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ENG-10068 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

ENG-10068 - Becoming a Critic
Coordinator: Jonathon Shears Tel: +44 1782 7 33014
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

N/A

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2025/26

How do you craft a compelling university essay, analyse a literary text, and put criticism to use? How can you interpret a work within its historical context, or apply literary theory to it? Through studying a wide range of texts, from novels such as Wuthering Heights, to Renaissance tragedy, to the poetry of Toni Morrison, you'll develop essential skills for academic reading and writing. This module will enhance your appreciation of literature and prepare you for advanced study throughout your degree.

Aims
To develop students' ability in the close analysis of different types of literature
To develop skills in researching and annotating literary texts
To develop knowledge of historical and theoretical frameworks for understanding literature
To develop essay research and planning skills
To impart research skills (use of library, electronic resources, etc.)
To introduce students to essential techniques and conventions in presenting ideas in writing, including correct citation and referencing

Intended Learning Outcomes

assess a wide variety of sources (including electronic ones) as part of the practice of research: 2,3
demonstrate skills in close reading and textual annotation: 1
demonstrate competence in academic writing and express themselves in clear and grammatical written English: 2,3
demonstrate comprehension of key components of essay writing: 2
demonstrate knowledge of the conventions of academic citation: 2,3

Study hours

24 hours lectures
24 hours seminars
200 hours class preparation
2 hours assessment consultation
50 hours assessment preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Exercise weighted 30%
Annotation Exercise
Students will produce an annotated copy of an extract from one of the primary texts on the module that shows their critical engagement with key formal features and an understanding of content. There should be at least 5 annotations.

2: Class Test weighted 40%
In-class quizzes
Students will take 4 class tests throughout the year. These tests will allow students to demonstrate understanding of the primary texts, historical and theoretical contexts, as well as their comprehension of key skills in essay writing and research practice. The class tests will be based on short answers.

3: Group Assessment weighted 30%
Annotated Bibliography
This is a group assessment. Students will work in small groups to produce a bibliography of critical material with accompanying annotations in formal English that explain key features of the content for an academic audience. Each student will contribute entries of 500 words.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025