Studying at York
Writing Middle Grade Fiction - CED00224C
- Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
- Module co-ordinator: Miss Daisy Johnson
- Credit value: 10 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
Module summary
This module will introduce students to the world of middle-grade fiction, a lively and distinct area of children's literary publishing which is intended for readers aged between eight and twelve years old (approximately!). In this module we shall learn about how middle-grade fiction works, what the term actually means in practice, and how we can apply the lessons from popular and canonical texts in our own work. Alongside this we shall discuss the roles and responsibility of the author and how to write with an awareness of the intended age group.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Summer Term 2023-24 |
Module aims
This module will provide an introduction to writing middle grade children’s fiction. Middle grade (MG), a term derived from the US, generally refers to children’s literature for readers who are between the age of eight and twelve years old. Participants will learn how middle grade differs from other readerships within children’s literature, such as picture books or Young Adult literature, and develop strategies to make their own creative work stand out in a vibrant and lively area of publishing. We shall read and discuss key middle grade titles, both present day and historic, and figure out how they work. Alongside this, we will consider the role of the author in terms of writing for this age group and discuss our own creative practice in light of these responsibilities.
Module learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify some of the key characteristics of middle grade fiction along with its rules and expectations
- Recognise how their own creative work fits into the current market place for middle grade fiction within the UK
- Explore the works of key authors of middle grade fiction, and recognise their impact of their work within children’s literature.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of young readers and how to apply this in their own writing.
- Reference wider reading in creative and critical writing about children’s literature.
Module content
Indicative content
- What is middle grade fiction and how is it different from things like YA, New Adult etc.
- Classic texts and understanding your position in history
- Choosing (and understanding) genre
- Finding your voice and making it stand out
- How to build a plot and make it relevant to your reader
- Considering style; how to tell your story
- How to edit and rewrite (and kill your darlings)
- How to break the rules and play with expectation
- How to deal with setbacks and challenges
- The role of the author in writing for this age group
- Thinking professionally as an author and understanding the marketplace
Assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Creative portfolio/reflective account |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Creative portfolio/reflective account |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.
The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.
Indicative reading
- Beauvais, Clementine. Complete Writing for Children Course. Teach Yourself. 2014
- Bloomsbury. Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook. Current Year
- Cottrell-Boyce, Frank. Millions. Macmillan. 2004.
- Dassu, A. M. Fight Back. Scholastic. 2022.
- Pearce, Philippa. Tom’s Midnight Garden. Oxford University Press. 1958.