WRITING AND REWRITING FOR TRANSLATORS - 2021/2
Module code: TRAM504
Module Overview
This module focuses on the intricate relationship between writing and translation through the practicalities of text production within a broad writing context (i.e. from fiction prose to technical text production), with a view to making translators aware of the basic elements required to create an effective text. It will combine weekly theoretical lectures with workshops to read and discuss students’ work as well as rewriting and revising techniques.
Module provider
School of Literature and Languages
Module Leader
GUERBEROF-ARENAS Ana (Lit & Langs)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 11
Independent Learning Hours: 128
Captured Content: 11
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
n/a
Module content
Indicative content includes:
• Communication and text general characteristics (coherence)
• Composition: paragraph, sentences and their relation (elements of cohesion in a document)
• Planning and organizing content
• Textual structures or modes of discourse: Narration; Exposition, Argumentation and Persuasion
• Rewriting for different audiences
• Punctuation and punctuation variation depending on language
• Dialogic texts: elements of orality and performativity
• Style, lexical richness, figurative language, register and linguistic varieties
• Using tools and resources to assist in writing
• Self-revising and revising the work of others
• Editing for publishing
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Portfolio of item(s) consisting of written work (1-2 selected piece(s) - 1,000 words) | 40 |
| Coursework | Creative piece with commentary (1,500 words) | 60 |
Alternative Assessment
n/a
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:
- Development of writing skills for different contexts and audiences
- Development of revising and editing skills
- Development of an initial idea to create a story
- Understanding of source text analysis for translation
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Portfolio of item(s) consisting of 1-2 creative piece(s) (1,000 words)
- Creative piece and commentary (1,500 words)
Formative assessment
- Portfolio consisting of written work produced throughout the semester
Feedback
Verbal feedback in class, written and/or oral feedback on prepared written work and class exercises
Module aims
- To know about textual elements, structures and linguistic norms
- To develop writing skills in different genres having different audiences/cultures in mind
- To revise students’ own writing in a critical and systematic manner to rewrite and create the best possible version of a text
- To have the foundations to revise other people’s work in a systematic and constructive manner using predefined criteria
- To engage with existing computer tools and resources that aid in the writing/translating process
- To build confidence in presenting creative work in a group setting
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Write in a variety of forms/genres for different audiences, mediums, and languages | KPT |
| 002 | Reflect in a productive and critically-informed fashion on students’ own writing | C |
| 003 | Provide feedback to peers in a productive and critically-informed fashion | KPT |
| 004 | Contribute to workshop sessions in a sensitive, lucid, thoughtful and supportive manner | P |
| 005 | Gain awareness of the relationship between writing and translation | KP |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
• Develop students’ writing skills in creative and technical writing (prose fiction, poetry, opinion pieces, marketing or instruction material) by understanding the fundamental elements to create an effective text.
• The module is designed to help students understand the textual elements, to reflect on them and to gain confidence to create well-formed and clear texts with a view to enhancing their translation work.
The learning and teaching methods include:
• Lectures will be interspersed with opportunities for group and whole class discussions (1 hour per week x 11 weeks)
• Workshops will consist of reading, analizing, writing and revising proposed material (1 hour per week x 11 weeks).
• Contact hours will be complemented with materials and activities for guided study posted on SurreyLearn (8 hours)
• Students are expected to read outside classes and to prepare texts for workshops in advance (120 hours)
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: TRAM504
Other information
n/a
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translation MA | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Translation and Interpreting MA | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Translation and Interpreting Studies MRes | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.