Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Writing for Older Children

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: COMM5441

Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Writing for Older Children

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 Judith Rossell

Email: judith.rossell@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 Older Children 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

Course Description

This course covers the knowledge and skills required to write for middle and late primary aged children. You analyse and discuss a broad range of fiction and non-fiction writing for this audience while developing concepts for your own projects. You also experiment with writing and editing techniques in order to write a work that meets the particular needs of a young readership.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Writing for Older Children

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to develop a concept into a written work for children.

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

Week	Class Content	Assessment Due	Elements
1	Introduction to the course. Explanation of the year’s work and assessment - timelines etc. Initial writing exercises.		VBP553 - 3 CUVDES05A - 1 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1 CUSRAD02A -1 CUSADM03A - 1 CUECOR01B -1
2	Looking at chapter books – discussion of format. Initial ideas and concepts Discussion of drafting and workshopping process.		VBP553 - 2 CUVDES05A - 1 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1 CUSRAD02A -2 CUSADM03A - 2 CUECOR01B -1
3	Begin workshopping Where do our stories come from Exploring ideas, triggers, memory.		VBP553 - 1/2 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1/2 CUSRAD02A - 2 CUSADM03A - 1/2
4	Characters who drive stories. Creating characters your readers will care about Workshopping		VBP553 - 2/4 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A - 3 CUSRAD02A - 2 CUSADM03A - 3
5	Beginnings, Middles and Ends. Creating a storyline – plotting in chapter books		VBP553 - 4 CUVDES05A - 2 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A - 3 CUSRAD02A - 2/3 CUSADM03A - 2 CUECOR01B -2
6	Who are you writing for? Finding the child reader GUEST SPEAKER Workshopping		VBP553 - 1 CUVDES05A - 1 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUSRAD02A -1 CUSADM03A - 1
7	Exploring the language of chapter books and comparing with other forms of fiction Workshopping		VBP553 - 1/2 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A - 3 CUSRAD02A -3
8	Writing visually. Studying the relationship between text and illustration and learning to write from pictures and for pictures. Workshopping Workshopping		VBP553 - 1/2 CUVCOR13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1/2 CUSRAD02A - 2/3
9	Book Reviews Workshopping	Book Reviews	VBP553 - 1 CUVDES05A - 1/2/3 CUVCOR 13A - 3 CUSRAD02A - 1/4
	Semester Break April 5 to April 11
10	Whole class workshopping		CUVCOR04A - 4/5 CUECOR01B - 3
11	Introduction to non fiction	All students to bring an extract to workshop	VBP553 - 5 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUSRAD02A -2
12	Non fiction. Different approaches to a subject GUEST SPEAKER		VBP553 - 4/5 CUVCOR 13A - 3 CUVCOR04A - 3 CUSADM03A - 3
13	Engaging the child reader	Chapter Book Texts Due	VBP553 - 3 CUSRAD02A - 1/2/3 CUSRAD02A -4
14	Illustrations in non-fiction		VBP553 - 1/2 CUVCOR13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1/2 CUSRAD02A - 2/3
15	All Class Workshopping	Writing to a brief - submission due	CUVCOR04A - 4/5 CUECOR01B - 3
16	Consultations		CUVCOR04A - 3/4 CUECOR01B - 3
17	Assessment Week - no classes
	SEMESTER 2
1	Introduction and discussion of direction and assessment requirements in Semester 2 Looking at Junior fiction and what’s involved. Developing a writing practice.	Student presentation	VBP553 - 2 CUVDES05A - 1 CUVCOR 13A - 1 CUVCOR04A - 1 CUSRAD02A -2 CUSADM03A - 2 CUECOR01B -1
2	Characters who help you plot Real and composite characters Characters your reader can identify with. Workshopping	Student presentation	VBP553 - 1/4 CUVCOR13A - 2 CUSADM03A - 3
3	Creating plot – using myths and fables to develop strong story structure. Workshopping	Student presentation	VBP553 - 4 CUVDES05A - 2 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A - 3 CUSRAD02A - 2/3
4	Writing from the heart – using your own and other people’s experience to create writing that means something to you and your reader Workshopping	Student presentation	VBP553 - 3 CUSRAD02A - 1/2/3 CUSRAD02A -4
5	Voice – studying voice in a range of children’s novels and finding your own Workshopping	Student presentation	VBP553 - 1 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A - 3 CUSRAD02A -4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B - 3
6	Point of View – how does changing the point of view affect your story? Workshopping	Student presentation	VBP553 - 1/4/5 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B - 3
7	Dialogue – making it convincing. Workshopping	Student presentation	VBP553 - 1/4/5 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B - 3
8	Secondary characters – Your protagonist can’t do it on their own Workshopping	Student presentation	VBP553 - 1/4/5 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B - 3
9	Mood, Emotion, Atmosphere. Guiding the reader’s feelings and responses. Workshopping	Student presentation	VBP553 - 1/4/5 CUVCOR 13A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B - 3
10	WHOLE CLASS WORKSHOPPING	All students to bring an extract to workshop	CUVCOR04A - 3/4 CUECOR01B - 3
11	The drafting process • How many drafts? • Editing and polishing - When is enough really enough? Chapter outlines – do they help? Workshopping		VBP553 - 4/5 CUVDES05A - 2 CUVCOR04A - 4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3
12	Book Reviews	Book Reviews	VBP553 - 1 CUVDES05A - 1/2/3 CUVCOR 13A - 3 CUSRAD02A - 1/4
	Mid Semester Break Sep 24to Oct 5 (inclusive)
13	GUEST SPEAKER Workshopping	Student presentation	VBP553 - 5 CUVCOR 13A - 3 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B - 3
14	Submitting your manuscript Which publisher? How to write a covering letter Contracts Workshopping and individual consultations to help with last minute problems	Novel assessment due Student presentation	VBP553 - 3/4 CUSRAD02A - 4
15	Consultations		VBP553 - 5 CUVCOR 13A - 3 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B - 3
16	Cup Day
17	Assessment Week- no classes

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.

Semester 1
1. Chapter Book Texts
Write a text suitable for chapter book. Length 1500-4000 words. Due 8 May (30%)

2.Book Reviews.
Write short reviews of three chapter books. (To be presented in class April 3, written notes to be handed in) (5%)

3. Writing to a brief
Write 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 synopsis and first chapter of a junior non-fiction book, also, following a publisher’s guidelines . Due 22 May. (10%)

4. Class exercises and workshopping. (5%)

Semester 2
1. Novel
A short novel of around 4000 words suitable for younger readers. Due 15 October (30%)

2. Book Reviews.
Short reviews of 3 junior novels. (To be presented in class Sept 18, written notes to be handed in) (5%)

3. Class Presentation
A 10 minute class presentation on a subject of your choice on a date agreed to by the teacher. The subject should be related to children’s literature and you need to to let the teacher know the topic you have chosen at least a week before their presentation date is due. You are required to hand in the written notes from their talk with all sources acknowledged. (10%)

7. Class exercises and workshopping. (5%)




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

Submission of Assessment Tasks
You are required to submit all 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