Short course
Advanced Writing Lives
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Location:
Online
Dates:
18/01/2027 - 02/04/2027
Study format:
Online - flexible
Fees:
£695.00
Every day we meet people with interesting life stories. Everyone is exotic to someone else. Our lives are made up of tragic, uplifting and humorous experiences which shape us as individuals. We love, fight, apologise, account for and endure through whatever comes our way. These challenges are endlessly affecting, both for the people who experience them and the reader who knows them second hand. We shall explore how writers transform their own and others’ lives into exciting and innovative texts, so that we can create our own.
This course develops the skills and learning acquired on the current Writing Lives online course. This course differs in that it introduces topics, concepts and approaches which are commensurate with second year university/Level 5 study, further encouraging a high degree of individuality and innovation. It is recommended that students have considerable writing experience, a strong desire to embark on a sustained personal project, and advanced English-language skills. Students should also be prepared to write reflective critical commentary as part of the course requirements.
This course emphasises weekly reading and writing exercises, peer feedback, and tutor guidance. Tutors prompt and moderate discussions that centre on group learning rather than workshopping personal pieces of writing. Both assessed assignments receive detailed feedback from the tutor.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Programme details
The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:
1. Towards a definition of memoir
2. identifying subject areas about which to write
3. Engaging and sustaining the reader’s interest
4. Whose life is it? And what is ‘truth’?
5. Voices
6. The notion of self and ways to present it
7. Perspectives
8. So near yet so far – how close do we need to get?
9. Experimenting with time
10. Variety is the spice of life
Level and demands
This course is open to all, and no prior knowledge is required.
This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but we warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements, please see here.
Course aims
This course aims to explore a variety of life writing so that students can produce engaging and exciting original work which utilises the material from their own lives.
IT requirements
This course is delivered online; to participate you must be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.
Programme details
The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:
1. Towards a definition of memoir
2. identifying subject areas about which to write
3. Engaging and sustaining the reader’s interest
4. Whose life is it? And what is ‘truth’?
5. Voices
6. The notion of self and ways to present it
7. Perspectives
8. So near yet so far – how close do we need to get?
9. Experimenting with time
10. Variety is the spice of life
Teaching methods
- Introductory section, outlining key areas of work within each unit.
- Description of required reading and recommended reading.
- Presentation of materials taken from additional (eg. online) sources, relevant to each unit.
- Online discussion forum.
- Online personal study diary.
- Tutor responses to forum and exercises.
- Assessment and feedback.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course students will be expected to understand:
- That there are many different types of memoirs.
- That they must write in a manner which engages and sustains the interest of the reader.
- That they must transform their own life experiences innovatively.
By the end of this course students will be expected to have gained the following skills:
- To be able to write engaging texts.
- Transform their life experiences into appropriate textual varieties.
- The confidence to embark on their own memoir projects.
Assessment methods
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 1000 words plus a commentary of 250 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 2000 words AND an accompanying commentary of 500 words due at the end of the course. Please note: passing the course is contingent on completing the commentary as part of the assingnment, if you do not complete the commentary you will fail the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Mr Jeremy Hughes
Jeremy Hughes began his writing life with poetry. He was awarded first prize in the Poetry Wales Competition and shortlisted for an Eric Gregory Award. He has published two pamphlets breathing for all my birds, highlighted at the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, and The Woman Opposite. He has published two novels – Wingspan (2013) and Dovetail (2011). He has been the recipient of a Literature of Wales Writer’s Bursary. His short fiction and life-writing have been widely published, and he has reviewed fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction for such publications as TLS, Poetry Wales, New Welsh Review, Acumen, and Oranges & Sardines. He was in the first cohort to study for the Master’s in Creative Writing at Oxford. He is a member of the Society of Authors.
Assessment methods
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 1000 words plus a commentary of 250 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 2000 words AND an accompanying commentary of 500 words due at the end of the course. Please note: passing the course is contingent on completing the commentary as part of the assingnment, if you do not complete the commentary you will fail the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Level and demands
This course is open to all, and no prior knowledge is required.
This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but we warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements, please see here.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £695.00 |
Module code: O26P651CRV
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.