Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
WL20120
Module Title
Exploring Professional Writing
Academic Year
2020/2021
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Assignment 1  A portfolio of 2,500 words containing a review (1000 words) and a piece of journalistic writing (1500 words). A choice of three items/events will be given for each component.   40%
Semester Assessment Assignment 2  A formal proposal of 2,500 words for either an event aimed at local businesses or the local authority, or a funding proposal to secure funding for an arts/heritage project. A choice of three scenarios will be given.  60%
Supplementary Assessment Assignment 1  A portfolio of 2,500 words containing a review (1000 words) and a piece of journalistic writing (1500 words). A choice of three items/events will be given for each component.  40%
Supplementary Assessment Assignment 2  A formal proposal of 2,500 words for either an event aimed at local businesses or the local authority, or a funding proposal to secure funding for an arts/heritage project. A choice of three scenarios will be given.  60%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an ability to adapt their writing styles to different modes of professional writing.

2. Demonstrate an increased knowledge, and critical understanding, of the conventions and requirements of submitting work for publication.

3. Demonstrate, via assignments and in-group discussion, evidence of continuing reflection on their employability and skill in various modes of writing.


4. Produce work that demonstrates wide reading and a sound understanding of the professional writing environment.

5. Demonstrate, by the revision of work previously presented in workshops, an ability to improve their writing in response to feedback from peers and tutors.

Brief description

This module allows students to explore different forms of professional writing. It encourages students to think broadly about career opportunities upon completion of an undergraduate English or Creative Writing degree, exploring ways of using writing skills to develop a portfolio of commercial writing, reviewing, journalism and editing. The module is designed to introduce students to a variety of professional environments and the specific techniques required for each through a series of seminars, workshops and practical exercises.

Content

Each fortnight of the module will focus on a particular professional writing environment. Students will be introduced to key themes and techniques for each and then asked to develop and practice their skills in a series of exercises and workshops. Peer feedback and talks by appropriate visiting professionals will form a key part of learning on this module.

Week 1. Introduction

Students will be encouraged to consider and examine the skills they are developing in their degree schemes and to plan the steps they might take to improve their position in a crowded professional marketplace. This session will also introduce the principle of using different styles for various modes of professional writing, from blogs to reports to query letters, and students will experiment changing their tone for a variety of readers.

Week 2 & 3. Journalism and Blogging

​These sessions will consider a range of journalistic writing styles, from those appropriate to local and national news, to science and entertainment coverage, to podcasts, ‘listicles’, and other light forms of popular online writing. Students will experiment with various forms of articles to find a medium that suits their skills and interests.

Week 4 & 5. Writing Articles and Reviews

Reviewing can be an easy and rewarding way to build up a professional portfolio. Through using social media to share reviews, it can lead to various professional writing opportunities. This session will look at how to write engaging reviews for a popular audience, from finding the right voice to using humour. It will explore different avenues for publishing reviews, from setting up an independent blog to working with an established reviewing team. Students will be asked to review an event or genre of their choice.


Week 6 & 7. Writing for Business


These sessions will instruct students on how to use their writing skills in a business environment. It will look at the conventions and techniques of writing successful proposals for events and funding, reports, letters and emails. The skills learnt in this session will directly relate to the second assignment of the module.


Week 8 & 9. Understanding the Creative Industries

In these sessions, students will learn how to understand and identify trends in the fiction and non-fiction market, in comics, zines, and writing for the gaming industry. By analysing patterns and having a keen awareness of the reading public’s current interests, students will become better able to identify their place in the market. Students will be asked to research recent trends in a genre of their choice.

Week 10. Contracts, Promotion and Marketing
The final session will discuss the process of publishing, from managing the contract to promotion and marketing. Considering self-publishing, e-publishing and traditional routes, this session will encourage creative thinking on how to attract potential readers. By looking at public readings, blog tours, press releases and curating a social media presence, students will generate ideas on how best to promote their work.


Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number
Communication Oral communication in seminar discussions and workshop feedback. Written communication in workshop tasks and assignments.
Improving own Learning and Performance Responding to the feedback of peers and the tutor to improve writing skills. Demonstrating the ability to undertake independent research and for focused reading of relevant texts.
Information Technology Word-processing required for workshop tasks and assignments, as well as digital resources for research.
Personal Development and Career planning Word-processing required for workshop tasks and assignments, as well as digital resources for research.
Problem solving Analyzing and employing the skills to write in a professional context. Planning and developing workshop tasks and assignments.
Research skills Demonstrating an ability to write in a professional capacity, to prepare work for submission, and to research the surrounding publishing industry.
Subject Specific Skills Practical proficiency in creative writing; revision and editing. Close reading of set texts and supplementary sources. Ability to research publishing markets and examples of professional writing.
Team work Group discussion in seminars and peer feedback in response to workshop tasks.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5