Short Introduction to Writing Crime Fiction ADED12040E

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: Short Courses
  • Credits: 5
  • Level: Level 1 (SCQF level 7)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

Join this course to learn some of the key elements of writing crime fiction and how they apply to various sub-genres, from 'cosy crime' to police procedural. With encouragement, support and guidance, learn how to create stories which involve engaging mysteries, detectives, suspects, clues and suspense. With input from an expert in forensic psychology, learn more about criminal behaviour to help lend your fiction more realistic detail. The course will include talks, analysis of appropriate examples, writing exercises, opportunities to share your work, discussions and online resources. Overall, this course offers a welcoming first step or reinvigorating new approach to writing gripping crime fiction. 

Timetable

Block 1,

2 hours, 5 weeks, Weeks 6-10

Wednesdays, 18:30-20:30

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

To assess #ILO 1

Assessment one: 1,000-word portfolio of original crime fiction writing in the form of one complete short story or extract from a longer work (75% of final grade)

 

To assess #ILO 2

Assessment two: 250-word self-reflective essay considering at least one crime writing technique, piece of feedback or aspect of forensic psychology obtained on this course that directly informed the creative choices made in the portfolio (25% of final grade)

Course Aims

The aims of this course are to:

■ Introduce students to some of the key literary and psychological characteristics of crime writing through textual analysis of notable examples and an overview of relevant forensic psychological research

■ Encourage individual, creative approaches through practical writing exercises that enable students to apply key techniques from the crime genre to their own work

■ Build students' confidence by submitting their creative writing for peer and tutor feedback

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Compose persuasive, artistically coherent and technically competent written work that demonstrates some of the key techniques of crime writing

■ Reflect upon their own creative process of writing in the crime genre

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.