139244

Writing for the Public

A course in writing non-fiction genres for the public, informed by a broad historical understanding of the emergence of the public sphere and its current reshaping in the digital age. Students apply rhetorical theory and theories of argument in their own writing and in analysing works by selected public intellectuals.

Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

139244

Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

200-level

Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

15

Subject

English

Course planning information

Course notes

Students must pass the analysis and project to pass the course.

Prerequisite courses

Complete first
230100 or 230111 or 119155 or 247155 or 119177 or 219100 or 192102 or 247177

You need to complete the above course or courses before moving onto this one.

General progression requirements

You must complete at least 45 credits from 100-level before enrolling in 200-level courses.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Debate the role of writing and argument in the Western liberal democratic tradition, and in political challenges to this tradition.
  • 2 Analyse rhetoric, argument, and style in the work of selected public intellectuals, in particular public genres, and in their own writing and the writing of their peers.
  • 3 Use contemporary examples of the non-fiction essay and related genres as guides and models for their own writing and analysis.
  • 4 Produce an evidence-based, closely reasoned argument suited to a particular publishing context and designed for a broad public audience.
  • 5 Constructively peer review other students’ work and revise and edit their own writing.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Written Assignment 1 2 3 30%
Written Assignment 1 2 3 4 5 40%
Portfolio 1 2 3 30%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

There are no set texts for this course.