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The module begins with a broad survey of the three genres (science fiction, fantasy and crime) and their sub-genres, giving you an overview of the defining features and audience expectations of each. This will enable you to choose your focus for both your research and creative practice. Each week you’ll learn and experiment with a new story development technique, such as world-building and narrative position; plotting and thematic structuring; linguistic invention and characterisation. In class discussions, you’ll debate published examples from across the genres, enabling you to further reflect on your own creative choices. In the later weeks of the module, you’ll participate in a formal masterclass, presenting your work-in-progress and critical self-reflection for live editorial discussion with your tutor, followed by one-to-one peer feedback. In the closing weeks, you’ll use all your learning to hone and polish your creative portfolio for submission.

LO1: demonstrate a critical understanding of the scope of genre fiction and the defining features of sub-genres
LO2: identify and analyse how genre fiction can reflect diversity and motivate cultural change
LO3: draw on a range of sources to make appropriate judgements about the creative opportunities presented by commercial genres
LO4: develop ideas for genre fiction narratives through individual and collaborative creative work
LO5: critically evaluate your own work and that of others using appropriate professional frameworks