Writing Studies - Welcome & Introduction
“The wastebasket is a writer's best friend.” ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer
 Do you love expressing yourself in words? Would you enjoy a learning environment in which you could explore your creativity as a poet, or as fiction writer? Acquire the skills in written communication you will apply in business environments, or in public relations, or in professional speech-writing. Learn to write for digital media, or for the screen. Write more effectively in academic contexts.
A major in Writing Studies will help you to achieve your personal and career goals by enabling you to identify who you are writing for, and how to choose the best language and structure for your purpose. It will equip you with the research skills you will need to write convincingly about the past, or when you want to create a vivid sense of the contemporary world. It will help you develop the reading and analytical skills which are essential for effective writing.
Writing Studies offers a writing-intensive learning experience that will enable you to grow as a writer no matter where your interest lies. Writing Studies offers papers in:
- Creative writing, including poetry, short fiction and historical fiction
- Literary non-fiction, including food writing, life writing and travel writing
- Digital story-telling
- Business communication
- Professional speaking and speechwriting
- Public relations writing
- The philosophy of language and communication
- Understanding the requirements of specific audiences and readers
- Theories of reading
- Academic writing and research
Programme highlights:
Creative Writing
- ENGL213 Creative Non-Fiction
- ENGL318 Creative Writing
- HIST207 Writing Historical Fiction
These papers encourage students to learn through reading and writing, and through the critique of work in progress. They are taught by high-profile practitioners who are also experienced teachers of creative writing. They are often available during the Summer School semester.
Writing for digital media
- ENGL310 Cyber Reading/Cyber Writing
This paper analyses hypertext environments, hypertext fictions and theories which reflect on cyberspace. It gives students the opportunity to devise hypertext formats for classic texts and original works.
Work placement
 WRIT396 Work Placement gives students in their final year of study the opportunity to work as interns in public or private organizations where written communication is part of the daily working environment. Students will acquire vital professional writing skills, enhance their CVs, and make valuable industry contacts. Potential mentor organizations include the Waikato Museum of Art and History, the Waikato Times, Environment Waikato, Hamilton City Council and the University of Waikato Publicity Office. Students are also encouraged to seek their own work placements, in consultation with the programme advisor. Students are supervised by workplace mentors who assign tasks and sign a daily log; students keep a journal and write a final report on their learning experience.
Writing Project
WRIT391 Writing Project allows students to design and carry out an independent writing project, mentored by University of Waikato writing staff. For example, you may choose to prepare a creative writing portfolio, or research a topic in business or professional writing, or further your interest in writing for digital media.
The writing intensive requirement
All papers listed for the Writing Studies programme are writing intensive. This means that they highlight practical writing, and are at least 50% course-assessed, involve at least three pieces of written work, and involve a compulsory redrafting/resubmission exercise.
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