ENGL6116 Writing for Children and Young People
Module Overview
This module covers the essential elements of writing for children and young people. It is a practical module that will look at a range of texts from picture books to novels for teenagers. It will cover the essential elements of writing quality fiction and drama for children and young people, including understanding audiences and age ranges, writing openings and endings, character development, plot, language and style.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the process of writing a novel or script for children or young people
- the role of agents and editors in the publishing industry and the routes towards publication
- a range of contemporary works for children and young people and the stylistic and structural devices employed by their authors
- the qualities of a successful work for children or young people
- the marketplace, target audiences, and age ranges for specific works
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- evaluate and offer constructive criticism on the work of your fellow students
- look critically at your own work in order to edit it and rewrite it as necessary to achieve a professional standard
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- write fiction/drama for particular age-groups of children and young people
- plan, structure, edit and improve your work
- confidently present your work to small groups of your peers
- give and receive constructive criticism
- analyse and understand a range of texts for children and young people
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- written a complete short story, script or opening of a novel or script for children
- written a synopsis of your work in progress and a covering letter to a potential agent, producer or publisher
Syllabus
Writing exercises used during the module and the discussion in classes will provide you with potential starting points, foundations and guidance for your writing. You will be required to bring your work in progress to seminars and present it to small groups of your peers for constructive criticism and feedback. The tutor will also give you feedback on your work in progress to assist you in editing and improving it prior to finally submitting it. The taught module and visits by experts and practitioners in the field will provide you with insight into and understanding of the business of writing for children and young people. Reading of and beyond the suggested list of texts for the module will give a firm foundation and broad understanding of the subject.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
This module will make use of weekly seminars and opportunities for individual discussion of your work with the tutor. Learning activities include individual study, research and writing, group writing exercises in seminars, and presentation of your work in draft to your tutor and seminar group for feedback prior to final submission. Innovative features of this module include visits and talks by writers for children and young people, a visit by a children’s librarian, and feedback and guidance on your work from a published writer.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Teaching | 20 |
| Independent Study | 130 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Frank Cottrell Boyce (2004). Millions.
Melvin Burgess (1997). Junk.
Louis Sachar (2000). Holes.
Barry Turner (2004). The Writer’s Handbook Guide To Writing for Children.
Eva Ibbotson, (2007). The Secret Countess.
Malorie Blackman (2001). Noughts and Crosses.
Beverley Naidoo (2000). The Other Side of Truth.
Meg Rosoff (2004). How I Live Now.
Francis Spufford (2002). The Child That Books Built.
Louise Jordan (2007). How To Write for Children: And Get Published.
Anthony Horowitz (2000). Stormbreaker.
Assessment
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Critical commentary (1000 words) | 25% |
| Written assignment (4000 words) | 75% |
Referral
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Resubmit assessments | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal