and selection, and to expand your own range of choice.

Concentrate on three genres: fiction (short story, novel excerpts), creative non-fiction (memoir, lyric essay) and poetry. Techniques for getting started as a writer, generating material, finding a voice, and transforming life experience into writing are also covered.

It is important to note that this course is structured as a workshop. Feedback is exchanged between your instructor and fellow writers in a “roundtable” setting. Offering your classmates responses to their work is part of the process.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Define what it means to read closely (reading and responding to close readings in fiction, non-fiction and poetry)
  • Identify various approaches to style including dialogue, description, character development, sound and rhythm
  • Apply stylistic techniques to your writing
  • Demonstrate the use of creative writing styles and techniques in your writing
  • Give and receive effective writing feedback through the practice of "workshopping"

Course Topics

  • What does it mean to read closely?
  • Writing Basics: Words, Sentences, and Paragraphs
  • Fiction: Character, Dialogue and Science, and Structure and Plot
  • Poetry: Sound, Voice and the Line in Free Verse
  • Creative Non-Fiction: Different forms and the Memoir
  • Revisions and the Writing Practice

Job Market Overview

 

Additional Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this course. You may take this as an individual course or choose to complete the Creative Writing Certificate. This is one of two required courses for the certificate.

Assessment

Assessment Items Weight
Participation: Discussion, and Workshops 30%
Weekly Writing Exercises 15%
Journal Responses 15%
Final Portfolio 40%
Total 100%

Please note that the course assessment is subject to change.

Sponsoring Partner

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

Technical Requirements

You are responsible for ensuring that your computer system meets the necessary system requirements. Use the browser check tool to ensure your browser settings are compatible and up to date (results will be displayed in a new browser window).

*Course details are subject to change.

Loading...
Enrol Now - Select a section to enrol in
Section Title
Creative Writing through Reading
Type
Remote Instruction
Days
Tuesday
Time
6:30PM to 9:00PM
Dates
January 14, 2025 to March 11, 2025
Contact Hours
22.5
Location
  • Virtual
Delivery Options
Remote Instruction  
Course Fee(s)
Tuition Fee $549.00
Potential Discount(s)
Section Notes

This course will be delivered online synchronous Tuesday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:00pm, beginning on January 14th, 2025.

If you are new to online learning, we encourage you to visit our Online Learning at UofG resource page.

Please view the Withdrawal and Refund Policy - Continuing Education Courses

If you require assistance, please contact our main office.

Required fields are indicated by .