England

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Accessibility statement
This module looks at creativity in the English language around the world: from everyday contexts to ‘high culture’ literary language and the impact of new media. You'll investigate the relationships between language and other modes, such as image, movement, music, and dance, and also explore the rise of social media and its profound effect on the uses of language in society. The module gives a detailed understanding of what linguistic creativity is, how it is used, and the issues it raises, while also helping you to consider your own daily experiences of the English language.
The module is relevant to anyone with a general interest in linguistics and the English language, and how it is used by speakers, writers, and producers of multimodal texts in creative ways; or in specific areas of language study, such as language and literature, language and media, or children’s language. It is also relevant to teachers and others with a professional interest in English.
The module is divided into the following three main sections:
Creativity in Language: from Everyday Style to Verbal Art
The first section examines the fundamental role that creativity plays in the way we express ourselves, both in everyday and literary contexts. It considers how linguistic creativity is achieved, what effects it has, and how we can study it. The approaches discussed in this section range from those used in stylistics and sociolinguistics to literary studies, with examples drawn from everyday contexts (such as conversations at home or at work), as well as from popular culture, including the sitcom, to ‘high culture’ literary language. It also considers the effects that the rise of social media has had on the use of language in society, as well as the potential this creates for new forms of linguistic and communicative play.
Narrative, language and creativity
This section brings together current ideas and research in narrative approaches and analysis from across a range of disciplines to address the following key questions: Why does narrative continue to play such a central role in our lives? What kinds of narrative practices are found in different areas of social and artistic life? How have narrative practices been changing in the face of new multimedia possibilities and challenges? What analytical and theoretical frameworks are available to explore the current functions and significance of narrative in its many varied manifestations?
The politics of language and creativity in a globalised world
The final section explores the explosion in text ‘production’ activity across modes, media and technologies in contemporary society and examines how this historic shift is raising questions about what gets counted and valued as ‘creative’ linguistic and semiotic practice and why. Using examples including advertisements, political speeches, social media, poetry, pop songs and digital fiction, the section explores a number of key questions: In what ways is linguistic and semiotic ‘creativity’ a political phenomenon? How are creative acts shaped and constrained by political, social, economic and technological forces? How is linguistic and semiotic creativity currently being used as a resource for political activity, and why? How is the global status and uses of English reconfiguring the nature of linguistic and semiotic practices, and what gets evaluated as ‘creative’?
In exploring creativity across a range of genres and social contexts, this module provides a lively introduction to stylistic, sociolinguistic and multimodal analysis. It draws on work in literature, creative writing and performance studies as well as English language studies.
This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at OU levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with the OU. Unless you have previous experience of studying the English language, or linguistics, language and literature or some other branch of language studies, you are advised to take this module after studying the OU level 2 module English in the world (L201) or its predecessor, Worlds of English (U214).
Some of the language used in this module may be regarded as only suitable for adults. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
Module books, online study guide including embedded audio and video clips, module guide, other printed material, module website.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying E302 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Language and creativity (E302) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2027.
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