Course Title: Write extended stories
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2015
Course Code: COMM5911C
Course Title: Write extended stories
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6125 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
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
Teacher: Clare Strahan
Email: clare.strahan@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
Write Extended Stories is taught within the course Storytelling, which is made up of two competencies Write Simple Stories and Write Extended Stories. Strong storytelling is an essential component of screenwriting and the competency Write Extended Stories delivers the skills, craft and knowledge required to write longer stories.
This competency Write Extended Stories (CUFWRT402A) is delivered and assessed with Write Simple Stories (CUFWRT302A).
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 |
||
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 |
||
Element: |
3. Draft extended stories |
||
Performance Criteria: |
12. Draft extended stories using appropriate structuring, style and language |
||
Element: |
4. Write final drafts |
||
Performance Criteria: |
|
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to use both linear and non-linear structures to write simple and extended stories, You will build your understanding and overview of the history and importance of storytelling.
Details of Learning Activities
You will 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’ stories
- 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
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 | Class Content | Assessment Due | Competency and Elements |
1 |
Introduction to Storytelling. Explanation of course content and overview of assessment. |
CUFWRT302A - 1 CUFWRT402A - 1 |
|
2 |
Sourcing: Ordinary Things Reading: Tim Winton Story Structure: Beginnings |
CUFWRT302A - 1, 2 |
|
3 |
Sourcing: Fairy Tales |
CUFWRT302A – 1, 2 |
|
4 |
Sourcing: Fairy Tales (cont’d) Reading: Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella Story Structure: Inciting incidents Story workshops |
Write Simple Stories |
CUFWRT302A – 1, 2, |
5 |
Sourcing: Classical theatre Reading: Aristotle, Aristophanes, E M Forster, Linda Aronson Story Structure: Conflict Story workshops |
Write a Simple Story, Assessment 1: Workshopping | CUFWRT302A – 1, 2, 3 |
6 |
Sourcing: Myth Reading: Joseph Campbell, Christopher Vogler Story Structure: Climax Story workshops |
Write a Simple Story, Assessment 1: Workshopping | CUFWRT302A - 1, 2, 3 CUFWRT402A 2, 3, 4 |
7 |
Sourcing: Allegory |
Write a Simple Story, Assessment 1: Workshopping | CUFWRT302A |
8 |
Sourcing: Place Viewing: North By Northwest Story Structure: Emplacement Story workshops |
Write a Simple Story Assessment 1: Workshopping Assesment 2: Final version of story due |
CUFWRT302A - 1, 2, 3, 4 |
9 |
Sourcing: Objects Extended Story Structure: Characterization, Complex Character Development, Motivation Summative Assessment 2 (Write Extended Stories) explained. Story workshops |
|
CUFWRT302A - 1, 2, 3, 4 |
10 |
Sourcing: Travel |
|
CUFWRT402A - 2, 3 |
11 |
The Ordinary and The Fantastic Reading: Henry Lawson, Peter Carey
Please note: There will be no classes from Monday 21 September to Friday 2 October inclusive. |
Write an Extended Story |
CUFWRT402A - |
12
|
Extended Story Structure: Mystery, Suspense, Irony Reading: Robert McKee Story workshops |
Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Workshopping |
CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3 |
13 |
Sourcing: Imagery Extended Story Structure: Upping the Stakes Stories for feature film Reading: Barbara Baynton Story workshops |
Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Workshopping |
CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3 |
14 |
Action, Stillness Extended Story Structure: Sub-text, suspension of action Reading: Colm Toíbín, Adrian Martin Story workshops |
|
CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3 |
15 |
Point of view in story. Review of course. |
Write an Extended Story Assessment 2 Due Week 16: Redrafted story |
CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
The Storytelling Course Reader will be available at the beginning of the semester both in hard copy and as a digital copy on blackboard. |
References
Extracts, readings and additional references are provided throughout the course. In addition to hard copy handouts, some readings are made available on Blackboard, and others can be accessed via the web. Recommended books will be discussed in class. You are advised to visit Blackboard for ongoing updated information |
Other Resources
Students will require access to a word processing program and the facility to print hard copies of stories for workshopping. These facilities are available in the Carlton Library.
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 all of the following pieces of assessments to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment (refer to Blackboard for assessment criteria).
CUFWRT302A Write a Simple Story
For the assessment, you will write a story of between 1000 and 1500 words, present it for workshopping in class and develop it into a final version. The subject of your story will be ‘the extraordinary in the ordinary’.
Assessment 1: Workshop a Story. First draft of story due: Week 4 (28 July) Workshopping: Weeks 4–7 (28 July, 4, 11, 18 August)
Workshop dates are to be confirmed with your teacher early on in the semester. Submit a single-sided hard copy version of your story on Week 4. Your story will then be workshopped in class, through a structured feedback process facilitated by the teacher, and undertaken to agreed guidelines.
Assessment 2: Redraft a Story. Due: Tuesday 25 August
For this assessment, you will present a 1000-1500 word redraft of your first story that incorporates the feedback you received in the workshop, and further develops its themes, plot, characters, language and ideas. You will also submit 200-word statement that reflects on the story’s development.
CUFWRT402A Write an Extended Story
In this unit you will be challenged to write stories that integrate character with theme and plot in greater depth. For the assessment, you will write a story of between 1800 and 2500 words, present it for workshopping in class and develop it into a final version. The subject of your story will be ‘a suspenseful tale’.
Assessment 1: Workshop Story. First draft of story due: Week 11 (15 September) Workshopping: Weeks 11–14 (15 September, 6, 13, 20 October)
Workshop dates are to be confirmed with your teacher early on in the semester. Submit a single-sided hard copy version of your story on Week 4. Your story will then be workshopped in class, through a structured feedback process facilitated by the teacher, and undertaken to agreed guidelines.
Assessment 2: Redraft Story. Due Tuesday 3 November (NB: There will be no class this week. Stories to be emailed to teacher on this date.)
For this assessment, you will present a 1800 to 2500 word redraft of your first story that incorporates the feedback you received in the workshop, and further develops its themes, plot, characters, language and ideas. You will also submit 200-word statement that reflects on the story’s development.
Once you have demonstrated competency, your final stories will be graded (refer to Blackboard for grading rubric).
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
•CHD Competent with High Distinction
•CDI Competent with Distinction
•CC Competent with Credit
•CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
•NYC Not Yet Competent
•DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment
For further information on the assessment and grading criteria, 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
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/studentsAttendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
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.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (web link)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which people can gain entry to, or credit in, recognised courses based on competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, in social or domestic activities or through informal or formal training or other life experiences. Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies if a student has previously successfully completed the requirements of a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competency has been maintained.
Assessment and Feedback (web link)
You will receive verbal feedback during scheduled class times, and written feedback from teachers on your work . Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student Progress (web link)
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Special consideration for Late Submission (web link)
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.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism (web link)
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
Course Overview: Access Course Overview