Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Writing for young adults

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2011

Course Code: COMM5413

Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Writing for young adults

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5181 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact : Mr Brendan Lee

Course Contact Phone: 9925 4368

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


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Ms Cath Crowley
Email: catherine.crowley@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 –Writing for YA 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 project brief. You research the work of other writers and publishers and apply your findings to your own project through the development of a concept into a written work.

Course Description

This course covers the knowledge and skills required to write for young adults. You analyse and discuss a broad range of fiction and non-fiction writing for this audience while developing a concept for your own project. You also experiment with writing and editing techniques in order to write a work that meets the particular needs of a young adult readership.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Writing for young adults

Element:

1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media   

Performance Criteria:

.

Element:

2. Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings

Performance Criteria:

.

Element:

3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work

Performance Criteria:

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Element:

4. Plan the writing

Performance Criteria:

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Element:

5. Realise writings                              

Performance Criteria:

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Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to develop a concept into a written work for young adult readership


    Details of Learning Activities

    In this course you 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’ own projects
    • 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

     Date        Class Content                  
    Assessment       Due Elements 
     Wk1
    Feb 10
     Introduction to the course. Explanation of the year’s work and assessment.    
    CUSADM03A - Determine scope of projects
    VBP553 Determine and organise resource requirements for work
    CUVCOR04A – Interpret the brief
    CUSRAD02A - Clarify and confirm purpose of research
    CUVDES05A - Liaise with others over the brief
    CUVCOR 13A - Research history and theory
     Wk 2
    Feb 17
     The concept of Young Adulthood - reality or marketing myth.
    Initial writing exercises.
    What skills do you need to develop to succeed as a writer?
       
    CUVCOR04A – Interpret the brief
    CUSADM03A - Determine scope of projects
    CUVDES05A - Liaise with others over the brief
    CUECOR01B - Personal time management skills
    CUSRAD02A - Clarify and confirm purpose of research
    VBP553 Determine and organise resource requirements for work
    CUVCOR 13A - Research history and theory
     Wk 3
    Feb 24
     Who writes, Why do they write, What do they write about?
    What interests teenagers - researching your market.
    Beginning! – Developing your concept.
       
    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
     Wk 4
    Mar 3


     Characters - where do they come from?
     Student presentation  VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings / Plan the writing
     Wk 5
    Mar 10
     Plotting your novel.
    Preparing an outline. Looking at the difference between a synopsis and a chapter outline. Plotting exercises.
     Student presentation  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
     Wk 6
    Mar 17
     Who’s telling your story? Exploration of voice and viewpoint  Student presentation  VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
     Wk 7
    Mar 24
     Whole Class Workshopping  All students to bring an extract to workshop  VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
    CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
    CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback
     Wk 8
    Mar 31
     The plot thickens....
    Old story - new design. Exploring different design techniques.
     Student presentation  CUVCOR04A - Research concept ideas
    Provide information in appropriate format
    CUECOR01B - Develop personal time management skills
     Wk 9
     Apr 7
     Mood, Emotion, Atmosphere.
    Guiding the reader’s feelings and responses.
     Student presentation  CUVCOR 13A Researc history and theory
    CUVCOR 13A – Link research to artistic practice
    VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
     Wk 10
     Apr 14
     Structure - yes you do need it.  Student presentation  UVCOR04A - Adjust and refine concept
    VBP553 - Plan the writing
    CUSADM03A - monitor project
      Mid Semester Break
    April 21 - 27 (inclusive)
       
     Wk 11
     Apr 28
     Character development
    Secondary characters - what are they doing?
     Student presentation  VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
    VBP553 - Plan the writing
     Wk 12
      May 5
     Sex and violence – are there any rules?  Student presentation  VBP553 - Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media
     Wk 13
      May 12
     Writing a synopsis - what is your novel really about?  Student presentation  CUVCOR04A - Adjust and refine concept
    VBP553 - Plan the writing
    CUVCOR04A – Interpret the brief
     Wk 14
     May 19
     Whole class workshopping  All students to bring an extract to workshop  CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
    CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback
     Wk 15
     May 26
     Keeping it real - or not? Using our own and other people’s experience.  5,000 words of YA novel due  VBP553 - Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media
     Wk 16
    June 2
     Industry Speaker  Student presentation  CUVCOR13A - Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice
    CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information
     Wk 17
    June 9
     Assessment Week    
      SEMESTER 2     
    Wk 1
    Jul 7
     Stuck in the middle?
    Recapturing early excitement and fulfilling promise
    Conflict, opposition and suspense.
     Student presentation  CUSADM03A - monitor project
    CUECOR01B - Manage own learning
    VBP553 - Realise writings
    Wk 2
    Jul 14
     Managing interior monologues  Student presentation  VBP553 - Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media
    Wk 3
    Jul 21
     YA genre fiction - what’s around?
    The popularity of speculative fiction
     Student presentation  CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice
    Wk 4
    Jul 28
     Reviewing YA fiction  Student presentation  
    Week 4 CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
    CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
    CUVDES05A - Liaise with client
    Wk 5
    Aug 4
     Whole class workshopping  Student presentation  CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
    CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback
    CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
     Wk 6
    Aug11
     Show don’t tell or Show and tell?  Student presentation  CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice VBP553 Realise writings
    Wk 7
    Aug18
     Non-fiction for YA  Student presentation  CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
    CUECOR01B - Manage own learning
    Wk 8
    Aug 25
     Mainstream v series fiction – How popular do you want to be?  Student presentation Article due  CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice
    VBP553 - Realise writings
     Wk 9
    Sep 1
     Writing for television  Student presentation  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
    Wk 10
    Sep 8
     Descriptive writing – Can your readers cope?  Student presentation  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
    Wk 11
    Sep15
     Short stories / Picture books / Graphic Novels for Young Adults  Student presentation  CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice
    VBP 553 - Plan the writing
    Wk 12
    Sep 22
     Whole class workshopping  All students to bring an extract to workshop  CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse
    CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback
    CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
      Mid Semester Break
    Sep 26 to Oct 7 (inclusive)
       
    Wk 13
    Oct 13
     The drafting process
    • How many drafts?
    • Editing and polishing - When is enough really enough?
    Chapter outlines – do they help?
     Student presentation  CUSADM03A - Review project against plan
    VBP553 - Realise writings
     Wk 14
    Oct 20
     Submitting your manuscript
     Which publisher?
     How to write a covering letter
    Contracts
    Workshopping and individual consultations to help with last minute problems
     Student presentation  CUVDES05A - Complete the production of the work
    VBP553 - Realise writings
    CUVCOR13A - Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice
     Wk 15
    Oct 27
     Guest Publisher  5,000 words of YA novel due  CUVCOR13A - Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice
    CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information
    Wk 16
    Nov 3
     Guest Publisher  Student presentation  CUVCOR13A - Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice
    CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information
     Wk 17
    Nov 10
     Assessment Week    


    Learning Resources

    Prescribed Texts

    Any prescribed reading material is 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

      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.

      1. Novel Manuscript
      10,000 words of a novel suitable for a Young Adult readership

      - 5,000 words and a synopsis of a YA novel. Due May 26.
      - A further 5000 words of the YA novel and a chapter outline Due Oct 27. (70%)

      2. Oral Presentation
      Choose a YA novel that has informed your own writing in some way and give a 10 minute presentation on this. To be given on an agreed week. (5%)

      3. Book Review
      Review a minimum of 8 YA novels this year. As you read each book, post a brief response to it on blackboard. This works as a starting point for on-line discussion and become a shared resource for the class. (5%)

      4. Article for Viewpoint
      Choose an aspect of YA writing that interests you and write an article suitable for submitting to Viewpoint, The Hornbook or other publication specialising in YA writing.
      The article should reflect the requirements of the journal and its readership. Due August 25. (10%)

      5. Class exercises and workshopping throughout the year. (10%)


      Grades used in this course are as follows:

      80 – 100% HD High Distinction
      70 – 79% DI Distinction
      60 – 69% CR Credit
      50 – 59% PA Pass
      Under 50% NN Fail

      For further details on these assessment tasks and the grading system and 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

      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;

      Course Overview: Access Course Overview