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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LLLC2288 Writing for Children

20 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Rebecca Stirrup
Email: r.j.stirrup@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students will have an interest in developing an original piece of creative writing, aimed at children or young adults.

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module explores methods and theories of writing for children. You will be shown three key age-ranges (picture books for the under-5s, middle grade fiction for the 8-12s and Young Adult fiction for 14+ readers) and will be expected to try out writing techniques within each category. You will be asked to consider genre and suitable content and language for these. As with all creative writing modules you will share work with your peers, and receive and give feedback. In parallel with this, you will consider changes in published children’s literature. Thus you will develop technical creative writing skills and culturally critical skills whilst learning about the world of contemporary children’s literature.The module is assessed wholly by coursework and requires your active and regular participation in writing exercises and workshop discussions of your own and your fellow students' work-in-progress.For further information contact Rebecca Stirrup: r.j.stirrup@leeds.ac.uk

Objectives

On completion of this module students will:
- have a sharpened awareness of the historical development of writing for children
- be able to identify a range of age-specific genres designated under ‘writing for children’ and have experimented with suitable writing techniques for the following: picture book, middle grade (8-12) and young adult (14 +) fiction
- have researched cultural roles and the presentation of child characters to child readers that have altered noticeably in the last fifty years (for example, race, disability or gender of characters in leading roles)
- have developed critical reading skills in relation to work by published authors, to work by other students, and by extension to their own writing
- have gained practical experience of producing writing in a variety of styles for children.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Critically evaluate children’s literature, and place it within an historical context;
2. Critically assess and comment upon the work of others, including that of published authors;
3. Identify who the gatekeepers of children’s literature are (agents, publishers, librarians, teachers, parents and carers);
4. Understand the commonly used age categories and what material might be expected within these (subject matter, language use and length);
5. Develop their own writing for children;
6. Approach re-drafting their own work both structurally and at a more detailed editorial level, giving thought to language and vocabulary and a style suitable for their preferred age of reader;
7. Produce clear, artistically coherent and technically accurate creative work;
8. Use language in an affective and intricate fashion.

Skills outcomes
The ability to understand critical and creative approaches to literary culture in children’s literature. To be able to write creatively and apply editorial critiquing approaches to one’s own writing.


Syllabus

This module examines the genres of Writing for Children from a range of critical and creative perspectives. Beginning with definitions and historical development, students will be asked to consider the role of children’s literature within contemporary society. This will lead to an evaluation of children’s literature, its traditional parameters, and the ways in which writers can work outside the prescribed boundaries. The module will also look at the value and appeal of children’s literature within contemporary society and the issues surrounding it. These topics will be explored across a variety of mediums.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Seminar112.0022.00
Private study hours178.00
Total Contact hours22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Private Study Hours
Reading: 58
Writing: 70 hours
Research: 50

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be given multiple opportunities for formative feedback throughout the module via peer review and regular tutor feedback on work in progress.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2,000 words30.00
PracticalExample of creative work developed from course work, e.g. either: prose: 3,000 words; or poetry: 60 lines; or script: 24-minutes; or other to be negotiated with the tutor; or an appropriate combination of two or more of these, plus 1000- word contextual commentary & annotated bibliography70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 21/04/2017

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