Description:

Writing Literature for Children is a continuation of Introduction to Children's Literature aimed primarily at those students interested in writing and publishing literature for children. The students will review children's needs and interests, research topics and collect data for possible books. Then students will write and assemble a variety of children's literature. Students will critique their own work and that of their peers and revise their work accordingly. Finally, students will compose all correspondence typically required by publishers. 3 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify the various types of children's literature.
2. Create a personal idea file for children's stories.
3. Write various types of children's stories, adhering to the modem standards.
4. Revise and edit children's manuscripts.
5. Recognize current trends in children's literature.
6. Apply publishers' market needs to personal interests and abilities.
7. Write letters of introduction and inquiry to a prospective publisher.
8. Arrange and type manuscripts and picture books in the proper format/s.
9. Prepare manuscripts in acceptable form for possible submission to a publisher.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Invention
   A. Identify needs and interests of children at different age levels.
   B. Create an idea file of personal experiences, interests, imaginings.

II. Research
   A. Examine and judge children's books in various genres from a writer's
perspective.
   B. Formulate criteria and guidelines for writing children's literature,
including:
      1. Picture story books
      2. Concept books
      3. ABC and counting books
      4. Animal stories
      5. Folk tales
      6. Rhymes and poetry
      7. Fiction
      8. Fantasy and science fiction
      9. Nonfiction, informational books
   C. Identify topics for writing books and investigate any necessary
information.

III. Writing, Revising and Editing
   A. Create, design, and write three different types of children's books
(from the list above).
   B. Critique and evaluate books created by the other class members.
   C. Revise and edit books based on student and teacher critiques.

IV. Publishing
   A. Use publishers' standards of form to help develop stories from idea
file.
   B. Identify and locate publishers for various types of literature,
including magazine articles and original paperbacks, as well as
traditional book publishers.
   C. Prepare query letters to editors.
   D. Prepare manuscript/s in standard form for submission.
   E. Trace the editorial process and identify specific protocols for
working with an editor.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

20% Writing and revising Book 1
20% Writing and revising Book II
20% Writing and revising Book III
20% Tests and participation, including timely submission of manuscripts
and group critiques.
20% Complete documentation/correspondence for publishing

Basic writing criteria: Complete, concrete, correct, and clear writing is
a requirement for each writing assignment.

All work is graded on a point system and computed into percentages. The
final grade is based on percentage of total points earned at semester's
end.

   90-100%    = A
   80-89%     = B
   70-79%     = C
   60-69%     = D
59% and below = F

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.