Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Non-fiction

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

Course Code: COMM5409

Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Non-fiction

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5181 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact : Professional Writing and Editing 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: Ms Diane Morrissey
Email: di.morrissey@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 85

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

Refine Writing and Editing – Non-fiction Project  is delivered and assessed along with the following competencies.
CUVCOR04A - Originate concept for own work and conduct critical discourse
CUVCOR13A - Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform artistic practice
CUECOR01B - Manage own work and learning
CUSADM03A - Manage a project
CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
CUSRAD02A - Conduct Research


Through the development of these competencies, you gain the skills needed to manage your work and learning while responding to a range of project briefs. You research the work of other writers and publishers and apply your findings to our own writing through the development of a concept into a written project.

Course Description

This unit covers the knowledge and skills required to research and experiment with writing and editing techniques and media to generate writings. It explores the skills required to produce a major non-fiction project and to develop a greater understanding of target audiences, publishers’ expectations and the marketplace.                             


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Non-fiction

Element:

1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media   

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The potential for new approaches to writing based on the capabilities of techniques already used are evaluated
1.2 New techniques are selected, adapted and introduced for the achievement of different effects
1.3 The capabilities of writing techniques are extended through experimentation to inform practice 1.4 Relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners are researched, adapted and used with consideration of intellectual property, moral rights and copyright requirements

Element:

2. Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings

Performance Criteria:

2.1 A conceptual vision for writings are developed based on a knowledge and understanding of different writing techniques 2.2 The criteria for selecting techniques are considered based on results of experimentation 2.3 The criteria which are most likely to facilitate the achievement of the conceptual vision are established 2.4 The approach to work which meets established criteria is selected 2.5 The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experimentation and analysis of writing techniques

Element:

3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work

Performance Criteria:

3.1 The specific resource requirements which arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches are assessed
3.2 Potential sources of supply of writing resources are researched and accessed
3.3 Constraints that may impact on the development of work are evaluated

Element:

4. Plan the writing

Performance Criteria:

4.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work and to meet agreed timelines 4.2 Ideas are organised and developed into an ordered sequence of scenes 4.3 All resources required to deliver the writing task are organised 4.4 A timeline for the completion of the writing task that reflects the critical milestones is determined

Element:

5. Realise writings                              

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Writings are realised using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision 5.2 The potential for changes in the use of techniques are evaluated and responded to 5.3 The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experiences with the production of writings 5.4 Issues of design and presentation of writings are considered and appropriate actions taken


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to develop a concept into a longer piece of non-fiction writing


Details of Learning Activities

In this course you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
•industry speakers
•teacher directed group activities/projects
•peer teaching
•group discussion
•workshopping of students’ own projects
•analysis/critique of writings of students’ writing

2. Out-of-class activities:
•independent project based work
•writing and reading assignments
•online and other research
•independent study


Teaching Schedule

Week
Starting
                                                                 Class content                                                                    Assessment due <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" />
Elements
  SEMESTER 1    
Feb 7
Wk 1
Introduction to the course. Explanation of the year’s work and assessment.
Initial writing exercises.
What skills do you need to develop to succeed in this
area (non-fiction projects)? Initial ideas for projects – oral presentation of ideas
 Three minute summary of your intended project and answering related queries

Class presentation on market research
VBP 553 – 3
CUVDES05A - 1
CUVCOR13A - 1
CUVCOR04A – 1
CUSRAD02A - 1
CUSADM03A - 1
CUECOR01B - 1
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Feb 14
Wk 2
 Writing to a brief.
Industry expectations.
Recognising what is and isn’t desirable or possible taking into account all factors – resources/market etc.
Understanding the scope of the work and how it can be managed
 Three minute summary of your intended project and answering related queries

Class presentation on market research
 
VBP 553 – 3
CUVDES05A - 1/2
CUVCOR13A - 1/2
CUVCOR04A – 1/2
CUSRAD02A - 1/2
CUSADM03A - 1
CUECOR01B - 1/2
Feb 21
Wk 3
 Workshopping and Inquiry
Discussion of examples of sources of information
Students will workshop sections of writing from their project and give and receive constructive feedback
Students may use workshop to discuss and solve problems
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 2
CUVDES05A - 2
CUVCOR13A - 1
CUVCOR04A – 1/2
CUSRAD02A - 1/2
CUSADM03A - 1/2
Feb 28
Wk 4
 Researching your market
(Guest lecturer).

   VBP 553 – 2
CUVCOR13A - 1
CUVCOR04A – 2/3
CUSRAD02A - 1/2
CUSADM03A - 2
CUECOR01B -2
Mar 7
Wk 5
 Researching your market
(Guest lecturer)
   
CUVCOR13A -3
CUSADM03A - 1/2

Mar 14
Wk 6
 Recognising the scope of your project
Workshopping and Inquiry
Students will workshop sections of writing from their project and give and receive constructive feedback
Students may use workshop to discuss and solve
Problems
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 4
CUVDES05A - 3
CUVCOR13A - 1
CUVCOR04A – 3
CUSRAD02A - 2
CUSADM03A - 1/2


 Mar 21
Wk 7
 Workshopping and Inquiry
Students will workshop sections of writing from their project and give and receive constructive feedback
Students may use workshop to discuss and solve problems
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 4
CUVCOR13A -  1/2
CUVCOR04A – 3
CUSRAD02A - 3
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
 Mar 28
Wk 8
 Old story new angle – what makes your project
different?
Workshopping and Inquiry
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 4
CUVCOR13A -  1/2
CUVCOR04A – 3
CUSRAD02A - 3
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
 Apr 4
Wk 9
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising

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   VBP 553 – 3/4
CUVCOR13A - 3
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A - 3
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
 Apr 11
Wk 10
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
 2500 words of project  VBP 553 – 3/4
CUVCOR13A - 3
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A - 3
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
 Apr 18
Wk 11
 Research techniques
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 3/4
CUVCOR13A - 3
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A - 3
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3

   Mid-semester break :Thursday 21 April to Wednesday 27 April (inclusive)
   
May 2
Wk 12
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 4/5
CUVCOR13A -3
CUVCOR04A – 3
CUSRAD02A - 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
May 9
Wk 13
  Organising your material
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 4/5
CUVCOR13A -3
CUVCOR04A – 3
CUSRAD02A - 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
May 16
Wk 14
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
 2500 words of project  VBP 553 – 4/5
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUECOR01B -3
May 23
Wk 15
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 4/5
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUECOR01B -3
May 30
Wk 16
 Review of the semester and discussion of work covered in semester 2
Students will complete self-assessment
 Interview about progress of project  VBP 553 – 5
CUVDES05A - 2
CUSADM03A - 3/4
CUECOR01B -2
Jun 6
Wk 17
Assessment Week    
 
 SEMESTER 2
   
July 4 Wk 1
 Individual feedback at scheduled meetings   CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 4
CUECOR01B -3
July11
Wk 2
 Preparation of the publishing proposal
Guest lecturer
 3500 words of project due  VBP 553 – 2
CUVDES05A - 3
CUVCOR13A - 3
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A - 4
CUECOR01B -3
July 18 Wk 3
 Preparation of the publishing proposal
Guest lecturer
 Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings VBP 553 – 2
CUVDES05A - 3
CUVCOR13A - 3
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSRAD02A - 4
CUECOR01B -3
July 25
Wk 4
 Time management – working to a deadline
Students will workshop sections of writing from their project and give and receive constructive feedback
Students may use workshop to discuss and solve problems
Class exercises relating to issues arising
 Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings  VBP 553 – 4/5
CUVCOR04A – 4
CUSADM03A - 3/4
CUECOR01B -2/3
Wk 5 Aug 1
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 5
CUVCOR13A -2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
Wk 6
Aug 8
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 5
CUVCOR13A -2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
Wk 7
Aug 15
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 5
CUVCOR13A -2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
Aug 22 Wk 8
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
  VBP 553 – 5
CUVCOR13A -2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
Aug 29 Wk 9
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
  VBP 553 – 5
CUVCOR13A -2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
Wk 10
Sep 5
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 5
CUVCOR13A -2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
Wk 11
Sep 12
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
   VBP 553 – 5
CUVCOR13A -2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3
Wk 12
Sep 19
 Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.)
Class exercises relating to issues arising
 Publishing proposal due
VBP 553 – 5
CUVCOR13A -2
CUVCOR04A – 3/4
CUSADM03A - 3
CUECOR01B -3

 Mid-Semester Break
   
Wk 13
Oct 10
 Guest Speaker from Industry
Speaker will assess your proposals and come to class to give you individualised feedback
  CUVDES05A - 3
CUVCOR13A - 3
CUVCOR04A – 4
CUSADM03A - 4
CUECOR01B -3
Wk 14
Oct 17
 Guest Speaker from Industry
Speaker will assess your proposals and come to class to give you individualised feedback

   CUVDES05A - 3
CUVCOR13A - 3
CUVCOR04A – 4
CUSADM03A - 4
CUECOR01B -3
Wk 15
Oct 24
 Review of year’s work.
Students will assess their project against their original plans and speak to its development and where they will take it from here.
  3500 words of project due
CUVDES05A - 3
CUVCOR13A - 3
CUVCOR04A – 4
CUSADM03A - 4
CUECOR01B -3
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Wk 16
Nov 1
Melbourne Cup

   
Wk17
Nov 8
 Assessment Week
   


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Any prescribed reading material is 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 series of exercises, workshopping and the development of your a concept into a non-fiction writing project.
 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment 1. Summary of intended project (Not graded)
Three minute summary of your intended project and answering related queries. Due Feb 8 & 15

Assessment 2. Presentation on market research (Not graded)
Class presentation on market research. Due Feb 8 & 15

Assessment 3. 2500 words of project (15%)
Due April 12

Assessment 4. 2500 words of project (15%)
Due May 17

Assessment 5. Interview (not graded)
Interview about progress of project.  Due May 31
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Assessment 6. 3500 words of project (25%)
Due July 12

Assessment 7.Class presentation (not graded)
Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings
Due July 17 & 26.

Assessment 8 Publishing proposal. (20%)
Due September 20

Assessment 9. 3500 words of project (25%)
Due October 25
 


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

Feedback
You will receive spoken and/or written feedback by teacher on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Late Submission
Please refer to the course blackboard site for policy information on late submissions and plagiarism

Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

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:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;

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