Basic Teaching of Creative Writing as a “Pool of Inspiration”: A Discussion Starting from the Undergraduate Teaching of Drama and Film Arts in the Creative Writing Programme

Abstract

The study of the definition of “creative writing” and the nurturing of talents can be pursued on two levels: first, it can be studied as a newly independent academic discipline, and, second, as a specialized required subject or as an elective in other relevant disciplines. As a new independent discipline, creative writing programmes have gradually been set up in some tertiary institutions, mainly focusing on education and teaching at the master’s degree level; while as a foundation course of relevant disciplines, the role which creative writing courses play at the undergraduate level cannot be neglected. On one hand, it is fundamental and directional, reflecting common knowledge and basic principles which allow students to have understanding and choice in the relevant aspects in their subsequent work or studies. On the other hand, it reflects its function as a “pool of inspiration” for creative writing in the broader sense of writing, which stimulates more abundant writing outcomes in the broader sense. Therefore, creative writing programmes and relevant training have been generally set up and used under drama and film subjects. In long-term pedagogical practice, drama and film subjects have formed more complete pedagogical experience in creative writing, which forms the “pool of inspiration” for the pedagogical methodology for creative writing at the undergraduate level. This paper shall comb through undergraduate pedagogy in drama and film in creative writing programmes as a “pool of inspiration” from the three aspects of causes and aims, methods and logic, interaction and effects, and shall summarize the methods formed and the directional outlook.