Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Short Story

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: COMM5412

Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Short Story

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 Ania Walwicz
Phone: 03 99254525
Email: ania.walwicz@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

At RMIT, Refine writing and editing – Short Story 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

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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 apply your findings to your own writing through the development of a concept into a completed work.

Course Description

 In this course you explore the short story format through reading,  textual analysis, class discussion and through exploring approaches to creative writing.  You analyse and discuss the works of many different short story writers and experiment with a range of approaches, techniques and modes of writing while creating your own body of work.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Short Story

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 short story.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course you learn through -

In-class activities:
• classroom-based lectures
• creative writing exercises
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• class readings
• workshopping of students’ own projects


Out-of-class activities:
• independent writing and reading
• 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 Starting Class Content Competencies and Elements
SEMESTER 1  
Week 1 
Introduction of course. Discussion of content and assessment requirements,

- Reading published work done by the students
- Discussion and reflection on the work studied

CUSADM03A - Determine scope of projects
VBP553 Determine and organise resource requirements for work
CUVCOR04A – Interpret the brief
Week 2
- Simple Narrative

-Examining explicit forms of narrative
-Looking at minimal means of construction
CUVCOR04A – Interpret the brief
CUSADM03A - Determine scope of projects
CUECOR01B - Personal time management skills
CUSRAD02A - Clarify and confirm purpose of
research
Week 3
Complex narrative

- Reading complicated storytelling
- Examining devious modes of writing

VBP 553 – Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
CUVCOR 13A - Research history and theory
CUVDES05A - Liaise with others over the brief
CUVCOR04A - Research concept ideas
Week 4
- Intimate storytelling

-Material that develops a close contact with the reader
-Evocative writing & how it is achieved

VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings / Plan the writing
Week 5
American tradition

-Examining a tradition and mode
-Reflecting on the elements & modes and their application

CUSADM03A - Develop a plan for the limited project
VBP 553 - Plan the writing
VBP553 - Determine and organise resource requirements for work
CUECOR01B - Develop personal time management skills
Week 6
- Southern Gothic

-Exaggeration and its effects in narrative
- Altered states in storytelling

VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
Week 7
Story from “NewYorker”

- Contemporary material
- Reflection on approaches and their application

VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback
Week 8
Reference to science

- Current works dealing with ecology
- Investigative, provocative writing


CUVCOR04A - Research concept ideas
Provide information in appropriate format
CUECOR01B - Develop personal time management skills
Week 9

Essay form as story

- The use of essay format in literary production
- Reflective thought as storytelling
CUVCOR 13A Researc history and theory
CUVCOR 13A – Link research to artistic practice
VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
Week 10
- Microfiction

-New literary formats
- Brief stories and their context


CUVCOR04A - Adjust and refine concept
VBP553 - Plan the writing
CUSADM03A - monitor project
Week 11

- Microfiction

-New literary formats
- Brief stories and their context

VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
VBP553 - Plan the writing
     
Week 12
English short story

- Storytelling and cultural tradition
- Reflection on approaches and tactics
VBP553 - Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media
Week 13
- European tradition

- Historical influence on literary work

- Retrospective revival of modes of storytelling

CUVCOR04A - Adjust and refine concept
VBP553 - Plan the writing
CUVCOR04A – Interpret the brief
Week 14
- South American story

-Reflection on convoluted text
- Use of dream material
CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback
Week 15
Italian short story

-Theatrical storytelling
-Dramatic approaches
VBP553 - Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media
Week 16
Workshshopping of student work CUVCOR13A - Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice
CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information
Week 17 Assessment Week - no classes  
SEMESTER 2  
 Week 1
 Expressive storytelling

-Emotive instigation of literature
-Examination of strategies of empathy & identification

 CUSADM03A - Monitor project
CUECOR01B - Manage own learning
VBP553 - Realise writings
 Week 2
 Recent literary magazines

- Contemporaneous material
- -Reflection on content, form, fashion
 VBP553 - Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media
 Week 3

Popular short story

-What makes literature desirable?
- Discussion of reception of literature in society
 CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice
 Week 4
Recent short story publications

-Observing and reflecting upon recent literature
- Noting approaches and directions of the work
 
 CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
CUVDES05A - Liaise with client
 Week 5
Short story and film

- Looking at material that lead to film
- Story translated into the cinematic image
 
 CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback
CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
 Week 6
 Wokshopping of student work  CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice VBP553 Realise writings
 Week 7
Compilation of short stories

-Observing short story publications
-Group anthologies , individual works, themes
 
 CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
CUECOR01B - Manage own learning
 Week 8
Character in short story

-The creation of singular personage within the short story form
-Idea for direct and indirect construction of character
 
 CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice
VBP553 - Realise writings
 Week 9
Storytelling as record

- Looking at story as testimony, oral history, revelation
- How can we construct such forms
 
 CUVCOR13A - Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice
CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information
VBP553 - Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media
 Week 10
Contemporary history

- How is history recorded in current stories
- Hiow can we write about the historical process 
 CUVCOR13A - Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice
CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information
VBP553 - Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media
CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback
CUECOR01B - Manage own learning
 Week 11
 Exploration of setting

-Placing storytelling within a particular environment
- Placing a story within an exciting context
 CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice
VBP 553 - Plan the writing
 Week 12
Entertaining the reader

- Questions of what the reader longs for
- Escape, transformation , placation and how can we provide that
 
 CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback
CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
 Week 13
10 Oct
 Short story as newspaper publication

-Use of literary form as feature writing

-Our views and observations
 CUSADM03A - Review project against plan
VBP553 - Realise writings
 Week 14
Animal stories

-The literary tradition of writing about animals
- Indirect, symbolic meanings , the use of the animal
As a metaphor
 
 CUVDES05A - Complete the production of the work
VBP553 - Realise writings
CUVCOR13A - Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice
 Week 15
Erotic writing

- Examining the tradition of erotic writing in historical context
- Considering the elements of erotic story
 
 CUVCOR13A - Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice
CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information
 Week 16
Workshopping of student work   CUVCOR13A - Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice
CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information
Week 17 Assessment Week - no classes  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

All prescribed material will be provided in class.


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

Semester 1
1. Short Story 1
Short Story of 2,500 words (can comprise smaller works in sum 2,500 words) Due 27/3/2012 (20%)

2. Short Story 2
Short Story of 2,500 words (can comprise smaller works in sum 2,500 words) Due 15/5/2012(20%)

3. Workshopping
Workshopping your writing from draft to finished piece (5%)

Semester 2

4 Review -  A review of a short story presented in a written form-500 words - Due  7/8/2012. (10%)

5. Short Story 3
Short Story of 2,500 words (can comprise smaller works in sum 2,500 words) Due 7/8/2012  (20%)

6. Short Story 4
Short Story of 2,500 words (can comprise smaller works in sum 2,500 words) Due 23/10/2012 (20%)

7. Workshopping
Workshopping your writing from draft to finished piece (5%)


Grades used in this unit are as follows:
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail


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

Submission of Assessment Tasks
You are required to submit all written assessment tasks in hard copy with a completed School of Media and Communication cover sheet. You are expected to keep a copy of all assignments submitted.

Late Submissions
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension before that due date.
Please refer to the course blackboard site for information on late submissions and on applying for an extension.

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

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is about the honest presentation of your academic work. Presenting work that fails to acknowledge other people’s work within yours can compromise academic integrity. For further information on academic integrity and plagiarism, please refer to the following URL. http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kkc202lwe1yv

Special Consideration Policy
Please refer to the following URL for information on applying for special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1


Course Overview: Access Course Overview