Introduction to Writing for Narrative Games presents you with a selection of the forms of interactive narrative games that have emerged since the mid-1970s. The module focuses on print narratives since the principles of their authoring and design underpin, and provide useful grounding for, the consideration and creation of digital narratives at higher levels. You will address four specific forms: the interactive ‘gamebook’, the narrative board game, the story-creation card game, and the tabletop role-playing game. The aim is to explore key aesthetic concepts such as forking path narrative structures, narrative play and ludic narratives, immersion, simulation, improvisation, game-story design, and interactive storytelling.

Introduction to Poetry guides you in the art of non-metrical poetry by concentrating upon shorter poems and upon building up techniques of perception, language and effect. This will be done in combination with the reading of poetry with the aim of integrating reading as a poet into an on-going practice of reflection. Emphasis will be placed upon journal writing and workshop practice.

Introduction to Fiction outlines the art of fiction by concentrating on shorter pieces, often referred to as ‘microfiction’. The module also builds up techniques of perception, language and effect, in combination with the reading of fiction, with the aim of integrating reading as a fiction writer into an on-going practice of reflection. Emphasis will be placed upon journal writing and workshop practice.

Introduction to Scriptwriting covers some of the essential elements of dramatic scriptwriting. These include characterisation, writing dialogue, scenes and beats, monologues, conflict and structure. The module will explore the concept of story in different mediums (theatre/film/television/radio) but will focus in particular on radio drama. You will gain an understanding of the specific demands of learning how to write effectively for radio.

Reading the World and the Business of Writing introduces you to a range of contemporary writing, in all its formats, both in English and English translation. The module will help you to develop the art of reading as a writer, enhance your understanding of poetics, and encourage you to contribute to the cultural landscape by producing and maintaining a writer’s blog. All activities will be developed and encouraged via tutorials, lectures, seminars and workshops.

The Studio introduces you to various ways of exploring your writing practice through a series of exercises and writing experiments. The module will equip you with the essential skills for the writing process, enabling you to develop your own creative ideas and writing voice and reflect on the practice of creative and imaginative writing. You will gain an understanding of the importance of re-drafting work, explore the poetics and philosophy of writing, and be encouraged to step outside your comfort zone. The module will provide you with the foundations to become an innovative writer. You will be able to creatively explore ways of writing and thinking about writing, while also being adaptable and reflective.

TLC1010 Language 1 is ideal if you want to learn a new language, or further develop your current language skills, as an integrated element of your degree. You can study French, German, Arabic, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish (subject to minimum numbers for your preferred language). Delivered at the Edge Hill Language Centre, the module will be taught in an interactive, communicative manner, using authentic materials in the target language. Emphasis will be placed on all four areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will play an active role in the weekly two-hour classes, engaging in role-plays, short conversations, videos, authentic texts and listening materials. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your own learning needs. On enrolment to the module, you will complete a language induction form and be placed into a language level group appropriate for your prior knowledge of your chosen language. Please note, while we will endeavour to accommodate varying language levels per module, this is not always possible. While you can join the module with some prior experience of your target language, you will not be able to study a language you are already fluent or proficient in.

The Writer’s Life introduces you to various creative industries (commercial, trade and independent publishing), fields of contemporary literary production and the role(s) of the creative writer within the publishing world and other creative and cultural environments. The module also provides you with the opportunity to engage in professional practice via an independent project where you will negotiate the creation of a cultural artefact and/or cultural service or take an unpaid placement (organised by yourself) in a professional environment. All activities will be developed and encouraged via tutorials, lectures, seminars and workshops.

Inside the Publishing Industry develops your awareness of publishing across literary genres with a focus on poetry, fiction, script and digital publishing. You will explore what writers and publishers are looking for in the 21st century and receive talks by guest speakers from leading publishing presses as well as industry professionals. A study of all genres is designed to explore the differences between writing and production via print, digital media and performance. Self-directed placements in publishing and/or group projects will help develop new skills and experience in the cultural industries. Additionally, this module will involve a visit to a major literary event (such as a festival or book fair) where you can learn more about current trends and predicted futures in a fast-moving publishing climate.

The Art of Poetry enables you to write in, and experiment with, a variety of styles, to read a range of contemporary and recent poetry, and to relate that reading to an on-going process of reflection that will feedback into a robust and inventive writing practice. Emphasis will be placed upon continuous journaling, intensive reading and workshop participation.

Writing Short Stories explores the nature of the short story form and its specific demands on the writer. You will produce your own short fiction, responding to the diversity of styles and genres adopted by short story authors. You will also be given guidance on potential outlets for your work.

The Art of Scriptwriting explores various strategies towards scriptwriting with a particular emphasis on writing imaginatively for the stage. You will gain an understanding of the central role of the playwright in the theatre making process, be involved in a dramaturgical analysis of a range of scripts, and gain an understanding of how plays are constructed. The module enables you to experience writing collaboratively as well as developing your own personal practice and playwright’s aesthetic. Additionally, you will prepare, pitch, develop and write to format your own original one act play.

Writing for Roleplaying Games introduces you to the genres, forms and conventions of the tabletop roleplaying game. The module enables you to explore and practice the discipline of writing roleplaying game scenarios, including the understanding of rule-sets and game mechanics, the creation of non-player characters, the conception and planning of narrative spaces as sites of action, the importance of clear and cohesive plotting, and considerations of how the manipulation of certain games systems’ ludic elements can enhance interactive storytelling.

The Art of Creative Non-Fiction enables you to tell true stories and tell them well. In recent years, creative non-fiction has become the undisputed most popular genre in the literary and publishing communities. The genre includes travel journalism, opinion pieces, memoirs, documentary poetry and much more. Gaining experience of writing in non-fictional contexts will enhance your employability and provide an insight into the world of possibility and opportunity that exists outside of the more conventional creative writing disciplines. The module will develop your research skills and your reading as a writer, introducing you to a range of non-fiction work and equipping you with an understanding of the contemporary non-fiction literary landscape. You will gain first-hand understanding of the specific techniques used for creating compelling non-fiction both through further development of your own writing practice.

TLC2000 Language 2 enables you to build on and develop your previous language knowledge in French, German, Arabic, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish. You must have either studied the prior language module in the previous year of your degree or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge of your target language (though you will not be able to study a language you are already fluent or proficient in). The language levels available will be determined by the continuation of corresponding groups from module TLC1010 Language 1. You will gain the language skills necessary to become a more proficient user of the language. Classes will be taught in an interactive and communicative manner using authentic materials to promote meaningful communication. They will be conducted in the target language as much as possible. Emphasis will be on speaking and listening, with appropriate attention also being paid to other communication skills. Other work will include a variety of tasks which may be completed in the Language Centre.

The Writer’s Workshop enables you to develop your practical and creative skills in a specific genre, as well as to further investigate the processes involved in your own practice and that of other writers. The module provides you with the opportunity to develop and complete an extended creative project in a field of your choosing, along with a 3,000-word critique of the work. The project may take any form agreed by the project supervisor but in most cases will consist of a collection of poems, a collection of short stories, a short novel or novella, a play, a film or television script.

The Writer at Work places creative practice within its cultural and industry context through a detailed case study. focusing on the career of a significant 21st century author, who may be working in a single literary genre or across several, including script, fiction, poetry, non-fiction or electronic media. Examples might include Alice Munro, Alasdair Gray, Caryl Churchil, Iain Sinclair. You are able to study a writer’s body of work in greater depth than is usual at this level, while also gaining insights into the author’s creative and professional practice in relation to the creative industries.

Poetry and Innovative Form enables you to practice advanced techniques and develop innovative strategies for writing poetry, while reading a range of contemporary works (including emergent forms) and reflecting upon the reading and writing. You will feed the resultant poetics of this writing back into a developed poetic practice. Emphasis will be placed upon autonomous and continuous writing practice and experimentation and the development of a poetics of writing to accompany and fortify this, as well as reading poetry as a fellow-practitioner and developing this work and awareness through workshop participation.

Advanced Fiction provides you with the opportunity to write fiction at an advanced level, with a particular focus on the novel and the short story sequence. Using increasingly complex themes and techniques, you will establish a growing sense of autonomy as a writer, shaped by the reading of fiction and also your own continuous writing practice. You are also encouraged to experiment with form and genre and to consider potential publishing outlets for your work.

The Art of Screenwriting focuses on the art of screenwriting for television and film. The module will give you an understanding of character, plot, dialogue, montage and the structure of screenwriting. The module will explore the particular skills required for writing visually for the screen and the television medium. You will also learn to analyse films and consider a sequence analysis of scripts from the writer’s perspective. Some consideration on getting films produced and the industrial context of film making. The module will culminate in the preparing of outlines, the pitching of film ideas, treatments and writing to format your own industry standard film/television script (between 30-45 minutes long with appropriate additional documentation such as scene-by-scene and episode breakdowns).

Writing for Digital Adventure Games introduces you to the genres, forms and conventions of the digital adventure game. The module enables you to explore and practice the discipline of writing digital adventure game scenarios, including the understanding of game mechanics, the creation of non-player characters, the conception and planning of narrative spaces as sites of action, plotting, scripting and considerations of how the manipulation of a game’s ludic elements can enhance interactive storytelling.

Experiments in Writing introduces you to various ways of experimenting with writing, whether this be through various techniques such as ouvroir de littérature potentielle (OULIPO) or through various styles, such as writing comedy, experimenting within genre, or even mixing styles, for example OULIPO comedic writing. The exact areas of study will vary depending on the interests of the group as well as the areas of expertise and research of the module leader. Such areas might include writing comedy for performance, writing through a system-based practice or writing for a particular genre that explores more fully ways of subverting and experimenting with particular techniques. The aim is for you to become an innovative writer who is creatively experimental and able to write and read outside of your comfort zone. All activities will be developed and encouraged via tutorials, seminars and workshops.

TLC3000 Language 3 further enhances your language skills in French, German, Arabic, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish and introduces you to a new culture and way of life. It is suitable if you have studied the prior language module in the previous year of your degree or if you can demonstrate equivalent knowledge of your target language (though you will not be able to study a language you are already fluent or proficient in). The language levels available will be determined by the continuation of corresponding groups from module TLC2000 Language 2. You will develop language skills to a level of proficiency that will enable you to spend time living or working abroad. Classes will be conducted as much as possible in the target language. They will be taught in an interactive, communicative manner, using authentic materials in the target language. Emphasis will be on speaking and listening, with appropriate attention also being paid to other skills. Other work will include a variety of tasks which may be completed in the Language Centre.

The programme is now available to study on a full-time or part-time basis. It was previously available full-time only.

WRI1033 The Studio (20 credits) replaces WRI1014 Building the World (20 credits) as a compulsory module in Year 1. WRI1022 Writing for Non-Fiction (20 credits) removed as an optional module in Year 1, meaning that WRI1017 Introduction to Writing for Narrative Games (20 credits) is now compulsory unless students wish to choose a Language module in its place;

WRI2028 The Art of Creative Non-Fiction (20 credits) replaces WRI2027 Genre and Popular Fiction (20 credits) as an optional module in Year 2.

WRI3017 Advanced Theatre Writing (20 credits), WRI3018 Expanded Writing (20 credits) and WRI3019 Writing Comedy (20 credits) removed as optional modules in Year 3.