Course Title: Write simple stories
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2017
Course Code: COMM5910C
Course Title: Write simple stories
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6088 - Advanced Diploma of Screenwriting
Course Contact: Program administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368
Course Contact Email: brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Noel Maloney
Phone: 9925 4307
Email: noel.maloney@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 30
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
Write Simple Stories is taught within the course Storytelling, which is made up of two competencies Write Simple Stories and Write Extended Stories. Strong storytelling is an essential component of screenwriting and the competency Write SImple Stories delivers the skills, craft and knowledge required to write short stories.
This competency Write Simple Stories (CUFWRT302A) is delivered and assessed with Write Extended Stories (CUFWRT402A)
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFWRT302A Write simple stories |
Element: |
1. Clarify storytelling requirements. |
Performance Criteria: |
1. Discuss with relevant personnel storytelling briefs, including target audience, format , timelines and delivery platforms 2. Identify purpose of dialogue, characters, point of view and setting to help structure storylines 3. Discuss with relevant personnel possible visual and aural storytelling structures that would meet the requirements of briefs |
Element: |
2. Prepare to write stories. |
Performance Criteria: |
4. Research stories from a range of creative works that may inspire story ideas that meet requirements of briefs 5. Use information sources to research subject areas 6. Experiment with linear and non-linear storyline structures 7. Use imagination to develop ideas for characters, plots and settings 8. Develop ideas for scenarios, contexts and situations in which characters act, react and resolve 9. Select story structure and content that best meet requirements of briefs 10. Seek feedback from relevant personnel on proposed story and refine approach as required |
Element: |
3. Draft stories. |
Performance Criteria: |
11. Use a creative writing style appropriate to specified stories 12. Use tools to draft stories 13. Use correct grammar, appropriate punctuation and accurate spelling 14. Proofread copy to check for spelling, grammatical, typographic and other errors 15. Submit draft stories to relevant personnel for feedback and amend as required |
Element: |
4. Refine stories. |
Performance Criteria: |
16. Participate in the testing of stories in line with agreed criteria 17. Discuss and confirm with relevant personnel additional requirements or modifications to stories 18. Complete necessary amendments within agreed timelines |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to use both linear and non-linear structures to write simple and extended stories,. You will build your understanding and overview of the history and importance of storytelling.
Details of Learning Activities
You will learn through:
1. In-class activities:
- lectures
- industry speakers
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- peer teaching and class presentations
- group discussion
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- reading of excerpts of writings and set texts to provide examples of writing elements
- workshopping of students’ stories
- analysis/critique of writings of students’ choice
2. Out-of-class activities:
- independent project based work
- writing and reading assignments
- online and other research
- independent study
Teaching Schedule
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.
Week | Class Content | Assessment Due | Competency and Elements |
1 |
Introduction to Storytelling. Explanation of course content and overview of assessment. |
CUFWRT302A - 1 CUFWRT402A - 1 |
|
2 |
Sourcing: Ordinary Things Reading: Tim Winton, Henry Lawson Story Structure: Beginnings |
CUFWRT302A - 1, 2 |
|
3 |
Sourcing: Fairy Tales |
CUFWRT302A – 1, 2 |
|
4 |
Sourcing: Fairy Tales (cont’d) Reading: Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella Story Structure: Inciting incidents Story workshops |
Write Simple Stories, Assessment 1: Workshopping |
CUFWRT302A – 1, 2, |
5 |
Sourcing: Tragedy Reading: Aristotle, Aristophanes, E M Forster, Linda Aronson Story Structure: Conflict Story workshops |
Write a Simple Story, Assessment 1: Workshopping | CUFWRT302A – 1, 2, 3 |
6 |
Sourcing: Myth Reading: Joseph Campbell, Christopher Vogler Story Structure: Climax Story workshops |
Write a Simple Story, Assessment 1: Workshopping | CUFWRT302A - 1, 2, 3 CUFWRT402A 2, 3, 4 |
7 |
Sourcing: Allegory |
Write a Simple Story, Assessment 1: Workshopping | CUFWRT302A |
8 | Sourcing: Place Viewing: North By Northwest Story Structure: Emplacement Story workshops |
Write a Simple Story Assessment 1: Workshopping |
CUFWRT302A - 1, 2, 3, 4 |
9 |
The Moth Sourcing: Objects |
Write an Extended Story
|
CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3, 4 |
10 |
Sourcing: Travel Extended Story Structure: Time, Analysis Reading: Helen Garner, Lisa Dethridge Story workshops |
Write an Extended Story |
CUFWRT402A - 2, 3 |
Mid-semester break: no classes on Friday 14 April through to Friday 21 April inclusive. | |||
11 |
Sourcing: Time |
Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Tell a story |
CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3 |
12 |
Sourcing: the fantastic Extended Story Structure: Set-up, Payoff, Antagonists Reading: Life and Death in the Southside Pavilion, Peter Carey Story workshop |
Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Tell a story |
CUFWRT402A - |
13
|
Extended Story Structure: Mystery, Suspense, Irony Reading: Robert McKee Story workshops |
Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Tell a story |
CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3 |
14 |
Sourcing: Imagery Extended Story Structure: Upping the Stakes Stories for feature film Reading: Barbara Baynton Story workshops |
Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Tell a story |
CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3 |
15 |
Action, Stillness Extended Story Structure: Sub-text, suspension of action Reading: Colm Toíbín, Adrian Martin Story workshops |
Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Tell a story |
CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3 |
16 |
Extended Story Structure: Framing, POV, Story about Story |
Write an Extended Story Assessment 2 Due: Redrafted story |
CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
The Storytelling Course Reader 2014 will be available at the beginning of the semester both in hard copy and as a digital copy on blackboard. |
References
Extracts, readings and additional references are provided throughout the course. In addition to hard copy handouts, some readings are made available on Blackboard, and others can be accessed via the web. Recommended books will be discussed in class. You are advised to visit Blackboard for ongoing updated information |
Other Resources
Students will require access to a word processing program and the facility to print hard copies of stories for workshopping. These facilities are available in the Carlton Library.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, workshopping, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete all of the following pieces of assessments to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment (refer to Blackboard for assessment criteria).
CUFWRT302A Write a Simple Story
For the assessment, you will write a story of between 1500 and 2000 words, present it for workshopping in class and develop it into a final version. The subject of your story will be ‘tempt’.
Assessment 1: Workshop a Story. Dates to be scheduled (Weeks 4–8).
Workshop dates are to be confirmed with your teacher early on in the semester. One week before the workshop date, email your story to your teacher for distribution to the whole class. Your story will then be workshopped in class, through a structured feedback process facilitated by the teacher, and undertaken to agreed guidelines.
Assessment 2: Redraft a Story. Due: Wed 12 April
For this assessment, you will present a 2000-word redraft of your first story that incorporates the feedback you received in the workshop, and further develops its themes, plot, characters, language and ideas. You will also submit 200-word statement that reflects on the story’s development.
CUFWRT402A Write an Extended Story
In this unit you will be challenged to tell and write stories that integrate character with theme and plot in greater depth, and also experiment with structure. For the assessment, you will write a story of between 2000 and 2500 words, present it for workshopping in class and develop it into a final version. The subject of your story will be ‘lose’.
Assessment 1: Tell a Story. Dates to be scheduled (Weeks 11–15).
For this assessment, you will tell a story to class. You story will take between five and ten minutes to tell.
Dates are to be confirmed with your teacher early on in the semester.
Your story will then be workshopped in class, through a structured feedback process facilitated by the teacher.
Assessment 2: Redraft Story. Due: Wed 31 May
For this assessment, you will present a 2000 to 2500 word written version of the story you told to class. It will incorporate the feedback you received in the workshop, and will further develops its themes, plot, characters, language and ideas. You will also submit 200-word statement that reflects on the story’s development.
Once you have demonstrated competency, your final stories in both units will be graded (refer to Blackboard for grading rubric).
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
- 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
For further information on the assessment and grading criteria, please refer to the course blackboard site.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in 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: http://www1.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.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/acadprogress
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.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kehn9bz22r41
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