ENMWL-This Writing Life: Get Published, Keep Going

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Ms Shelley Harris
Email: shelley.harris@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module equips you to produce a range of writing which presents your work to agents and editors (e.g. pitch letters, synopses) and provides options for supporting yourself financially as a working writer (e.g. book reviews, first-person journalism). It encourages you to set this writing in its critical and industrial context, and will facilitate contact with publishing industry professionals. Your summative portfolio will showcase a range of original writing, accompanied by a reflective essay.

Aims:

• To introduce students to the writing techniques necessary for submitting work to the publishing industry.


• To introduce students to a range of writing techniques which support a career as a working writer.


• To facilitate links with publishing professionals.


• To encourage students to evaluate their own writing in the context of current developments in the creative industries.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be expected to:

• Produce a range of writing involved in the submission of work for publication.


• Produce a range of writing suitable as paid content.


• Demonstrate knowledge of the industrial context of such writing.


• Analyse and evaluate their own work in the light of their literary and industrial knowledge.

Additional outcomes:

The module will encourage students to develop their oral communication skills through discussions in seminars, think critically both within and across disciplines, and make connections between their academic studies and an industrial context.

With its strong industrial focus, this module offers students the chance to improve their employability.

Outline content:

The exact contents of the module will be settled in discussion with the students enrolled so as to take account of their particular interests in this large and open field, as well as developments in the creative industries and the opportunity to hear particular guest speakers. The module’s primary materials will vary from year to year, and student to student.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module consists of ten weekly seminars, each two hours in length. Each seminar will involve the reading and writing of publishing-focused texts and texts suitable as paid content, as well as consideration of the industrial context in which such texts are produced and read. The module tutor will also be available for consultation with students on a one-to-one basis to discuss their work and the progress of the module as a whole.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		20
Tutorials		1
Guided independent study:
Other		179
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	30
Portfolio	70

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The summative assessment will consist of a single portfolio containing persuasive writing such as (but not limited to): pitch letters, synopses, book blurbs, journalism and nonfiction writing, together totalling 4500 words. In addition, an accompanying essay of 1500 words will evaluate this original writing with reference to its literary and industrial context.

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback on written drafts.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023