Short Introduction to Writing Historical Fiction ADED12041E

  • 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 convincing historical fiction (concerning events of 50 years ago or more), with encouragement, support and guidance. You'll learn how to create vivid characters, authentic settings and blend fictive storytelling with real historical events, figures and places. With input from a history expert, you will also have the opportunity to learn how to research real historical details to lend your fiction more authenticity. 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 fiction that really brings history to life for readers today.

Timetable

Block 1,

2 hours, 5 weeks, Weeks 1-5

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 historical 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 historical fiction technique, piece of feedback or aspect of historical research 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 characteristics of historical fiction and provide further guidance on how to research history such as searching archives and comparing historical perspectives

■ Encourage individual, creative approaches through practical writing exercises that enable students to apply key techniques from historical fiction 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 historical fiction

■ 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.