LIT325 Writing For Children And Teens (8)

This is a practical workshop in creative writing for young readers. Some familiarity with the range of literary texts produced for children is desirable for students planning to enrol in it. Beginning with research into the current and predicted directions in publishing, workshop participants will write one critical paper on resources currently available for young readers in Australia. Research will include the impact of the digital environment on text types and the role of libraries. As writers they will be encouraged to experiment with genre and reading age, and will be given guidance in group work and as individuals on writing, editing and submitting a manuscript for children and teens. As a class, they will also publish their work on a unique blog and invite feedback from their future readers and customers.

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2022.

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Social Work and Arts

Assumed Knowledge

Familiarity with books for children and teens is desirable, but not a pre-requisite, and need not have been acquired through formal study. Experience in retailing, librarianship, journalism and reviewing, illustration and design, publicity and marketing aimed at children and teens, writing for adults, parenting, teaching or other forms of caring for children would be suitable preparation. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to produce texts for young readers that meet standards for publication
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the current state of children's publishing and retailing
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the differences between the general and the education markets and have attempted to write for both
  • have researched several genres of writing for children and teens and have produced texts for them
  • have learnt to edit their own work and provide constructive feedback on their colleagues' writing
  • have participated in the creation of a blog for young readers, published their work on it and learnt from their readers' feedback
  • have compiled a varied portfolio and learnt how to submit their work for publication
  • be able to discuss the process of writing for children and teens in accessible and logical English

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Researching your market
  • the general trade and the education market
  • Australian publishers and the Bologna children's book fair
  • writing for early childhood readers
  • writing for older readers
  • writing for teens
  • editing and submitting your manuscript
  • children's literature in the digital space

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of LIT325 in Session 2 2021. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Picture book text and positioning statement
50
2
Long form fiction text and pitch
50

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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