EL7020 - Professional Practice: Writing in an Industry Context

What will I learn on this module?

This module focuses on the workings of the writing industry, aiming to provide you with an awareness of the knowledge required of a practitioner working in that industry. On successful completion of the module you will have gained an ability to edit work, write effectively within your chosen genre, and undertake research which allows you to understand the requirements of writing agencies and publishers. Guest speakers will give you an inside view of the writing industry. You will have an opportunity to meet writers, agents, publishers and other industry professionals. This will give you knowledge and insight that you can utilise to develop your own career in the industry.

How will I learn on this module?

Seminars
The module is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, creative writing exercises, writing workshops, tutorials, and directed learning. The lectures will supply information about, and an understanding of, the world of publishing and broadcasting while structured workshops will develop editing skills. Guest speakers who work in the industry will help you to develop an understanding of how to position your writing within the contemporary literary landscape. The seminars allow you to gain practical writing experience, to discuss the issues raised in the lecture and to further analyse and discuss key assigned texts. You will be expected to write regularly in class and in your own time in response to exercises designed to stimulate and teach the craft of writing. These practical activities will be informed by detailed critical analysis and group discussion of examples of good practice taken from the works of published writers.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will receive support from the module tutor, and can also seek support from the programme director and your guidance tutor.
Advice and support will be provided in lectures, seminars and individual tutorials and through tutor and peer feedback in groups on the development of creative and critical projects. You will also have access to specialised services provided by central university departments and close and effective links have been developed with student’s services, the career service, the library and information services and the students union. You are encouraged to meet and discuss their work outside the module.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of practice within the writing industry.

2. Demonstrate a practical understanding of the processes involved in editing one’s own and others’ writing.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Demonstrate research skills appropriate to level 7 study of this subject.

4. Write effectively within you chosen genre.


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Sensitivity and effectiveness when giving and receiving critical feedback in a group context.

How will I be assessed?

Formative feedback is offered in two individual half hour tutorials as well as through feedback in seminars and written feedback on draft materials. MLO 5

Summative assessment involves the writing of a portfolio made up of 5,000 words of prose or equivalent plus a 1,000-word commentary. MLO 1-4

1,000 words of prose will be treated as equivalent to 5 pages of script or 40 lines of poetry.

Feedback on summative work will be delivered according to the existing protocols of the Department of Humanities: all assessments are anonymized and moderated with feedback (with comments on feedback sheets) returned to the student with the final moderated grade. Feedback will encourage and facilitate reflective learning through the feedback sheet grid which pinpoints particular areas of strengths/weakness and the narrative comments which encourage students to consider how they have succeeded and how they can improve.

MLO 1-4

Feedback on summative work will be delivered according to the existing protocols of the Department of Humanities: all assessments are anonymized and moderated with feedback (with comments on feedback sheets) returned to the student with the final moderated grade. Feedback will encourage and facilitate reflective learning through the feedback sheet grid which pinpoints particular areas of strengths/weakness and the narrative comments which encourage students to consider how they have succeeded and how they can improve.

Pre-requisite(s)

none

Co-requisite(s)

none

Module abstract

Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.

Course info

Credits 30

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years part-time
1 other options available

Department Humanities

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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