DG1S51 - Copywriting 31 Jul 2018 - 01 Sep 2027 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: DG1S51
Module Title: Copywriting
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Fashion, Marketing and Photography
Faculty Sub Group: Marketing
Module Leader: Lee Thomas, Molly Owens
Module Team: Steven Wright, Hollie James, Alexandra Hollyman
First Intended Intake: SEP 2017 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100048 - design
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 31 Jul 2018
Valid To 01 Sep 2027

Module Aims

• Develop your ability to write copy for different advertising formats and for different target audiences, adopting the language, tone and style accordingly
• Introduce appropriate typographic skills and apply this knowledge to a variety of advertising outcomes
• Combine copywriting, typography and image-making within an appropriate creative advertising outcome

Content Summary

Advertising is a word-based form of communication, and the ability to write effective creative copy is one that is always in demand. Whether it’s the pithy headlines and straplines of bus shelter posters or the more engaging essays on the London Underground, being able to write creatively for an advertising campaign is as important – if not more so – than being able to visualise one.

This module allows you to explore and experiment with the creative impact of words, on their own or alongside images.

You’ll be taught by expert writers and presenters from a variety of backgrounds, and be given exercises designed to develop your ability to write concisely and for a range of audiences and scenarios.

You’ll create dialogue and study examples from drama and comedy, improving your skills in grabbing attention, generating interest, building desire and prompting a reaction from the audience.

And to enhance your confidence in presenting to others, you’ll develop a short routine or talk to deliver to a small audience.

Throughout the course of the module you will experiment with different types of writing, and will have portfolio of work by the end of the module.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 8
Project supervision 20
Supervised time in studio/workshop 20
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 52
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Analyse the use of copy, dialogue, plot, voice, character development and brand voice essence in historic and contemporary advertising campaigns.
LO2 Write effectively for a range of media, appropriate to a specific professional context and adapted accordingly to the type of message, medium and audience.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Visual Journal 1 Analysis of a range of advertisements and other formats (e.g. social media, earned media, moving image commercials and short films, print, OOH, short and long copy).Your journal is the place to let loose your opinions on advertising messages you’ve seen, no matter what the medium. 0 1200 30 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 An individual portfolio of writing, comprised of a number of assignments throughout the semester. This is an opportunity to write for a variety of media and audiences, and a place for experimentation, as well as an opportunity for you to find your ‘voice’. 0 N/A 70 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Visual Journal 1
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Gettins, D. (2006). How To Write Great Copy : Learn The Unwritten Rules Of Copywriting. 2nd Edn. London: Kogan Page.

Gladwell (2000) The Tipping Point. London: Abacus

Goddard, A. And Beard, A. (2002). The Language Of Advertising : Written Texts. 2nd Edn. London: Routledge.

Hopkins (2015) Scientific Advertising: 21 advertising, headline and copywriting techniques, Create Space Independent Publishing Platform

Horberry & Lingwood (2014) Read Me.: 10 Lessons for Writing Great Copy, Laurence King

Kane, J. (2011). A Type Primer. 2nd Edn. London: Laurence King.

Kirkwood (2014) How To Write Comedy: Discover the building blocks of sketches, jokes and sitcoms - and make them work, How To Books

Knight, C. And Glaser, J. (2005). Layout : Making It Fit. Gloucester, Mass.: Rockport

Lupton, E. (2010). Thinking With Type : A Critical Guide For Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students. 2 Rev Edn. New York: Princeton Architectural.

Maslen (2009) Write To Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Great Copywriting, Marshall Cavendish

Maslen (2010) The Copywriting Sourcebook: How to Write Better Copy, Faster - For Everything from Ads to Websites, Marshall Cavendish

Samara, T. (2010). The Designer's Graphic Stew : Visual Ingredients, Techniques, And Layout Recipes For Graphic Designers. Beverly, Mass: Rockport.

Shaw (2012) Copywriting: Successful Writing for Design, Advertising and Marketing, Laurence King

Sugarman (2006) The Adweek Copywriting Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Powerful Advertising and Marketing Copy from One of America's Top Copywriters, Wiley