Course Title: Produce Writings - Writing for Children
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2013
Course Code: COMM5405
Course Title: Produce Writings - Writing for Children
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4171 - Certificate IV in 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
Teacher: Jude Rossell
Email: judith.rossell@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
At RMIT, Produce Writings – Writing for Children is delivered and assessed along with the following competencies:
• CUSRAD01A – Collect and organise information
• CUVCOR03A – Develop, refine and communicate concept
• CUVCOR11A – Source information on history and theory and apply to own work
Course Description
Produce Writings –Writing for Children supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required to write and market material for young children.
You are introduced to the works of various children’s writers and examine the techniques used in writing picture storybooks, junior novels and other forms of fiction and non-fiction materials for children. You also experiment with a range of approaches and techniques while creating your own body of work.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBP552 Produce Writings - Writing for Children |
Element: |
1. Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 The purpose of the work is confirmed with relevant parties |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will have gained insight into the process of writing for children. Through research and practice you will be able to develop an initial concept into a written work for children.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course you learn through -
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’ own projects
• analysis/critique of writings
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.
Consultations
| Week Starting |
Class Content |
Assignments Due |
Competency & Elements |
|
Week 1
|
Explanation of the year’s work and assessment. Discussion of individual project ideas Who are you writing for? Researching your market. |
VBP 552 Analyse purpose of writing task CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory CUVCOR03A Develop concept CUSRAD01A Collect relevant information |
|
Week 2 |
Beginning! – Developing your concept. Character or plot first? Initial writing exercises. |
VBP 552 Investigate the scope of the writing task CUSRAD01A Collect & assess information CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory CUVCOR03A Develop concept |
|
|
Week 3
|
Who is your protagonist? Developing character |
CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory CUSRAD01ACollect and assess information |
|
|
Week 4
|
Plotting your novel.
Common plotting problems and exercises. |
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept VBP 552 Plan writing task CUSRAD01ACollect and assess information |
|
Week 5 |
Who’s telling your story? Exploration of voice and viewpoint |
|
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept VBP 552 Plan writing task CUSRAD01ACollect and assess information |
|
Week 6
|
Where is your novel set? Does it matter? |
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work VBP 552 Create writing task |
|
|
Week 7
|
Whole class workshopping |
|
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work VBP 552 Create writing task |
| Semester break – Friday 29 March to Friday 5 April (inclusive) | |||
|
Week 8
|
Secondary characters – your protagonist can’t do it all on their own | Assessment 2 due |
CUVCOR11A Collect information on own area of work |
|
Week 9
|
Telling your story - when to tell and when to show. Using dialogue - speaking naturally. |
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work VBP 552 Create writing task |
|
|
Week 10
|
Anzac Day - No class |
||
|
Week 11
|
Structure - yes you do need it. Story arcs and rising tension. |
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work VBP 552 Create writing task |
|
|
Week 12
|
Keeping it real - or not? Using our own and other people’s experience. |
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work VBP552 Create writing task |
|
|
Week 13
|
Descriptive writing – Can your readers cope? |
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept VBP552 Create writing task | |
|
Week 14
|
Whole class workshopping |
|
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work VBP552 Create writing task |
|
Week 15
|
Writing a synopsis - what is your novel really about? Exploring theme. |
Assessment 3 due |
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work VBP552 Realise writing task |
|
Week 16
|
Industry speaker (TBA) |
|
CUSRAD01A Communicate information VBP552 Realise writing task |
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Week 1
|
Explanation of the semester’s work and assessment Discussion around timelines Initial writing exercises Introduction to picture books –exploration of format. Looking at the elements of story. What makes a story work. Writing for children and / or the parents? |
VBP 552 Analyse the purpose of the writing task CUVCOR03A Develop concept CUSRAD 01A - Organise & communicate information |
|
|
Week 2
|
Workshopping initial ideas and concepts. Discussion of picture book format. The importance of creatig a dummy. Stages and development of 3-5 year old children in relation to the content of pre-school picture books |
|
VBP 552 Create writing task CUVCOR03A Develop concept CUSRAD 01A - Organise & communicate information |
|
Week 3
|
The character as story Creating characters that readers will care about. Creating characters in 400 words |
VBP 552 Create writing task CUVCOR03A Develop concept CUSRAD 01A - Organise & communicate information |
|
|
Week 4
|
Death, anxiety and pooh. Is anything off-limits? How to find material and how to treat it. |
|
VBP 552 Create writing task CUVCOR03A Develop concept CUSRAD 01A - Organise & communicate information |
|
Week 5 |
The "what if" Pushing, twisting, enlarging and idea. |
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept VBP 552 Create writing task CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory CUSRAD 01A - Organise & communicate information |
|
|
Week 6
|
Writing visually. The illustrated text and picture book. |
|
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept VBP 552 Create writing task |
|
Week 7
|
Playing with language |
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept VBP 552 Create writing task
|
|
|
Week 8
|
Conversations, dialogue and friendship | CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory | |
|
Week 9
|
Middles and ends – structure and balance in picture book texts |
|
CUVCOR03A Develop concept VBP 552Create writing task CUVCOR11A Apply information CUSRAD01A - Organise & communicate information |
|
Week 10
|
Introduction to non fiction |
|
CUVCOR03A Develop concept VBP 552 Analyse purpose and investigate scope of writing task CUVCOR11A Apply information CUSRAD01A - Organise & communicate information |
| Week 11 | Non fiction approaches Guest speaker |
Assessment 5 due | |
| Semester Break 23 Sept - 4 Oct | |||
|
Week 12
|
Workshopping of novels |
|
CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept VBP 552 Analyse purpose and investigate scope of writing task CUVCOR11A Apply information CUSRAD 01A - Organise & communicate information |
| Week 13 | Illustrations in non-fiction | ||
| Week 14 | Review and revision - getting it right | ||
|
Week 15
|
Consultations |
Assessment 6 due | CUVCOR03A Develop & communicate concept CUSRAD 01A Collect,assess and organise information |
|
Week 16
|
Guest editor |
Assessment 7 due |
VBP 552 Analyse purpose and investigate scope of writing task CUSRAD 01A - Organise & communicate information |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Any prescribed material will be provided by the teacher |
References
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
You require access to a computer and to the internet for this course
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
To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
Semester 1.
Assessment Task 1: Read and review a minimum of 4 children’s or YA novels this semester. As you read each book, post a critical response to it on blackboard. (Response needs to be a minimum of 150 words) This works as a starting point for on-line discussion and become a shared resource for the class. The first response needs to be posted by March 7- All posts to be completed by May 31 (10%)
Assessment Task 2: 1,500 words of a novel for children or teenagers. Due April 11 (35%)
Assessment Task 3: 3,000 words of a novel for children or teenagers. Due May 30 (45%)
Semenster 2
Assessment 4: A 10 minute presentation on an aspect of children’s writing or publishing that you have researched. (10%)
The actual presentation to be given on date organised with the teacher.
The presentation should be a detailed examination of an aspect of children’s writing or publishing.
Your presentation should be correctly formatted with references as appropriate and a bibliography.
You may accompany your presentation with appropriate overheads, and should pass around photocopies if using a page of text for their discussion.
Assessment 5: You can choose to submit either:
5.1. A text suitable for publication as a picture book. To be submitted as straight text and as a dummy.
OR
5.2. A further 2000 words of your children’s novel.
Assessment 5 is worth 40% and is to be submitted in class on Thursday September 19
Assessment 6: You can choose to submit either:
6.1. A second text suitable for publication as a picture book or a further 2000 words of your children’s novel. (35%)
OR
6.2 A further 2000 words of your children’s novel
Assessment 6 is worth 40% and is to be submitted on Thursday October 24
Assessment 7:Writing to a brief (10%)
Write a proposal for an article suitable for The School Magazine, following the guidelines put out by the publishers on their website regarding themes, word count, content etc
OR
write a proposal for a junior nonfiction book, also following a publisher’s guidelines. Due Thursday October 31
Assessment tasks in this unit are graded.
To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail
For further information on the criteria used, 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
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
Cover Sheet for Submissions
All students must complete a submission cover sheet for each piece of submitted work.
Plagiarism - RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity
Copyright
All students have access to the myRMIT copyright shell. The myRMIT copyright shell contains information on copyright, plus also examples on how to use copyright works as part of your projects and assignments.
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration/online
Work submitted late without an extension or special consideration will be penalised. See the program website for more details.
Student Progress Committee
This committee promotes the early identification of students who are not achieving acceptable academic performance. The committee provides identified students with assistance and seeks to ensure such students are aware of the range of support services available to them at the University. Student Progress Committee (SPC)
Student Feedback
Students are offered opportunities to provide feedback through a variety of mechanisms including online surveys conducted at the end of each course or semester, student complaints and Student Staff Consultative Committees
Course Overview: Access Course Overview