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2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL1191 Writing Critically

20 creditsClass Size: 270

School of English

Module manager: Dr Jeremy Davies
Email: j.g.h.davies@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

Writing critically is fundamental to English studies. It entails a carefully reflective and questioning approach to ideas, texts, and your own assumptions. Students taking this module will enhance their understanding of the writing process by evaluating and analysing the work of critics and theorists. You will examine the content and structure of argument, and look at how different writers approach topics and texts that are important to English studies. You will put the analysis of these examples into practice in your own critical writing, as you develop your understanding of how to combine knowledge and intellectual skills with the particular technical skills required for essay writing at degree level. You will learn how to read and work with challenging critical texts, how to construct and develop a persuasive critical argument, how to work with academic integrity, how to communicate complex ideas orally and in writing, and how to collaborate with others in seminars and writing workshops.

Learning outcomes
Students will:
- be able to present a structured and coherent argument
- be able to write in an academic style suitable for the discipline
- be able to communicate orally and in writing the results of their research and reading;
- develop a basic knowledge of critical terminology;
- develop critical knowledge and skills;
- develop analytical skills.

Skills outcomes
The development of skills relevant to the discipline of English study and critical analysis


Syllabus

Writing critically is fundamental to English studies. It entails a carefully reflective and questioning approach to ideas, texts, and your own assumptions. Students taking this module will enhance their understanding of the writing process by evaluating and analysing the work of critics and theorists. You will examine the content and structure of argument, and look at how different writers approach topics and texts that are important to English studies. You will put the analysis of these examples into practice in your own critical writing, as you develop your understanding of how to combine knowledge and intellectual skills with the particular technical skills required for essay writing at degree level. You will learn how to read and work with challenging critical texts, how to construct and develop a persuasive critical argument, how to work with academic integrity, how to communicate complex ideas orally and in writing, and how to collaborate with others in seminars and writing workshops.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar101.0010.00
Private study hours179.00
Total Contact hours21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

The module will be taught through weekly seminars (10 x 1 hour) and lectures (11 x 1 hour).

Private study: Preparation for seminars and tutorials; reading and reviewing; drafting and re-drafting of written work.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Contribution to seminars
Feedback on assessed components
Feedback on unassessed components

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Written Work1,000-word comparison of two pieces of critical writing.35.00
Essay2,000-word essay65.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

There are also three unassessed components that are required to complete the module and must be submitted: a portfolio of ten short writing tasks that will be built up during the course of the semester, with a different individual task to be completed each week and uploaded to the VLE; a 500-word outline of an essay, to be submitted with the comparison; and a 500-word critical reflection, to be submitted with the essay in January. The unassessed components are a requirement of the module and MUST be submitted. Students who fail to submit any of the unassessed components will be awarded a maximum mark of 40 for the module (a bare Pass). Students will be provided with detailed guidance for all these tasks, and have to pass every element in order to progress.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/08/2016

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