Module Information

Module Identifier

TFM7530

Module Title

Writing for Soap

Academic Year

2014/2015

Co-ordinator

Mrs Lucy Penelope Gough

Semester

Semester 2

Course Delivery

Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Lecture	4 x 8 hour lecture/workshop sessions
Seminars / Tutorials	1 x 1 hour personal tutorial

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Half a full-length episode script and scene-by-scene document	70%
Semester Assessment	Collaborative story-lining and 300 word self-assessment	30%
Supplementary Assessment	Half a full-length episode script and Scene by Scene document	70%
Supplementary Assessment	600 word self-assessment of process	30%

Aims

This module gives students the opportunity to explore the world of writing for soap. While soap is included within most postgraduate scriptwriting courses, this module is unique in that it focuses solely on this genre.

Brief description

Content

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Application of Number	Not assessed or developed
Communication	The ability to communicate ideas within the professional environment is key; this is assessed in the ‘collaborative story-lining’ component, which will be assessed by the tutor throughout that process within the classroom.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Students are expected to drive their own learning and to develop their own unique creative approaches; this will be assessed by the scene-by-scene document and script.
Information Technology	Students will be required to make full use of the library facilities and master internet research and computer-based script formats which are usual within the industry. Their submission should be to industry standards.
Personal Development and Career planning	This will be discussed over the course of the module, and is addresses specifically in the introduction.
Problem solving	This element is not assessed directly, however all scriptwriting involves problem solving: what type of character will best convey a particular theme? What plot devices will most effectively propel the story to the next plot point? The effectiveness with which the author has solved problems is evident in the quality of the finished product.
Research skills	The storyline and scene-by-scene document will reflect the student’s ability to view long-form drama with a critical eye. They will have to apply this knowledge to make informed decisions about their own work.
Subject Specific Skills
Team work	Students will have the opportunity to access and give feedback on each other’s work, this is particularly relevant with the collaborative story-lining element of the module.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Aritstotle (1996) Poetics Penguin Primo search Curry, Chris (2002) Writing for Soap A & C Black Primo search Pennels, A and C. Cooper (2011) UK Soap Opera Script Writing Handbook Kindle Primo search Sophocles (1984) Three Theban Plays Penguin Primo search Thompson, Chris (2011) Writing Soaps: How to write popular continuing drama Abergele: Aber Publishing Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7