Discourse on Crafting a Creative Thesis: A Conversation with Edric Huang Class of 2018
Edric Huang's Creative Writing Journey: A Poetic Exploration
Edric Huang, a senior in the Anthropology Department with certificates in Urban Studies and Creative Writing, is embarking on a unique academic journey. This year, he is writing two theses — one traditional research-based and the other a collection of poems for his Creative Writing Certificate.
Huang's poetry is a creative expression that reflects his personal interests and inspirations. He often mentions sources of inspiration, such as specific poets, songs, or experiences, at the beginning of his poems. His work explores themes like superstitions and hauntings, particularly those from Chinese folk superstitions, and patterns of migration.
The process of writing a creative thesis in Creative Writing typically involves choosing an engaging and manageable topic, conducting research appropriate to the creative genre, and integrating that research into the development of the creative work alongside reflective or analytical components. For Huang, this process would likely emphasize iterative topic selection, brainstorming, and focused research, combining creative exploration with academic rigor.
The initial stage, topic selection and prewriting, involves narrowing broad ideas into a focused research question or thematic concern. Huang sets limits on his research time to avoid getting too engrossed and forgetting to write his poems. He conducts research for his poetry by paying attention to minute details, looking at how other poets write about certain topics, and researching the topics he wants to write about.
For creative writing theses, research may blend literary analysis, historical or cultural context gathering, and fieldwork or personal exploration related to the theme or form of the creative work. Huang free-writes by spewing out lines onto a Word document with his computer screen dimmed out. He edits his work minimally, focusing on each word having gravity and saying as much as possible about the poem.
A clear focus or thesis statement emerges from the prewriting phase, guiding the creative project’s scope and research. Huang's poetry thesis will serve as a personal growth opportunity and a starting point for him. The thesis statement would likely reflect both the creative intent and its academic context.
The creative thesis often includes a creative component (e.g., a manuscript, collection of poems) accompanied by an analytical or reflective essay that situates the creative work within relevant research and theory. This part explains the research methods, topic rationale, and the creative decisions made throughout the project.
Resources like the McGraw Center and the Writing Center can provide research and writing tips, while the Lewis Center offers classes for those interested in creative writing. Edric Huang is not alone in this journey; undergraduates like Adrian Tasistro-Hart '17 and Teri Tillman '16 have completed research projects in the past.
After graduation, Huang hopes to continue writing, editing, and revisiting the topics he's been thinking about for the past three years. He encourages fellow writers to explore their creative process, find what works best for them, and not be afraid to seek advice from a Peer Arts Advisor.
The blog Archives on the website contains conversations with undergraduate researchers, providing insights into the experiences and challenges of those who have walked this path before. Huang's poetry thesis is a testament to the blend of creativity and academia, a journey that reflects his personal growth and passion for storytelling.
[1] https://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handbook/thesis/creative.html [2] https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/creative-writing-thesis-guide [4] https://www.nyu.edu/media/nyu/documents/content/butler/academics/undergraduate/creative-writing/creative-writing-thesis-guidelines.pdf [5] https://writingcenter.uchicago.edu/ucw/creative-writing-thesis-guide/
- Edric Huang's senior thesis in Creative Writing is an independent work that combines creative exploration with academic rigor, serving as a personal growth opportunity and a starting point for him.
2.In the process of writing his creative thesis, Edric Huang conducts research by paying attention to minute details, looking at how other poets write about certain topics, and researching the topics he wants to write about.
3.The creative thesis written by Edric Huang for his Creative Writing Certificate will likely include a collection of poems accompanied by an analytical or reflective essay that situates the creative work within relevant research and theory.
