TWO ITEMS OF WORK, 1 per semester:

1. 50% (LO 1, 2) A Portfolio of written work that may typically include such items as:
A) Formative writing exercises (1000 - 1500 words per student);
B) EITHER a complete short script for a film/radio or TV programme (7 - 10 pages/equivalent to 1000 -1500 words) OR a complete short story (1500 - 2000 words)

2. 50% (LO 2, 3, 4) A Portfolio of creative writing work that may typically include:
A) A further draft of the script or story produced in semester 1, corrected and developed, along with its adaptation into another narrative form (1000-1500 words or equivalent 7-10 pages of script); an Evaluation of the lessons learnt from the above exercise (300 - 500 words)
B) A Scriptwriter's Notebook containing creative writing in 3 different modes and including connecting material (visual material, photographs, snippets, reflections, quotes, newspaper clippings, etc.) (1500 - 2500 words)

Key Information Set:
100% Coursework

In Semester 1, this module is a foundation course in writing for the media. It deals in broad terms with all aspects of writing in the modern world, from tabloid newspaper and TV Soap to literary novel and feature film. It is equally concerned with creative, technical and theoretical aspects. It is also designed to foster, at an early stage, an appreciation of the vital importance of editorial work, proof-reading and redrafting. It is also concerned with language usage in the modern context. Topics covered include:
-Writing styles/formal conventions in different media; narrative in the news
-Language in the modern world
-Basic editorial skills (proof-reading, re-writing, polishing)
-The message - cultural/social/philosophical approaches and analysis
-Screenwriting basics - visual storytelling/juxtaposition of images/tool for propaganda/silent film/the place of dialogue in screenwriting/story and plot/setting/structure/characterisation
-Familiarisation with various script formats (film, TV, Radio, documentary script, news report)
-The basics of prose narrative style
-Ideas, themes, approaches (how to recognise and develop ideas)

Semester 2 is designed to strengthen and develop three essential aspects of the scriptwriter's craft: editorial skills, adaptability and creativity. There are two strands to the work of Semester 2: first, to continue the work begun in Semester 1 by assessing the mistakes made in that work, then working to fix those mistakes, then adapting the work to some other form (script to story or poem/story to script or radio play, etc.).
Following a mid-term peer-review session, the second strand is to provide an opportunity to continue to develop a writing 'voice' by experimenting with different ideas and forms that may not fit into any of the other Level 4 scriptwriting modules. This is an exercise in creativity, and the use of a creative notebook for storing ideas.

Alvarez A (2006): The Writer's Voice, Bloomsbury
Bell & Motion (2001): The Creative Writing Coursebook, Macmillan Reference
Browne &King (2004): Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Harper
Cowgill L (1997): Writing Short Films, Lone Eagle
Crook T(1999): Radio Drama, Routledge
Field S (1984): Screenplay, DTP
Forster E M (1927): Aspects of the Novel, Penguin Classics
George E (2004): Write Away, HarperCollins
Keeble, R (1994): The Newspaper Handbook, London Routledge
Koestler A (1990): The Act of Creation, Penguin
Lodge D (2003): Consciousness and the Novel, Penguin
Lodge D (1992): The Art of Fiction, Penguin
May R (1994): The Courage to Create, W.W.Norton & Co
McKee R (1999): Story, Methuen
Rabiger M (2003): Directing - film technique and aesthetics, Focal Press
Truss L (2003): Eats, Shoots & Leaves, Profile Books

Blackboard access for Handouts, Articles and Exercises, library and online resources.

In Semester 1 the module is delivered by weekly seminar sessions which will cover the essential areas and provide a familiarity with media genres through lectures, set exercises, group discussion and independent learning. There will be seminar presentations of various media artefacts with reference to their writing; a group project to produce a magazine; formal exercises in creative and technical aspects of scriptwriting; formal exercises in prose writing; exercises in presentation of ideas; creative thinking/ideas workshops/'pitching' ideas to class. All seminar exercises will be supported by Blackboard.
In Semester 2, there is an increased emphasis on independent learning, student contribution to classes and peer feedback sessions. There will also be greater opportunities for individual tutorials to provide in-depth review of work-in-progress. Exercises and tasks will be set with the aim of fostering creative thinking and self-driven study. Students will, at intervals, present not only their module work-in-progress but also their own independent learning to the workshop groups.

Key Information Set:
Learning & Teaching: 16% scheduled activities
84% guided independent learning.