Module manager: Dr Marco Condorelli
Email: M.Condorelli@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
Why do we write the way we do and what makes some writing samples more unconventional than others? This module takes a theoretical, systemic and structural approach to answering these questions, offering an MA-level introduction to the English writing system. This module is informed by an up-to-date range of scholarship from across literature, linguistics and writing systems theory, and offers essential knowledge for those wanting to engage with all things writing – from its most creative and stylistic aspect, to its most objective, scientific facet. The module follows three well-defined pathways: 1) understanding writing as a communicative realm (speech vs. writing and the place of English orthography in writing systems theory); 2) establishing key definitions (differences between spelling, orthography, capitalisation, punctuation) and uncovering their history; 3) pursuing experimental goals (understanding how components of English orthography play a role in literature, creative writing, stylistics, book history, psycholinguistics and literacy studies). This module allows students to engage with a wide range of literary and linguistic scholarship and to focus on textual samples of their choice in order to develop their knowledge of theoretical, systemic and structural aspects of the English writing system. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
To engage critically with writing systems literature.
- To allow students to find systematic ways to access English orthography as a system, and to use this knowledge in literary or linguistic projects.
- To allow students to understand research-informed definitions for various units in the English writing system, and how the system works as an organism.
- To develop the ability to identify areas in which knowledge of the English writing system is especially useful, including extra-linguistic disciplines.
- To understand how the English writing system compares to other writing systems used around the world, and to learn about issues which currently remain unresolved in theoretical work on the topic.
Learning activities that will allow students to achieve the objectives above include in-class discussions aimed at understanding conflicting areas in English orthography, such as that on typologies of writing systems; guided analyses of excerpts from historical and contemporary texts; and reflective writing aimed at exploring the relationship between literary studies, linguistics and English orthography.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to
1) Describe how the English writing system plays a role in shaping literature and communicative knowledge.
2) Use correct terminology relating to the English writing system, and some of the principles regulating English orthography.
3) Analyse how the English writing system is used in a range of disciplines, including book/print history, psychology and sociolinguistics.
4) Criticise and evaluate theories on writing systems and their relevance to the English writing system.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to
1. Approach potentially familiar disciplines
2. Apply advanced critical-thinking skills.
3. Compose and evaluate balanced and logical arguments
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 280 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
Students will be asked to submit a written draft (not assessed formally) in response to a number of exercise questions which will be submitted in preparation for a seminar mid-module. Feedback to the written draft will be given during office-hour meetings with the students. An opportunity will be given for students to develop their draft further as part of their formally assessed assignment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team