Course Title: Produce Writings - Short Story

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: COMM5403

Course Title: Produce Writings - Short Story

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4171 - Certificate IV in 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

Teacher: Ms Ania Walwicz
Phone: 03 99254525
Email: ania.walwicz@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 105

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, Produce Writings – Short Story is delivered and assessed along with the following competencies:

• CUSRAD01A – Collect and organise information
• CUVCOR03A – Develop, refine and communicate concept
• CUVCOR11A – Source information on history and theory and apply to own work

Course Description

In this course you explore the art of writing in the short story form while looking at the skills and knowledge needed to write and market your own short stories. You are introduced to the works of many different short story writers and experiment with a range of approaches and techniques  while creating your own body of work.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBP552 Produce Writings - Short Story

Element:

Analyse the purpose of the writing task

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The purpose of the work is confirmed with relevant parties
1.2 The form, media and technique most appropriate to the purpose of the writing task is selected
1.3 The stylistic and cultural context of the writing task is proposed to meet the writing objective
 

Element:

Create the writing task

Performance Criteria:

2.1 The level and scope of the writing task is analysed to determine the length and style of the work
2.2 The level of research required to fulfil the agreed outcome to the required style and standard is analysed
2.3 The resources necessary to retrieve or generate the relevant information is determined
2.4 The type and level of information required to suit the context of the writing task is planned
 

Element:

Investigate the scope of the writing task

Performance Criteria:

3.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work and to meet agreed timelines
3.2 Ideas are organised and developed into an ordered sequence.
3.3 All resources required to deliver the writing task are organised
3.4 A timeline for the completion of the writing task that reflects the critical milestones is determined
 

Element:

Plan the writing task

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Components of the information required and the form in which the writing will be developed, constructed and presented is resolved
4.2 The intention of the writing task and the characteristics of the audience are reflected in the writing
4.3 Appropriate processes and research are utilised to retrieve the necessary information
4.4 The particular characteristics of the media are analysed to inform the writing in a way that is appropriate for the purpose of the writing
4.5 Relevant information sources are employed to generate and inform the writing task
4.6 Common literary devices and the metaphoric function of language are integrated into the writing task
4.7 Writing task is produced in accordance with writing goals
 

Element:

Realise the writing task

Performance Criteria:

5.1 The writing task is appropriate for the media, the context of the brief and the style of the subject matter
5.2 The language in which the writing task is written is suitable for the intended audience
5.3 The writing task is proofed and edited to the standard required for presentation
5.4 A draft is presented, if required, to the client to confirm that the work is acceptable
5.5 Work is adjusted as required and presented in the agreed manner and timeframe
 

Learning Outcomes



On successful completion of this unit, you will have gained insight into the theory and practice of short story writing. Through research and the practical application of theory,  you will be able to develop an initial concept into a written work.


Details of Learning Activities

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 of short stories
• 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 Assessment Due Competencies and Elements
  SEMESTER 1    
 Week 1 
 		  
Introduction to short story writing
Intoduction to the class, its aims and procedures
Looking at a recent publication		    VBP 552 Analyse the purpose of the writing task
CUSRAD01A Collect information
CUVCOR03A Develop concept
CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory
 Week 2
 		  Short Story format- voice , tone, description, character, setting.- the elements of the short story.    VBP 552 Analyse the purpose of the writing task
CUSRAD01A Collect information
CUVCOR03A Develop concept
CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory
 Week 3
 		  The tasks of drating, writing, re- writing and editing.- the process of literary production of the short story format.    VBP 552 Analyse the purpose of the writing task /Investigate the scope of the writing task
CUSRAD01A Assess the information
CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory
CUVCOR03A Develop concept
 Week 4
 		  Narrative aims- the classical short story.- discussion of the aims of narrative form, questions of content, resolution,affect and effect   VBP 552 Investigate the scope of the writing task
CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory
CUVCOR03A Develop concept
 Week 5
 		  A local story, its aims, context and response of the reader .The act of storytelling and the  relationship with the audience.    CUVCOR03A Develop concept
CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work
VBP 552 Plan the purpose of the writing task
CUVCOR03A Communicate concept
 Week 6
 		  Truth and fiction- mapping of the self, the use of the first person in writing.The diary or the made- up diary. Assessment 1 Due  CUVCOR03A Develop concept / Communicate concept
VBP 552 Plan the purpose of the writing task / Create the writing teak
CUSRAD01A Assess the information
 Week 7
 		  Imaginary universes- writing as invention.The construction of artificial settings and events.    CUVCOR03A Refine concept / Communicate concept
CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work
VBP 552 Create the writing task
  Mid-Semester Break: April 1 to April 5 (inclusive)    
 Week 8
 		  The American short story. Writing, its context and the discussion of particular styles and how they arise.    CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work
CUVCOR03A Refine concept /Communicate concept
 Week 9
 		  The European tradition.- history, politics and storytelling-  reading, discussion and lessons of the European tradition.    CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work
CUVCOR03A Refine concept
VBP 552 Create the writing task
 Week 10
 		 South American short story- recent fashion, convoluted formats.    
VBP 552 Created the writing task
 Week 11 
 		 Asian short story- the manga format and the use of fable and non- linear constructs.    
CUVCOR03A Refine concept
VBP 552 Create the writing task
 Week 12
 		 Understatement- suggestion,  suspense- the reader is kept in the dark and not given all the information.    VBP 552 Create the writing task
CUVCOR03A Refine concept
 Week 13
 		  Expressionsm- emotion, revelation, outpouring, excess. Assessment 2 Due  VBP 552 Analyse the purpose of the writing task
CUVCOR03A Refine concept
 Week 14
 		  Short story writing as construction of a game.The plotting of a set of constructs in storytelling that format an entrancing situation.    
CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work
CUSRAD01A Collect relevant information
CUVCOR03A Refine concept
 Week 15
 		  The act of writing as manipulation of the reader., producing planned effects, schadenfreude-a projected drama   VBP 552 Realise the writing task
CUVCOR03A Refine concept
 Week 16
 		  Popular fiction- reading  andanalysis- what is the current format of populism.    CUVCOR03A Refine concept
VBP 552 Realise the writing task
CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work
  Semester Break - June 10 to July 6 (inclusive)    
  SEMESTER 2    
 Week 1
 		  Short story and cinema- the use of short story as script and basis for television, the potential of expansion,construction, reiteration,commercial possibilities.    VBP 552 Analyse the purpose of the writing task /Investigate the scope of the writing task
 Week 2
 		  Microfiction- what is the length of a short story, playing with concept ,form and content.    CUSRAD01A Collect relevant information
CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory
CUVCOR03A Develop concept
 Week 3
 		  Compilation of stories-  tales in a sequence- amplification, reiteration, interrelationship of storytelling.Current publications that create a semi- novel form.    CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory/Apply information to own area of work
VBP 552 Create the writing task
CUSRAD01A Collect relevant information /Assess the information
 Week 4
 		  Short story and history- creative writing as a record of the events of the world around us.    CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory /Apply information to own area of work
VBP 552 Create the writing task
 Week 5
 		  Entertaining the reader- what ploys can we invent to produce pleasure, leisure and relaxation. Assessment 3 Due  VBP 552 ICreate the writing task
CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory /Apply information to own area of work
 Week 6
 		   How to frighten the reader-  drama, trauma and fear.Southern Gothic style and how we can use it in storytelling.   VBP 552 Create the writing task
CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory  /Apply information to own area of work
 Week 7
 		  Comedy - monologue ,performance and the short story- short story as theatre.    VBP 552 Create the writing task
CUVCOR03A Develop concept
 Week 8
 		  The use of symbolism  and mythology in storytelling- reference to other material, appropriation.   VBP 552 Create the writing task  CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory
 CUSRAD01A Organise the information
/ Communicate the information
 Week 9
 		  New forms of storytelling in the current media- exploring new territories and potentials.    VBP 552 Create the writing task
CUVCOR03A Develop concept
 Week 10
 		  Short story as essay- conveyance of political events, history as storytelling  
VBP 552 Create the writing task
CUVCOR03A Develop concept  / Communicate concept
 Week 11
 		 The tradition of animal stories- looking at the history of the short story form.The relationship of storytelling to the image.   CUVCOR11A Apply information to own area of work
VBP 552 Create the writing task
  Mid-Semester Break- September 23 to October 4 (inclusive)    
 Week 12 
 		  Best work from the course- the published short stories written by the students- looking at the tactics of storytelling    CUSRAD01A Organise the information
VBP 552 Plan the purpose of the writing task /Create the writing task
 Week 13
 		  The use of factual material in storytelling- incoporating  science, current events.    CUSRAD01A Organise the information
/ Communicate the information
 Week 14
 		  Recent short story publications- looking at current fashions in literature. Assessment 4 Due  CUVCOR03A Communicate concept
VBP 552 Create the writing task
 Week 15
 		  Short story from "New Yorker"    CUVCOR03A Communicate concept
VBP 552 Realise the writing task
 Week 16
 		  Eriotic writing- current and historical area  of literary production    CUVCOR11A Collect information on history and theory
VBP 552 Realise the writing task

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Class hand-outs and recommendations will be made during the course of the year.


References

You are advised to look at the course blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

You require access to a computer and access 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
Assessment 1: Workshopping your own and other student work (5%) 

Assessment 2: Submission of one short story – 2,500 words (20%) Due 22/3/2013  

Assessment 3: Submission of one short story – 2,500 words (20%) Due17/5/2013     

 

Semester 2                                                                 
Assessment 4: Workshopping your own and other student work (5%)

Assessment 5: Class presentation on an aspect of  short  story(10%) Topic and date of presentation to be to be discussed with teacher

Assessment 6: Submission of one short story – 2,500 words (20%) Due 9/8/2013 

Assessment 7: Submission of one short story – 2,500 words (20%) Due 25/10/2013 

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

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Cover Sheet for Submissions
All students must complete a submission cover sheet for each piece of submitted work.

Plagiarism - RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity

Copyright
All students have access to the myRMIT copyright shell. The myRMIT copyright shell contains information on copyright, plus also examples on how to use copyright works as part of your projects and assignments.

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:
www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration/online

Work submitted late without an extension or special consideration will be penalised. See the program website for more details.

Student Progress Committee
This committee promotes the early identification of students who are not achieving acceptable academic performance. The committee provides identified students with assistance and seeks to ensure such students are aware of the range of support services available to them at the University. Student Progress Committee (SPC)

Student Feedback
Students are offered opportunities to provide feedback through a variety of mechanisms including online surveys conducted at the end of each course or semester, student complaints and Student Staff Consultative Committees
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview