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Writing Studies Courses
featured courses
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2203F/G - From Headline to Deadline: Writing for Publication
Develop skills in the preparation, writing, copy-editing, and formatting of publication at every level of writing.
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2550A - The English Language for Creative and Professional Writers
Learn how the English language began, how it evolves, how it functions, and how you can make it work for you.
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2520A - Write Now! Writers on Writing
Experience the unique opportunity to learn from a wide variety of writers about the craft of writing and the creative life while improving your own writing.
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2530B - TV or Not TV: Writing for the Television Industry
Learn how to write and pitch creative projects reflecting today’s dominant television broadcast models by exploring a variety of formats and genres, this course will also help prepare students for professional careers in writing and production in the television industry in both Canada and the United States.
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3221F - Crime Scene to Courtroom: Forensic Writing
From true crime exposés to writing search warrants, learn to investigate and document incidents likely to result in criminal prosecution, litigation, or inquiry.
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3225F/G - Writing and AI in the Digital Age
Learn about copyright and remix culture, neuroscience and the impact of online reading, collaborative writing with both humans and AI, and how to craft compelling content for a variety of online media and platforms.
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3402G - Hitting the Right Notes: Song Lyric Writing
Learn essential lyric writing tools while studying master songwriters and workshopping your own lyrics. This course is cross-listed with MUSIC-3732G.
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3610F - Creating Youth: Writing for Young Adults
Learn the craft of writing for young adult readers.
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3620G - Writing Horror Fiction
Learn to write short stories, novels, and in adjacent platforms for horror, including film, streaming, and video games, all while considering the earliest Gothic works to current trends in techno-horror.
Web Registration: If you have a question or concern about registration (Writing course selection, Writing module/program requirements, and related matters), please first read the course descriptions and module/program descriptions (and linked ‘Worksheets’) as applicable. To view calendar descriptions and recent course outlines for 2024-25 courses follow the links below. If your questions are not answered by the information in those documents, or if you wish to apply for Special Permission to take a Writing Studies course, please feel free to contact the Undergraduate Program Director/Writing Studies, Dr. Jamie Johnston, directly by email at jjohns6@uwo.ca.
*Students registered in FIMS please note: If you have at least 65% in each of MIT 1020E (or both of MIT 1021F/G and MIT 1022F/G) and MIT 1025F/G (total 1.5) you now have the prerequisite for most senior Writing courses.
See Western Academic Timetable for course delivery details.
FALL/WINTER 2024-25 COURSES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
1000-Level Introductory Writing Courses
1000F/G - Writers' Studio Fall Section 001 Syllabus Winter Section 001 Syllabus |
1031F/G - Global Positioning: Introduction to Rhetoric and Professional Communication Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
2000 and 2100-Level Introductory Writing Courses
Speech 2001 - The Major Forms of Oral Discourse Full Year Section 001 Syllabus |
2101F/G - Introduction to Expository Writing Fall Section 001 Syllabus Winter Section 001 Syllabus |
2111F/G - Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
2130F/G - Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers "Writing 2130F/G is one of the most important courses in Western’s curriculum that any aspiring engineer will take. In all types of engineering, the successful outcome of a project is directly related to how effectively every team member communicates with each other and with the project stakeholders. As a professional in your chosen field, you will be solicited for advice and direction by clients, colleagues, superiors, and the public. Key skills developed in the course include knowing your audience and guiding the reader through the document. Speaking from experience, I have found that taking the time to incorporate key communication concepts is crucial to having your work approved by superiors and authorities in a more timely manner." -- Markus Eichenbaum, Development Engineering Technologist, City of Mississauga, MESc (2020), Civil & Environmental Engineering |
2131F/G - No Bones About It: Writing for the Sciences Winter Section 650 Syllabus |
2200-Level Advanced Writing Courses
2202F/G - Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age |
2203F/G - From Headline to Deadline: Writing for Publication Winter Section 650 Syllabus |
2204F/G - Short Flicks: An Introduction to Screenwriting |
2209F/G - Visual Information Packaging: Document Design |
2210F/G - GrammarPhobia Demystified: Contemporary Grammar for Writers |
2214F/G - Memoir, Memories, and Disclosure: Creative Non-Fiction |
2215F/G - Encoding Persuasion: Rhetorical Theory |
2218F/G - To Make a Long Story Short: Introduction to Writing Short Fiction |
2219F/G - Word Travels: Introduction to Travel Writing |
2220F/G - Introduction to Writing Poetry |
2223F/G - Fashion Writing: Elements of Style |
2224F/G - Writing for the Big Screen: Introduction to Feature Film Writing |
2225F/G - The Inside Track: Sport Writing |
2226F/G - Out of the Book: Contemporary Experimental Writing Practices In this experimental creative writing course students use a variety of media, online platforms, and source material to create innovative projects that challenge traditional modes of literary expression. They will be introduced to experimental writers/artists. Assignments will incorporate appropriation, collage, and sampling. |
2520A - Write Now! Writers on Writing Through a series of guest lectures by contemporary writers, this course explores the art, craft, and process of creative writing in a variety of genres. Course topics include inspiration, overcoming creative blocks, revision, social media, publishing, literary citizenship, and the writing life. More details >>> Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
2530B - TV or Not TV: Writing for the Television Industry This course teaches students how to write and pitch creative projects reflecting today’s dominant television broadcast models. By exploring a variety of formats and genres, this course will also help prepare students for professional careers in writing and production in the television industry in both Canada and the United States. Winter Section 001 Syllabus |
2550A/B - The English Language for Creative and Professional Writers Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
3200-Level Advanced Writing Courses
3221F/G - Crime Scene to Courtroom: Forensic Writing |
3225F/G - Writing and AI in the Digital Age |
3228F/G - Concept to Product: Publishing |
3300F/G - Internship in Writing Students registered in a Certificate or Minor degree module in Writing and who have a cumulative average of 80% in Writing courses may elect to do an internship with an approved institution as a course at the 3300 level. Course requirements will be set individually prior to registration. |
3402F/G - Hitting the Right Notes: Song Lyric Writing Do you want to write lyrics in your favourite musical genre—blues, rock, folk, pop, hip hop, and others? Learn essential lyric writing tools including imagery, repetition, metre, persona, and storytelling structure while studying master songwriters and workshopping your own lyrics. No previous music theory experience required. Winter Section 001 Syllabus |
3610F/G - Creating Youth: Writing for Young Adults This course considers the craft of writing for young adult readers. We will read several YA texts to examine craft and write literature for adolescents. We will complete several pieces geared specifically to young adult readers. Assignments may include a novel pitch, short fiction piece, novel chunk, and poetry collection. Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
3620F/G - Writing Horror Fiction |
3640F/G - Crime Writing: Black Dahlias, Red Herrings, and Tequila Sunrises his course introduces students to the process of writing crime fiction for a variety of media. Drawing on classic works, students will also learn about the criminal mind and investigative procedure as they create realistic portrayals of the genre's archetypal crimes, including murder, ransom kidnapping, and the theft of antiquities.
Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
4000-Level Advanced Writing Courses
4998F/G - Re-visioning Self: Creating Your Professional Portfolio Winter Section 650 Syllabus |
4999E - Creative Writing Thesis Please fill out the Agreement/Consent Supervisor Form and return. |
Spring/summer 2024 COURSES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Distance Studies (May 6-June 14)
Course Number |
Course Title |
Writing 1000F |
Writers' Studio Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus |
Writing 2101F |
Introduction to Expository Writing An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of subjects and disciplines. Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 2121F/G. Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus |
Writing 2130F |
Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers "Writing 2130F/G is one of the most important courses in Western’s curriculum that any aspiring engineer will take. In all types of engineering, the successful outcome of a project is directly related to how effectively every team member communicates with each other and with the project stakeholders. As a professional in your chosen field, you will be solicited for advice and direction by clients, colleagues, superiors, and the public. Key skills developed in the course include knowing your audience and guiding the reader through the document. Speaking from experience, I have found that taking the time to incorporate key communication concepts is crucial to having your work approved by superiors and authorities in a more timely manner." -- Markus Eichenbaum, Development Engineering Technologist, City of Mississauga, MESc (2020), Civil & Environmental Engineering Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus |
Distance Studies (May 6-July 26)
Course Number |
Course Title |
Writing 2111F |
Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus |
Writing 2202F |
Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus |
Course listings are subject to change. See Western Academic Timetable for date, time, and location of specific courses. See Undergraduate Sessional Dates for more details and deadlines.