usyd creative writing short course

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Unit outlines will be available through Find a unit outline two weeks before the first day of teaching for 1000-level and 5000-level units, or one week before the first day of teaching for all other units.  

Master of Creative Writing

Graduate diploma of creative writing, graduate certificate in creative writing, core units of study, workshop selective units of study.

This unit of study is not available in 2022

Elective units of study

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Writing the Real Course

Creative writing. express yourself with the written word..

This writing course offers you a rich immersion in creative nonfiction, practical tuition and instruction in composition and style, along with plenty of opportunities to write and be inspired. You’ll learn how to approach nonfiction with imagination, discipline and lyricism. The course explores the distinctions between fiction and nonfiction and the meanings of real and truthful. It encourages writers to understand nonfiction as literature and shows them how to employ imagination, discipline, creativity and lyricism in its composition, just as one would in fiction. Although a work of nonfiction can be every bit as literary in its distinction and design as a novel, nonfiction cleaves to the actual – something that places a heavy burden of truth-telling upon the writer and reorients imagination from invention to witness.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• discover the material in your life and world that calls you to write about it
• practise writing non-fiction prose in different genres – essay, memoir, feature journalism, blog, history, travel
• make of the life you lead, the thoughts you think, the places and things you know, works told as freshly and vividly as the best fiction
• grow good ideas and arrange life experiences into finished works of literary art
• apply time-honoured techniques and insights to take you writing from good to great and make it into a work that may touch and change others’ lives.
• Foundations
• Writing practice
• The literature of witness and attention
• The language of solid ground
• Nonfiction as literature
• Principles of writing well
• The elements of style
• Words and music
• The importance of place
• Form and structure
• Writing with your reader in mind
• Getting started
• Carrying on
• The ethics of nonfiction
• Editing and finishing
• Fourteen troublesome words and phrases

Intended audience

Suitable for anyone wanting to write well about the world we inhabit, the things we know - from family history to politics, from sport to philosophy, from self-help to biography and travel.

Deliver modes

• Face-to-face, presenter-taught workshop
• Online workshop via the platform Zoom

Delivery style

This workshop marries informally delivered pedagogy with inspirational ideas and practical tips from an experienced professional writer. It models great writing through a selection of fine readings across all genres; and it invites participants to write each week and receive tutelage and feedback from the facilitator and fellow participants.

Course notes are distributed electronically

Recommended reading

Dillon, B 2017, Essayism .

Gerard, P 2001, Writing Creative Nonfiction .

Gutkind, L 2007, The Best Creative Nonfiction .

Lopate, P 1995, The Art of the Personal Essay .

Miller, P 1994, Writing Your Life: A Journey of Discovery .

Tredinnick, M 2008, The Little Green Grammar Book .

Williford, L et al 2007, Touchstone Anthology of Contemporary Creative Nonfiction .

• Expert trainers
• Central locations
• Free, expert advice
• Course materials – yours to keep
• CCE Statement of Completion

What others say.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course, it was really well structured and provided exactly what I was after – the chance to work with a small group to explore writing techniques and approaches whilst being supported to enhance my own.

This course provided me with some much needed motivation to write, with exposure to some fantastic non-fiction, and a new-found conviction that writing for any purpose can be engaging and full of humanity.

‘Writing the Real’ is highly recommended. Inspirational tutoring. Sensitive, constructive criticism of writing exercises. A joy!

This course was more enjoyable and useful than I could have imagined and I cannot praise the tutor too highly.

The tutor of this course is one of the most professional facilitators I’ve met – very helpful, caring and a person in the writing field that I have a great deal of respect for. A real asset to your organisation. I learnt a lot and got some great feedback and advice. This tutor helped create a safe environment where all participants in the class could share. Thanks for bringing people with a vested interest in writing together.

The presenter of this course is a generous teacher. He shares his love of writing with his students, and makes you think about each sentence construction.

Inspiring course that reawakened my passion for writing.

I signed up for the course with not much expecations. Right from the first lesson, I’ve been engaged and know I’ve made the right choice to attend.

Through inspiring and lively discussions and guidance the tutor unleashed the creative force within us. I have now found (almost) my own voice in writing and feel confident in writing about topics that I would not think possible before!

Creative Nonfiction Writing Course - Composition and style Learn how to approach nonfiction with imagination, discipline & lyricism in this creative nonfiction writing course. Face-to-face in Sydney. Enrol now.

Class schedule

There are no current classes. Please JOIN the waiting list.

Featured facilitators

Mark Tredinnick

Mark Tredinnick, winner of the Montreal Poetry Prize (2011) and the Cardiff Poetry Prize (2012), is the author of The Blue Plateau, Fire Diary, and nine other acclaimed works of poetry and prose....

What others say

A very interactive course where everyone felt free to share their writing without judgement. The tutor provided constructive and encouraging feedback, enabling each student to improve their personal writing style.

- Sharen Chant

The facilitator brings great depth and passion. His rich, personal experience and flowing anecdotes, compliment the diverse and interesting material. The homework exercises and group critiquing are highly useful.

- Steven Sullivan

I found the course extremely enjoyable, interesting and helpful, and came away with some valuable tools. The presenter was both engaging, and an encyclopedia of knowledge.

- Maree Whipps

Related courses

• Creative Writing Course: Masterclass
• Media Release Writing Course: Write and Promote a Press Release
• Memoir Writing Course
• The Poetry Workshop

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Advanced Creative and Life Writing

Module information>.

This course is designed as a progression of the concepts and practices introduced in Level 4 ‘Introduction to Creative and Life Writing’ and Level 5 ‘Creative and Life Writing’, with additional emphasis on gaining a practical understanding of the publishing industry.

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The course examines creative writing in its literary contexts, using texts that serve to best represent the fields of short fiction, poetry and life writing, providing you with the opportunity to survey and understand the contemporary canon.

This course not only ties your writing practice very closely to the act of reading, specifically the nuanced and strategic skills of close reading for writing, but also introduces a more detailed consideration of the creative process, including the productive benefits of crafting a manifesto.

Mode of assessment: Coursework submitted through the VLE.

Prerequisite: The course Creative and Life Writing [EN2020] is a prerequisite for this course.

Learning outcomes

If you complete the course successfully, you should:

• develop your creative writing skills commensurate with Level 6 (third year) benchmarks
• objectively and critically analyse literary aims and practice, involving the crafting of a writer’s manifesto
• engage critically with questions of literary technique, at an advanced level
• situate creative writing within the broader literary context, including best practice when approaching the world of publishing
• demonstrate effective control of language, structure and form appropriate to a sustained creative piece of your own development at Level 6
• show analytic understanding of your individual engagement with the writing process
• present awareness of the role of critical feedback on your own emergent writing.

Essential reading

Among texts and authors which students may choose to study are:

Essential literary texts

• Alexis, A. ‘ Houyhnhnm ’, The New Yorker (13 June 2022).
• Lowe, H. The Kids. (Northumberland: Bloodaxe Books, 2021) [ISBN 9781780375793].
• Zauner, M. Crying in H Mart . (New York: Picador, 2021) [ISBN 9781529033793] or The New Yorker (20 August 2018).

Essential critical texts

Please note: The list below includes the core reading for Levels 6. Students are advised to keep their books from Levels 4 and 5 for reference.

• Dillard, A. The Writing Life . (New York: Harper Collins, 1989) [ISBN 9780060919887].
• Hirsch, E. How to Read a Poem: And Fall in Love With Poetry . (Orlando, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1999) [ISBN 0151004196]
• King, S. On Writing . (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2012) [ISBN 9781444723250].
• Prose, F. Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them . (London: Union Books, 2012) [ISBN 9781908526076].

Related Content

BD Divinity

Creative and life writing, new testament theology: texts in english, religion and science.

Creative Writing and Publishing | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Creative Writing and Publishing Major Minor

If you have a way with words and a passion for language, then consider studying Creative Writing and Publishing. Learn to master the art of storytelling and work towards your dream career as an author, editor, freelancer, or communications strategist.

Your studies will equip you with the skills to succeed in a broad range of publishing contexts. Experiment with different genres of writing, including novels, short stories, poetry and screenwriting, with all creative outcomes being workshopped by supportive peers and enthusiastic staff.

There will be multiple opportunities for publication during your studies. You will be mentored by a team of published authors, editors and researchers who bring real-world industry experience to the classroom.

Previous USC graduates have achieved publishing success and are now recognised as award-winning Australian authors.

View the full range of Creative Industries majors and minors .

The Creative Writing and Publishing Major can be selected in the   Bachelor of Creative Industries , Bachelor of Communication , Bachelor of Design , Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Creative Industries , Bachelor of Arts , and select double degrees that include the Bachelor of Arts.

The Creative Writing and Publishing Minor can be selected in the Bachelor of Creative Industries , Bachelor of Communication , Bachelor of Design , Bachelor of Arts , and any double degree that includes the Bachelor of Arts.

For a major in Creative Writing and Publishing, students must successfully complete 8 courses:

For a minor in Creative Writing and Publishing, students must successfully complete 4 courses:

Creative Writing News

SBMEN Announces the Elementary Proofreading Course

• What's New

SBMEN Announces Its Virtual 2- Day   Proofreading   Course in May 2024

The training will help participants gain skills on how to determine the scope and expectations for a proofreading project and learn how to read and scrutinise content to find errors and mark them for correction. This course will introduce to them a structured proofreading process to help them succeed.

According to the Executive Director, Anwuli Ojogwu. “A good proofreader needs to have an eye for details, and with more demand for people with these skills in media and technology, it is important to equip them with the skills to have a successful career.”

The workshop will benefit early and emerging editors , writers, content developers and people in the communications industry. It will be facilitated by accomplished professional editors/proofreaders and delivered through lectures, reading assignments, interactive sessions and class exercises to ensure a practical experience.

How to Register

Registration: N80,000 (Eighty Thousand Naira Only)

Early bird discount of N30,000 applies until May 17.

For more information on how to enrol in the training,

email: [email protected]

or send a WhatsApp message to 09085999928.

You can also visit the SBMEN X (FKA Twitter) Page.

About SBMEN

The Society for Book and Magazine Editors of Nigeria (SBMEN ) is an educational and professional association that represents and supports editorial professionals to develop editorial skills that meet global best practices through training and resources. It is also extended to other professionals who work within publications, broadcasting, digital media, legal services, communications, public relations and academia. The organisation also provides guidance on editorial standards.

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• Study with UniSQ
• Arts and Humanities degrees
• Creative Writing

Creative Writing degrees

If you dream of building a career as a professional writer, or have an active imagination and a way with words, you will develop and refine your writing skills with UniSQ’s Creative and Critical Writing major. 

You will learn the foundations of writing effective and engaging prose, and once you have the basics, you’ll experiment with a number of different forms, genres, and styles. You’ll learn how to transform your story ideas into compelling works of fiction and non-fiction, and you’ll discover how to prepare your work for editing and publication.

UniSQ Creative and Critical Writing students have the opportunity to produce online and print publications, and to work closely with other writers, editors, and publishers. By the end of your studies, you’ll have the skills and knowledge required to work in a constantly changing industry.

Creative and Critical Writing students often combine their studies with English Literature, History, Anthropology, Journalism, and Contemporary Media Studies.

Explore UniSQ's Creative Writing degrees

• Springfield

Graduating with Creative Writing degree from UniSQ can lead to a range of career options, including:

• professional writer
• publisher 

The skills you will learn will vary depending on your choose degree, the education provider you choose and if you study an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. When studying Creative Writing at UniSQ you will learn:

• character development
• plot structuring
• preparing manuscripts for publication
• writing engaging narratives. 

Sign up for the latest information

Course Fees

Under 19 years.

Students who are under 19 at the start of their course do not normally pay course fees, except for a few courses. Please visit our Course fee information page for more information.

19 years and older

The fees displayed below are the MAXIMUM payable by adults who are 19 or over at the start of their course.

Standard course fee (2023/24): £290.00

Some students may be exempt from paying course fees because of their personal circumstances such as their financial situation or their previous level of education.

Please visit our Course fee information page or contact Student Records on [email protected] or 01243 812223 for more information about whether you would be required to pay course fees.

Fees currently displayed are for September 2023 – August 2024.

Creative Writing

Course overview.

It is a truth, not universally acknowledged, that most of us are natural born storytellers, even though we may not realise it. Consider children with their almost endless creation of people, places and tales. Why can’;t we as adults do the same? The reality is that we can. We don’;t lose those skills as we grow, we just use them in different ways. For example, when passing on information about a mundane matter such as a shopping trip we will often tell it as a story, adding detail which is not strictly necessary because deep down inside we know that it is the right thing to do.

This 20 week part-time course will give you the opportunity to learn the basics of creative writing, through the teaching of a few rules, the application of some techniques and plenty of practice. Each week we will discuss a different topic using examples from some of the finest authors, as well as giving you time to ask questions and complete some simple exercises to cement your newfound knowledge. After each session, you will be encouraged to practice your skills by writing a short piece which you may choose to share with your fellow students in a safe and supportive environment. If this seems a little daunting at the moment, don’;t worry, it is not compulsory.

If you have had no experience of creative writing since leaving school or your spelling and grammar leave something to be desired, don’t worry. All you need is a pen, notebook and a desire to fill the page. If you are already writing, great, this course will help you get even better. If not, this is a good place to start.

19:00-21:00

Please note this course does not run in the college half term or end of term breaks.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Anyone interested in creative writing. It will be useful for absolute beginners as well as more experienced writers.

Further creative writing workshops and -; who knows -; perhaps a first novel!

Your tutor will advise you on further options for study.

Continuous classroom assessment based on Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement (RARPA).

Course fees: £290

For the first session you will need:

• Your imagination!

To book a place select ‘Apply Online’ in the Course Overview section on the website.

We have limited onsite parking, however we are very close to public transport links. Please see Travelling to Chichester College | Chichester College for details.

*FREE* Online short courses

Make the most of these extraordinary times and gain a nationally-recognised qualification. A short online course is a significant first step to improving your skills and achieving your career goals.

Financial support

The applicable fees for this course, including any available discounts, will be listed in the information above.

How to apply

Once you have created an account, you can easily apply to your chosen course and track the status of your application at any time.

HOW THE APPLICATION PROCESS WORKS

Set up your account.

You’ll be prompted to create an account which will allow you to log in to our Application Tracker website whenever you wish. This will provide you with important information and you can also track the progress of your application.

Complete each step of the application form and then submit your completed form. We’ll let you know when we’ve safely received it with an acknowledgement email.

Application Review Meeting

Before offering you a place at college, we’ll meet with you (either in person, by telephone or online). We’ll send you a link to our booking page where you can select a time that’s convenient for you.

Accept Your Place

Offers will be sent to you via the email address you have provided. The offer will be conditional, based on predicted GCSE grades. You’ll need to accept your offer within 14 days to secure your place.

Once you receive your GCSE results, you’ll need to get in touch with the college to inform us of them and start your enrolment process.

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Our range of leisure and hobby courses keeps growing, with even more fun and exciting courses starting throughout 2024.

Giving Students Options for a Concept Paper in a Business Communications Course

The Communication Spotlight features innovative instructors who teach written, oral, digital/technological, kinetic, and visual communication modes.

Jennifer Hite received her BA majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Political Science from University of California at Santa Barbara, her MA in Communication Management from the Annenberg School of Communication at University of Southern California. She received a PhD in Organizational Behavior at UCI/The Paul Merage School of Business. Professor Hite has been an Instructor at the Annenberg School of Communication at USC, School of Business Administration at USC and UCI/The Paul Merage School of Business. She is a member of the Academy of Management, International Communication Association and the Society for Human Resources Management.

What is the assignment? 

Concept Paper: Project or Idea Pitch

Project overview: You can choose from one of two tracks for the assignment:

• Introduce a new product or
• Introduce an existing product to another country.

Track 1: Introduce a New Product

Students selecting this track will produce a concept paper and pitch that follow the requirements of the Stella Zhang New Venture Competition . By the end of the quarter, you’ll have a solid concept paper and pitch ready if you choose to compete.

Product selection, Track 1: The product must be a completely new product or a better version of an existing one that is affordable to most Americans. In addition,

• A new service or a digital product may not be used.
• If you’ve already submitted a concept paper for the New Venture Competition, you may not use the same idea or paper for MGMT 191W. However, we encourage you to use the original work you create for MGMT 191W for the competition.

Track 2: Introduce an Existing Product to Another Country

Students selecting this option will introduce an existing product to a country they are not familiar with. Here are the requirements for both the product and the country you choose.

Product selection, Track 2: The product must be an existing one that is affordable to the people in the country you’ll be introducing it to. In addition,

• It must be a consumer product ; that is, an item of common or daily use, typically bought by individuals for private consumption.
• It must be a product consumers can purchase in brick-and-mortar stores.
• Although the product you choose may already be available in the country, your goal is to find one that is not already easily available in the country .
• It cannot be a product consumers rent or that they must subscribe to, such as a meal service.
• It cannot be for commercial use only.

Country selection, Track 2 : The country you use for the report must be one you have never visited, are not from, do not have any cultural ties to, have any relatives from, or know very much about.

How does it work?

In just three pages, students must develop a complete pitch that’s designed to convince investors (Track 1) or their CEO (Track 2) to adopt their product or idea. They build a credible argument by using library resources and careful paragraph development. The paper requires them to carefully analyze the potential market characteristics as well as any competitors, and to use color to engage the reader. The skills they develop in this project are easily transportable to work assignments once they graduate.

What do students say?

“The Concept Paper was a very informative assignment. It was the combination of a research paper and a corporate pitch/report, which worked to mimic potential assignments I will have once I graduate and get a corporate job. I particularly liked that my research was catered towards a specific audience, which led to it being more refined and avoiding any unnecessary information.” – Student Response

Student Artifact: 

This paper, pitching a new product idea, engages the audience with color and in the first paragraph with an attention-getting opening. They use bullet points and numbered lists to draw the reader’s eye and to quickly summarize information. The analysis of the market potential establishes the reach of the product, backed by recent, credible research. In addition, the analysis of the product’s competitors focuses on the product’s advantages over others. The paper is concise, well-written, and well-researched.

Read the full paper here .

Why does this work?

By asking students to choose between two options for their concept paper – either introducing a new product or an old product to a new market – the assignment is essentially asking students to choose their purpose and their audience. This choice can prompt students to think about the relationship between purpose and audience and craft their writing accordingly.

Check out these resources for developing business writing assignments in your communication classes:

• Implementing Student Choice within an Assignment from University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Business Writing Handout from UNC to help students understand typical expectations for business writing
• This particular assignment asked students to use figures in their writing. Your students might find this resource from the CEWC helpful for using tables and figures.

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