Course Title: Produce Writings - Novel

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2008

Course Code: COMM5401

Course Title: Produce Writings - Novel

School: 345T Creative Media

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4171 - Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact : Program Administration Brendan Lee

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368

Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Dr Olga Lorenzo
9925 4058
olga.lorenzo@rmit.edu.au

Toni Jordan
toni.jordan@rmit.edu.au

Dr. Sonia Orchard
sonia.orchard@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 105

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 introduces you to the basic conventions of novel writing. You originate a concept early in first semester and then refine this concept while developing the first draft of a novel. Produce Writings – Novel supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for competent performance as a writer in a range of writing contexts.

The competency Produce Writings – Novel VBP552 is delivered and assessed alongside the following competencies:
CUVCOR03A: Develop, refine and communicate concept for own work
CUVCOR11A: Source information on history and theory and apply to own work
CUSRAD01A: collect and organise information


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBP552 Produce Writings - Novel

Element:

1. Analyse the purpose of the writing task 

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The purpose of the work is confirmed with relevant parties
1.2    The form, media and technique most appropriate to the purpose of the writing task is selected
1.3    The stylistic and cultural context of the writing task is proposed to meet the writing objective

Element:

2. Investigate the scope of the writing task

Performance Criteria:

2.1    The level and scope of the writing task is analysed to determine the length and style of the work
2.2    The level of research required to fulfil the agreed outcome to the required style and standard is analysed
2.3    The resources necessary to retrieve or generate the relevant information is determined
2.4    The type and level of information required to suit the context of the writing task is planned

Element:

3. Plan the writing task

Performance Criteria:

3.1    The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work
3.2    Ideas are organised and developed into an ordered sequence
3.3    All resources required to deliver the writing task are organised
3.4    A timeline for the completion of the writing task that reflects the critical milestones is determined

Element:

4. Create the writing task

Performance Criteria:

4.1    Components of the information required and the form in which the writing will be developed, constructed and presented is resolved
4.2    The intention of the writing task and the characteristics of the audience are reflected in the writing
4.3    Appropriate processes and research are utilised to retrieve the necessary information
4.4    The particular characteristics of the media are analysed to inform the writing in a way that is appropriate for the purpose of the writing
4.5    Relevant information sources are employed to generate and inform the writing task
4.5    Common literary devices and the metaphoric function of language are integrated into the writing task
4.6    Writing task is produced in accordance with writing goals

Element:

5. Realise the writing task

Performance Criteria:

5.1    The writing task is appropriate for the media, the context of the brief and the style of the subject matter
5.2    The language in which the writing task is written is suitable for the intended audience
5.3    The writing task is proofed and edited to the standard required for presentation
5.4    A draft is presented, if required, to the client to confirm that the work is acceptable
5.5    Work is adjusted as required and presented in the agreed manner and timeframe

Learning Outcomes


Not applicable On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to develop the concept for a novel, create and refine a synopsis and begin the first draft of a manuscript.


Details of Learning Activities

Students learn through classroom-based lectures, workshopping, writing exercises, discussion and class presentations. Students are expected to do their own research and writing off-campus.


Teaching Schedule

The following schedule is a rough guide, subject to change depending on class needs.

Semester 1

Week Topic
1 Orientation
2 Introduction
3 Craft elements in the beginnings of novels
4–6 Voice and point of view
7–8 Rhythm and pace
9–11 Show, don’t tell
12–14 Dialogue
15–17 Characterisation
18 Semester review

Semester 2

Week Topic
19 Review
20–21 Sense of place and atmosphere
22 Politics and the novel
23–24
Texts set by teacher
25 Realism, modernism and post-modernism
26–27
Texts set by teacher
28–29 Imagery, metaphor and symbolism
30–31 Texts set by teacher
32–33 Endings
34 Genre
35 Practicalities of selling novels
36 Semester review/ interviews as necessary
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Recommended: Elizabeth George, Write Away, Harper Collins


Other Resources

This will vary according to the teacher.

For Olga Lorenzo
Weeks 1–18:
David Malouf,  Remembering Babylon
Sonya Hartnett, Of a Boy

Weeks 19–36:
Patrick McCabe, The Butcher Boy
Anna Quindlen, One True Thing

For Toni Jordan
Weeks 1-18:
Carrie Tiffany, Everyman’s Rules for Scientific Living
Catherine O’Flynn, What Was Lost

Weeks 19-36:
Chris Womersley, The Low Road
Tan Twan Eng, The Gift of Rain

Texts for other teacher to be informed at first class


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, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.


Assessment Tasks

1. Novel excerpt

A 5000-word excerpt from your novel, including word count, and edited to publishable standard. A (maximum) 500-word synopsis. First 2000 words of manuscript (or 2000 consecutive words of your choice, clearly identified) to be closely assessed and line-edited.

Due dates:
Class no. 1715: Mon. May 12
Class no. 1716: Tues. May 13
Class no. 1717: Fri. May 16

Percentage weight: 40%

2. Presentation

A five-minute presentation on one of the set texts, focusing on a single element of craft.

Note: this is not a book review, a discussion of the themes of the novel or a recounting of the plot. It is a discussion of only one element of craft covered in the teaching schedule above: for example, pace, dialogue or point of view. The presentation should focus on ’what I learned’ about this element of craft while reading this book. Students should take notes while reading.

Due dates:
Class no. 1715: Mon. March 17
Class no. 1716: Tues. March 18
Class no. 1717: Fri. March 14

Percentage weighting: 5%

3. Class participation: Semester 1

Students are expected to participate in class discussions, consistently workshop manuscripts, respond to feedback, provide a positive contribution to the work-in-progress of other students, contribute to an analysis and discussion of set texts, and participate in the writing and discussion of class exercises.

Percentage weight : 5%

4. Novel excerpt

A 5000-word excerpt from your novel, including word count, and edited to publishable standard. A (maximum) 500-word synopsis. First 2000 words of manuscript (or 2000 consecutive words of your choice, clearly identified) to be closely assessed and line-edited.

Due dates:
Class no. 1715: Mon. October 6
Class no. 1716: Tues. October 7
Class no. 1717: Fri. October 10

Percentage weight: 40%

5. Presentation

A five-minute presentation on one of the set texts, focusing on a single element of craft.

Note: this is not a book review, a discussion of the themes of the novel or a recounting of the plot. It is a discussion of only one element of craft covered in the teaching schedule above: for example, pace, dialogue or point of view. The presentation should focus on ’what I learned’ about this element of craft while reading this book. Students should take notes while reading.

Due dates:
Class no. 1715: Mon. August 4
Class no. 1716: Tues. August 5 
Class no. 1717: Fri. August 8 

Percentage weight: 5%

6. Class participation: Semester 2

Students are expected to participate in class discussions, consistently workshop manuscripts, respond to feedback, provide a positive contribution to the work-in-progress of other students, contribute to an analysis and discussion of set texts, and participate in the writing and discussion of class exercises. 

Percentage weighting: 5 %


Assessment Matrix

Not applicable

Other Information


All assessment items must be handed in by due date (to be advised by teacher) unless an extension has been arranged prior to the due date. 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview