Hey, Ilkomers! Have you ever felt like your head is bursting with ideas, but somehow it’s so hard to put them into words? Well, that’s actually totally normal! Many communication students have tons of creative thoughts, yet struggle to turn them into well-structured and engaging writing.
That’s where the Creative Writing course comes in! For first-semester Ilkomers, this class provides a space to channel your imagination while honing your writing skills from various perspectives. So, let’s get to know this course better through the explanation of one of its lecturers, Siti Fatimah Zahrah Fibaeti, M.I.Kom.
What is the purpose of the Creative Writing course?
In general, this course is designed to foster students’ interest and habit in writing from an early stage. For freshmen who are just beginning to explore the academic world, Creative Writing serves as a foundation to develop sensitivity toward language and written expression.
At the beginning of the semester, students are encouraged to write freely and exploratively, helping them express ideas and emotions without fear of making mistakes. After the midterm exam, the focus gradually shifts toward more structured forms of writing, such as crafting articles or essays with organized composition. This gradual approach allows students not only to write more fluently but also to realize that writing is a skill built through consistent practice.
According to Siti Fatimah, this course also provides essential preparation for other communication assignments, such as papers, academic articles, and research reports.
Are there any changes in this year’s syllabus?
Substantively, the Creative Writing syllabus has not undergone major changes in recent years, but there have been adjustments in how the material is delivered. In previous semesters, the topics included aspects of copywriting and digital media writing. Now, the focus has shifted toward opinion article writing to align with students’ needs to adapt to today’s fast-paced digital media environment.
What’s the teaching method like?
The Creative Writing class is known for its active and diverse learning methods. With a 3-credit load, each session goes beyond theoretical explanations and emphasizes direct writing practice using various media such as Padlet, WhatsApp Groups, and email.
Students are also encouraged to write daily through diary-based assignments to build consistency in expressing their ideas. In the regular class, students submit diary entries every day, while IUP (International Undergraduate Program) students submit weekly entries in English. This difference exists to ensure IUP students can write expressively without being overly burdened by language barriers.
Beyond the diary, students also practice enriching their vocabulary, finding synonyms, and writing through sensory descriptions to make their writing more vivid. In each meeting, the lecturer often showcases students’ works for class-wide analysis, allowing everyone to learn how to refine sentence structure, choose effective diction, and adapt their writing style to context.
How are students assessed?
Unlike most courses that emphasize memorization or cognitive tests, Creative Writing focuses on the process and progress of each student’s writing ability. There are no quizzes or memory-based tests because the core of this class lies in practice and writing evaluation.
Students are assessed based on how boldly they explore ideas, how consistently they practice, and how well they edit both their own and their peers’ work. The lecturer acts more as a facilitator who helps students find their own voice and writing style, rather than a grader who simply assigns numbers.
What skills are required?
One of the most crucial skills for succeeding in Creative Writing is reading. According to Siti, many freshmen tend to write in a news-reporting style because their reading references are limited to informational texts. Regular reading helps students understand various writing structures, for instance, distinguishing between opinion articles and essays. For IUP students, an additional skill in writing proper English grammar is also valuable. However, what matters most is the depth of ideas and originality of expression, not just grammatical accuracy.
Now that you’ve got a clear picture of what Creative Writing is all about, Ilkomers. Remember, this course isn’t just about writing techniques, it’s about building a personal relationship with your writing. Students learn that writing isn’t something to be feared, but a way to think, express, and communicate. So, it’s time to start writing bravely. Who knows? From those simple class assignments, you might just create something truly inspiring!
Course 101 Vol #4