ELECTIVE COURSES / CREATIVE WRITING, LANGUAGE And SOCIETY
fAISOM UNIVERSITY Central Europe.
Lecturer: Stella Maris
ELECTIVE COURSES / CREATIVE WRITING, LANGUAGE And SOCIETY
INTRODUCTION.
In a university setting, an elective course is a class chosen by the student based on personal interest rather than being a compulsory requirement of the program.
An elective is optional and allows students to explore areas outside their major discipline or to gain additional skills.
Creative Writing is one of the elective courses in this program, and it will be studied under the following subtopics:
Fiction Writing
Poetry
Creative Non-Fiction
Screenwriting
Playwriting
Genre-Specific Writing
1. Fiction Writing
Fiction writing is the act of creating imaginary stories using one’s imagination. These stories are not real, although they may be inspired by real events, people, or emotions.
Before beginning a fiction piece, a writer must consider:
a. The purpose of writing
b. The intention to entertain readers
c. The desire to explore ideas, emotions, and experiences
d. The need to communicate messages or themes creatively
ELEMENTS OF FICTION WRITING
Plot: The sequence of events in the story.
Characters: The individuals who take part in the story.
Setting: The time and place where the story occurs.
Conflict: The problem or challenge the characters face.
Theme: The underlying message or lesson conveyed by the story.
Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told (e.g., first-person, third-person).
SKILLS DEVELOPED IN FICTION WRITING
Creativity and imagination
Narrative and descriptive writing skills
Character and plot development
The ability to express ideas clearly and artistically
GENRES OF FICTION
Examples include:
Science Fiction
Romance
Historical Fiction
Horror
Fantasy
Mystery
Adventure
2. POETRY
Poetry is a literary form that emphasizes the aesthetic qualities of language, often using meter, rhyme, imagery, and symbolism to convey emotions, ideas, or narratives.
In this Master’s programme, the study of poetry involves both creative composition and the critical analysis of poetic works.
Critical Analysis of Poetry
Critical analysis is the careful examination and interpretation of a poem to understand its:
Meaning
Structure
Themes
Language and imagery
Artistic techniques and effects
It goes beyond simply reading the poem; it requires thoughtful reflection on how and why the poem creates its impact.
FORMS OF POETRY
The form of a poem refers to its overall structure, including rules of length, style, rhyme, and rhythm.
Examples of Poetic Forms
Sonnet:
A poem of 14 lines, usually written in iambic meter.
An iamb is a metrical foot consisting of two syllables:
the first unstressed (weak)
the second stressed (strong)
ODE:
A poem of praise, often expressing admiration for a person, idea, or object.
STRUCTURE IN POETRY
Structure refers to the internal organization of a poem—how it is built line by line and stanza by stanza.
Elements of Structure
Line
Stanza
Rhyme Scheme
Students should be able not only to write poems but also to critically analyze them.
Short Poem Example
“Whispers of Dawn”
The night withdraws its tattered cloak,
As silver threads of morning break;
The world inhales a quiet hope,
And weary hearts begin to wake.
Critical Analysis
Structure and Form:
The poem is written in quatrain form (four-line stanza).
Rhyme Scheme:
A B A B –
“cloak” (A)
“break” (B)
“hope” (A)
“wake” (B)
MEANING:
The poem describes the transition from night to dawn, symbolizing renewal, hope, and emotional awakening.