Course Title: Write extended stories

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: COMM5911C

Course Title: Write extended stories

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5314 - Diploma of 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

Lorna Hendry
lorna.hendry@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 40

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

None

Course Description

This course is designed to develop the skills to develop and  apply a range of narrative techniques to develop your writing across a range of contexts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFWRT402A Write extended stories

Element:

1. Analyse extended story writing requirements

Performance Criteria:

1. Identify the components of a storytelling creative concept, brief or project, including target audience, format, timeline and proposed outcomes.
2. Consider factors such as style, tone and length in relation to purpose of the writing task.
3. Decide on the most appropriate structuring technique for extended story writing tasks
4. Discuss with relevant personnel possible visual and aural storytelling structures if appropriate to storytelling tasks.

  

Element:

2. Prepare to write extended stories

Performance Criteria:

5. Research extended and more complex stories from a range of creative works that may inspire story ideas to meet project requirements.
6. Use information sources to research subject areas.
7. Experiment with a range of narrative structures and writing styles and techniques.
8. Develop extended ideas for characters, plots and settings.
9. Develop complex scenarios, contexts and situations as required.
10. Select the story structure, style, techniques and content that best meet the requirements of projects.
11. Seek feedback from relevant personnel on proposed stories and refine approach as required.

 

Element:

3. Draft extended stories

Performance Criteria:

12. Draft extended stories using appropriate structuring, style and language.
13. Use relevant formatting and presentation techniques.
14. Proofread draft stories for appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling.
15.  Submit draft manuscripts to relevant personnel for feedback and amend as required.

Element:

4. Write final drafts

Performance Criteria:

16. Evaluate extended stories in line with relevant criteria.
17. Discuss and confirm with relevant personnel additional requirements or modifications to the story.
18. Complete necessary amendments as required within agreed timelines.
19.  Evaluate story writing process, assessing one’s own performance and noting areas for future improvement.


Learning Outcomes


You will be able to write original projects applying appropriate format and using extended narrative techniques.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will consist of:

  • In-class activities including:
    • Class discussions
    • Class presentations
    • Group work
    • Writing exercises
    • Workshopping
  • Out-of-class activities including:
    • Research
    • Conducting interviews
    • Independent project-based work


Teaching Schedule

 Week  Class content  Assessments  Elements
 1

 Introduction
Introduction to course
Assessment outline
Personal introductions via small-group storytelling
Four types of writing
Elements of narrative
Existing stories in businesses

Formative assessment #1: Bring in an example of business writing that uses narrative techniques to present to the class (ongoing through Weeks 2-9)

1
 2 Narratives in business
How businesses use narrative techniques (case study: RM Williams)
Writing exercise: finding the ‘story’ in dull copy
Interviewing techniques
  2
5
6
 3 Characterisation
Writing distinct characters using description, voice, habits, details, anecdotes
Writing exercise
Using characterisation in business writing
  5
7
12
 4

Point of view
Pros and cons of first, second and third person narratives
How different points of view are used in business writing
Workshopping draft profiles

  7
15
16
17
19
 5

Written vs oral storytelling
The value of reading work out loud
Using spoken word in business
Oral storytelling in business presentations
Storytelling techniques
Choosing and using direct quotes

Summative assessment #1: Profile for annual report due

4
13
14
15
18

 6

Stories add value
Significant Objects project
Writing exercises
Branding as storytelling
Guest speaker (TBC)

  8
9
 7 Narrative structure
Different narrative structures
Using narrative structure in business writing
Analysing structure of newsletter articles
Features of a newsletter article
Formative assessment #2: Outline of newsletter article due 1
3
7
11
 8 Show, don’t tell
Descriptive techniques
Using details
Using statistics to tell stories
Writing exercises
  4
12
 9 Beginnings, middles and ends
Keeping the reader reading – desires, obstacles, suspense, rhythm, pace
Writing exercise
Workshopping draft newsletter articles
Guest speaker (TBC)
  10
16
17
19
 10 GOOD FRIDAY: NO CLASS  Summative assessment #2: Newsletter article due 13
14
15
18


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Students should look at the course Blackboard site every week for ongoing updated information, including required reading to be done in preparation for each class.


Other Resources

Sugggested resources
Treddinnick, M, The little red writing book, 2006, UNSW Press
Zinsser, W, On writing well: the classic guide to writing non-fiction, 2006, Collins
The best Australian essays: a ten-year collection, 2011, Black Inc.
Grenville, K, The writing book: a practical guide for fiction writers, 2010, Allen & Unwin


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include:

  • participation in written exercises, in class and online
  • research
  • the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessments in this unit are graded Competent or Not Competent. To demonstrate competency in this course, you need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard.

Formative assessments
1. Class presentation of sample of business writing using narrative techniques (ongoing from Week 2-9)
2. Outline of newsletter article (due Week 7)

Summative assessments
1. Profile (staff or customer) for annual report (due Week 5)
2. Newsletter article (due Week 10)


Assessment Matrix

Assessment Matrix are availabel from the Program Administration

Other Information

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Attendance
The major learning experience involves xxx. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to achieve competency in this unit..

Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

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. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you will need to apply for special consideration. Special consideration, appeals and discipline http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy> Go to Academic integrity http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n

Work Placement
It is a requirement of this program that all students participate in authentic work related tasks. These may be either simulated or in a real work environment. On occasion, we are approached by industry and given opportunities for students to apply for short term placements. When these placement opportunities arise, students are required to negotiate the specific details with the relevant program coordinator or teacher. All industry placements require students, RMIT staff and host organisations to sign a written agreement prior to the commencement of the placement.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview