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Call out for: GCSE English Literature Resource Development Commissions

Published Tue 10 Jul 2018 - By Literature Wales
Call out for: GCSE English Literature Resource Development Commissions
Gwyneth Lewis

CREW – Swansea University and Literature Wales are pleased to announce 15 commissions of new resources for teachers of WJEC GCSE English Literature. These will be available to download for free and publicised widely over their two year lifespan with the possibility of extended use. The intention is to support teachers who in turn are guiding pupils in the study of Welsh literature and writers.

Please note these resources are not endorsed by, or associated with WJEC in any way.

Each resource will focus on one of the 15 poems selected by WJEC for the 2018-2020 syllabus, chosen from the Library of Wales anthology Poetry 1900-2000: One Hundred Poets from Wales. These are:

Jugged Hare  Jean Earle (p.126)

Antonia’s Story  Owen Sheers (p. 856)

A True Story  Owen Sheers (p.857) 

Eclipse  Owen Sheers (p.858)

A Marriage R S Thomas (p. 151) [Already commissioned]

Advice on Adultery  Gwyneth Lewis (p.781)

From His Coy Mistress  Deryn Rees-Jones (p.829)

Goodbye  Alun Lewis (p.179)

Toast  Sheenagh Pugh (p.692)

Wild Cherry  Nigel Jenkins (p.661)

Epithalamion  Dannie Abse (p.305)

Not Adlestrop  Dannie Abse (p.314)

My Box  Gillian Clarke (p.480)

The Bride Chest  Eiluned Lewis (p.38)

Ship’s Sirens  Eiluned Lewis (p.39)

 

Each resource will take the form of a short helpsheet for teachers, designed and typeset by us and intended to support lesson planning. A model helpsheet based on A Marriage  RS Thomas (p.151) has been created to help guide the format and style.

Commissioned contents include:

  • A 250 word context and/or biography of the poet. The context could be historical, cultural, social and ideally highlight any Welsh dimensions.  Where a biography is more appropriate, please see the biographies of the poets already published in the Library of Wales anthology and avoid repetition except where relevant to the poem.
  • A detailed analysis of the poem (with line references). This piece MUST be clear, concise and well-structured and no more than two pages (see model).
  • A short 300 word summary comments on the poem
  • A photo of the poet with permission from the writer and photographer to use it for this purpose.
  • Any other relevant images (i.e. relating to subject matter such as landscapes) with permission from the photographer to use it for this purpose
  • Hyperlinks to other reputable online discourse on the poem, suitable for GCSE pupils
  • Three or four suggested questions that teachers could ask pupils ask about the poem
  • Three or four suggested questions to ask the poet (or an expert on the poet) about their poetry (we will endeavour to film a short interview and reading with each and publish these online).

Total length: Approximately 2,500 words
Fee per commission:
£165 (including vat)
Deadline:
first drafts by 31 August, with a view to publication in first week in September.


Applicants must have a strong knowledge of the literary context and discourse around each poem/poet they are applying to work on, and have (or be working towards) a Doctoral degree or equivalent experience in the relevant field.

To apply, please email the following to k.bohata@swansea.ac.uk by Monday 23 July 2018:

  • A covering letter clearly outlining:
  1. Your name and address
  2. The poem/s you are applying to work on
  3. Why you are qualified to work on it/them – substantiate your knowledge of the literary context and discourse around each poem and poet
  • A sample/s of your literary critical analysis not exceeding two sides of A4 paper

If you are unsure if you are eligible to apply, or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Professor Kirsti Bohata, Director, CREW at k.bohata@swansea.ac.uk.

This commission comprises a pilot for further resource development, aimed at increasing the uptake of Welsh poetry and poems within schools, and in turn interest in Welsh literature.

CREW (Centre for Research into the English Literature and Language of Wales) is the international leader in this field of literary and cultural study, based in Swansea University. Literature Wales is the national company for the development of literature in Wales, core-funded by Art Council of Wales.