Stories shape how we see the world — and how we see ourselves.
ENGL1067 introduces students to the art and craft of creative writing across fiction and creative nonfiction, with a focus on storytelling, voice, and style. Open to students from all disciplines, the course invites you to think imaginatively, experiment boldly, and take creative risks in an inclusive, supportive, and high energy environment.
Through contemporary global readings and hands on writing practice, students will explore how writers build compelling characters, construct immersive worlds, and shape narratives that resonate with modern audiences. Whether you are new to creative writing or already writing on your own, this course will challenge you to refine your craft, expand your creative range, and discover new possibilities in your work.
Storytelling is not limited to literary fields; it is a powerful tool for communicating ideas across platforms and shaping innovation across disciplines. As such, students from both literary and non literary backgrounds will strengthen essential skills in communication, empathy, and narrative design — learning how storytelling shapes leadership, persuasion, collaboration, and the ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and impact.
In this course, students will:
• Develop foundational skills in creative writing across fiction and creative nonfiction
• Explore storytelling traditions across historical periods and cultural contexts
• Learn key elements of narrative craft such as character, plot, structure, and voice
• Experiment with multilingual and multicultural perspectives in their writing
• Practice revision strategies and constructive peer feedback
• Build confidence in shaping original creative work for contemporary audiences, including digital and multimedia platforms
Topics
This course introduces core concepts and techniques in creative writing, including:
Foundations of Storytelling
• What is creative writing?
• Genre, form, and audience
• Storytelling across cultures and traditions
Elements of Craft
• Character and voice
• Point of view
• Setting and perspective
• Time, plot, and structure
• Pacing and narrative momentum
Language and Creativity
• Language, style, and metaphor
• Cultural and multilingual awareness in storytelling
• Pushing the boundaries of convention
The Writing Process
• Observation and idea generation
• Drafting and experimentation
• Editing and revision
• Peer review and critique
Organization
The course combines foundational lectures on craft and selected readings with smaller group tutorial sessions. Tutorials will feature structured writing exercises, peer review in rotating small groups, guided feedback frameworks, and collaborative discussion.
Form of Assessment: 100% Coursework
• Class Participation & Attendance: 15%
• In Class Writing Exercises: 20%
• Midterm Creative Project: 30%
• Final Creative Project: 35%
Readings will include selected works by contemporary and multicultural writers, including but not limited to:
• Ocean Vuong
• Carmen Maria Machado
• Kazuo Ishiguro
• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Haruki Murakami
• Jhumpa Lahiri
• Madeline Miller
• George Saunders
• Sally Rooney
• Han Kang
• Mohsin Hamid
Additional short fiction and creative nonfiction will be provided throughout the semester to showcase a broad range of styles, cultural perspectives, and storytelling traditions.