Course Title: Write extended stories

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: COMM5911C

Course Title: Write extended stories

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5314 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact: Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925-4815

Course Contact Email: mctafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Lorna Hendry
lorna.hendry@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This course is designed to develop the skills to develop and  apply a range of narrative techniques to develop your writing across a range of contexts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFWRT402A Write extended stories

Element:

1. Analyse extended story writing requirements

Performance Criteria:

  1. Identify the components of a storytelling creative concept, brief or project, including target audience, format, timeline and proposed outcomes
  2. Consider factors such as style, tone and length in relation to purpose of the writing task
  3. Decide on the most appropriate structuring technique for extended story writing tasks
  4. Discuss with relevant personnel possible visual and aural storytelling structures if appropriate to storytelling tasks

Element:

2. Prepare to write extended stories

Performance Criteria:

  1. Research extended and more complex stories from a range of creative works that may inspire story ideas to meet project requirements
  2. Use information sources to research subject areas
  3. Experiment with a range of narrative structures and writing styles and techniques
  4. Develop extended ideas for characters, plots and settings
  5. Develop complex scenarios, contexts and situations as required
  6. Select the story structure, style, techniques and content that best meet the requirements of projects
  7. Seek feedback from relevant personnel on proposed stories and refine approach as required

Element:

3. Draft extended stories

Performance Criteria:

  1. Draft extended stories using appropriate structuring, style and language
  2. Use relevant formatting and presentation techniques
  3. Proofread draft stories for appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling
  4. Submit draft manuscripts to relevant personnel for feedback and amend as required

Element:

4. Write final drafts

Performance Criteria:

  1. Evaluate extended stories in line with relevant criteria
  2. Discuss and confirm with relevant personnel additional requirements or modifications to the story
  3. Complete necessary amendments as required within agreed timelines
  4. Evaluate story writing process, assessing one's own performance and noting areas for future improvement


Learning Outcomes


You will be able to write original projects applying appropriate format and using extended narrative techniques.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will consist of:

  • In-class activities including:
    • Class discussions
    • Class presentations
    • Group work
    • Writing exercises
    • Workshopping
  • Out-of-class activities including:
    • Research
    • Conducting interviews
    • Independent project-based work


Teaching Schedule

Week

 Class content

 Assessments

 1

Getting started

·  Introduction to course

·  Assessment outline

·  Personal introductions via small-group storytelling

·  Four types of writing

·  Elements of narrative

·  How do businesses use stories?

·  What jobs are available for storytellers?

 

Introduction of AT 1: Storytelling

 

2

Storytelling

·  How to find and tell a story

·  Case study: The Moth

·  Classic three-act structure

·  Beginnings, middles and ends

·  What to leave in and what to take out

·  Overcoming nerves about public speaking

 

Activity: Finding your story

 

 3

People matter

·  Writing distinct characters using description, voice, habits, details, anecdotes

·  Characterisation in business writing

 

Group storytelling session (AT 1 delivery)

Introduction of AT 2: Character profile

Assessment Task 1:

Storytelling (group 1)

 4

Looking at the world

·  Interviewing techniques

·  Choosing and using direct quotes

·  Point of view: first, second and third person narratives

·  Observational techniques

·  Writing exercise: character description

 

Group storytelling session (AT 1 delivery)

Assessment Task 1:

Storytelling (group 2)

 5

Making stories interesting

·  Keeping the reader reading – desires, obstacles, suspense, rhythm, pace

·  Different narrative structures

·  Workshopping etiquette

 

Guest speaker: (TBC)

 

Workshopping AT 2: Character profile

Assessment Task 2: 

Character profile (draft)

 6

Show, don’t tell

· Descriptive techniques

· Using details

 

Writing exercise: observation and description

 

Introduction of AT 3: Short story

Assessment Task 2: 

Character profile

 7

Stories for newsletters/blogs/social media

· Basic structure

· Analysing good stories

· Coming up with ideas

 

Stories add value

· Significant Objects project

 

Writing exercise: personal object

Assessment Task 3:

Short story (outline)

 8

Putting stories to work

·  How businesses use stories

·  Writing exercise: finding the ‘story’

 

Guest speaker: (TBC)

 

Feedback on AT 3 outlines

 

 9

Loving language

·  Evocative language

·  Word choices

·  Strong verbs

·  Applying narrative techniques to fiction/memoir/creative non-fiction

 

Workshoppings session 1 AT 3: Short story

Assessment Task 3:

Short story (workshop)

 10

Stories have power

·  Importance of storytelling in our personal lives and our society

 

Workshopping session 2 AT 3: Short story

Assessment Task 3:

Short story (workshop)

Submit by Sunday 17 Sep


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Your teacher will supply you with any other resources either in class or via the Blackboard site.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include:

  • participation in written exercises, in class and online
  • research
  • the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessments to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all your assessment and once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for Assessment Task 3 (refer to Blackboard for assessment criteria and grading rubric).

Assessment Task 1: Storytelling
Due date: Weeks 3 or 4 (in class, 18/19 or 25/26 July 2017)
You will present a 3-4-minute story in class. Your story must be true, from your own life, and told in a compelling way with a clear beginning, middle and end. You may read from a script, use notes or deliver it without prompts.

Assessment Task 2: Character profile
Due date: Week 6 (Sunday 13 August 2017)
You will write a 250-word character profile of a subject of your choice using techniques including description, direct quotes, observation of habits, anecdotes, etc. You must have a draft to workshop in class in Week 5 (1/2 August 2017).

Assessment Task 3: Short story
Due date: Sunday 17 September
You will research and write a 800-1200 word story in a genre/style of your own choice. You could write a newsletter article or blog post, a fictional short story or a creative non-fiction piece. Your story should demonstrate the use of some storytelling techniques. You must submit an outline of your story by Sunday 20 August 2017. You must have a draft to workshop in class in Weeks 9 and/or 10 (29/30 August & 5/6 September 2017).

Once you have demonstrated competency, you final assessment will be graded (refer to Blackboard for grading rubric). Graded assessment in this course uses the following grades:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

Assessment Matrixes are available from the Program Administration.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

How to submit work
Your assessment brief will specify how you should submit your work – as hard copy, digital copy or electronically through Blackboard. When you submit your work, you must include a declaration of authorship. 

For submissions on Blackboard, you need to agree to an assessment declaration when you submit.

For all other submissions, you must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=x3ddsmsrwa1hz

Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. We strongly advise that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

We request that you speak to your teacher if regular attendance becomes difficult.

Assessment feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1

Student progress
Monitoring academic progress is helps us to assist you in achieving your learning potential. 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-progress

Adjustments to assessment
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment

Academic integrity and plagiarism
Academic integrity is about the honest presentation of work that is your own. RMIT University has a clear policy on plagiarism (see web page for more detail).

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Credit Transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview