Writing for Children

Do you want to learn how to write for children? Learn from the experts. This practical course will explore the basic linguistic, stylistic and thematic features that characterise good children’s writing. We will read and evaluate a range of successful contemporary children’s texts for young readers (aged eight to twelve) to uncover the secrets of their success and put those lessons into practice.

Students will read a short book or extracts from a series of books (handouts provided) before each session and experiment with writing a short piece of their own in a similar style or on a related theme.

Each session will involve a critical discussion of the text, and the student’s creative response to it.

The tutor will provide a summary of the approaches demonstrated in the texts each week. This will build towards a comprehensive ‘tool box’ of techniques for students to use in their own practice.

The focus throughout is on how to engage children through accessible writing using comedy, adventure, mystery/intrigue, issue-based stories, fantasy and historical fiction.