Module Descriptors
PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO
ENGL50570
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 5
40 credits
Contact
Leader: Stephen Hollyman
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 96
Independent Study Hours: 304
Total Learning Hours: 400
Assessment
  • WRITER/CRITIC DIGITAL ARTIFACT - 2000 WORDS weighted at 25%
  • FUTURE SELF ASSIGNMENT - 1500 WORDS weighted at 25%
  • PORTFOLIO - 3500 WORDS weighted at 50%
Module Details
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively.

2. Evaluate different approaches to solving problems in professions which employ the skills gained on an English Literature and Creative Writing degree .

3. Demonstrate research skills in acquiring knowledge of the skills and attributes necessary for accessing and working in the creative industries role.

4. Demonstrate the necessary skills for applying and being interviewed for a professional role.

5. Develop transferable digital communication skills appropriate to the creative industries and other workplaces.
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
The digital artifact (2000 words) can be a website, e-zine, podcast, youtube channel or something similar that gives you the chance to present your creative/critical writing to a larger audience and curate a professional writerly/critical identity. It will assess, Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 5.

The Future Self assignment (1500 word equivalent) – CV, professional role report (500 words) and mock interview. Learning Outcomes 3 and 4.


The Portfolio will include 3500 words (or equivalent) of your writing. This could be one long piece or up to three shorter pieces. It will assess Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Through practice-led workshops we will explore the process of writing and re-writing and advanced editing techniques. You will learn how to turn unexceptional sentences into fine writing, line by line and page by page. The drafting process will be discussed using a variety of texts at various stages of completion which have been selected by the module tutor. We will look at how to source outlets for publication and how to market your work effectively. A variety of media will be considered: such as Print, Performance & Digital outlets. The Future Self element of the module will focus on professional roles appropriate for writers and English Lit graduates, the skills and attributes needed, routes into industry and the skills needed to be a successful applicant.
WEB DESCRIPTOR
Get ready to apply your English and Creative Writing skills e in this exciting, practice-led module which walks you through the editorial process from first draft to final publication. Work on live, authentic projects and learn what it takes to publish either your own work or the work of others. Find out about the roles open to you in the creative industries and beyond.
TEXTS
Browne, Renni and King, David: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers (Harper Collins, 2006)
Keeble, R.: 'The Newspaper Handbook' (London Routledge, 1994)
Marek, Richard and Gunther, Irene. Editing Fact and Fiction: A Concise Guide to Book Editing (Cambridge University Press, 1994)
Seidman, Michael: The Complete Guide to Editing Your Fiction (Writers Digest Books, 2002)
Truss, Lynne: 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves' (Harper Collins, 2009)
Wood, James. How Fiction Works (Vintage, 2009)

The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook 2025 (Bloomsbury, London), 2024

https://discovercreative.careers/

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/creative-arts-and-design/creative-jobs

The Creative Industries Journal. Taylor and Francis.

Hartley, John (2005). Creative Industries. Oxford: Blackwell.

LEARNING STRATEGIES
Consisting of lectures and workshops , this practice and employability-based module will support your development as a professional in the creative and writing industries . One of the principles underlying this module is the belief that a careful process of editing and re-editing is necessary in order to elevate and transform work into a publishable standard. The skills learned here can be related and/or transferred to a variety of different roles within and beyond the creative industries.
RESOURCES
Library and VLE