Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: COMM7370C
Course Title: Write fiction material
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4405 - Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact: Dzintra Boyd and Sarah Vincent
Course Contact Phone: +61399254269 (Dzintra)
Course Contact Email: pwecoordinators@rmiteduau.onmicrosoft.com
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Rachel Matthews
Teacher: Anna Snoekstra
Nominal Hours: 70
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
Do you have stories to tell, characters to bring to life and ideas to share? Are you looking to hone your craft and seek publication? In this class, you’ll learn how to plan, write and revise different forms of short fiction. From exploring a story’s potential in a writer’s journal to fine-tuning a completed short story, this course covers the creative and technical skills that will inform your approach to writing and publishing fiction.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUAWRT405 Write fiction material |
Element: |
1. Determine requirements for fiction material |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Determine requirements of the fiction material including genre and elements of composition 1.2 Research and gather information relevant to the fiction topic 1.3 Clarify purpose and required outcomes of the fiction material with relevant stakeholders 1.4 Identify intended audience and research requirements to select the most suitable form and publication media CUAWRT405 Write fiction material Date this document was generated: 19 October 2022 Approved Page 3 of 4 © Commonwealth of Australia, 2022 PwC's Skills for Australia ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 1.5 Clarify copyright, intellectual property and regulatory requirements 1.6 Determine appropriate language, style, tone and length 1.7 Determine appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation |
Element: |
2. Plan and prepare to write fiction material |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Develop an appropriate timeline to complete the fiction material based on requirements 2.2 Prepare resources needed to produce the required materials 2.3 Plan writing task to reflect the audience, structure and content of the fiction material 2.4 Organise information and develop ideas for fiction material |
Element: |
3. Create draft of fiction material |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Use safe work practices including addressing ergonomic requirements when undertaking writing tasks 3.2 Use writing techniques and structural elements appropriate for the genre and publication type to create draft 3.3 Perform basic editing of draft to meet the requirements of the fiction material 3.4 Perform basic proofreading of draft to meet the requirements of the fiction material 3.5 Confirm content complies with copyright and intellectual property requirement |
Element: |
4. Complete the fiction material |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Confirm draft is appropriate for the purpose, publication media and intended audience 4.2 Seek feedback from relevant stakeholders and establish the method by which feedback will be provided 4.3 Discuss and confirm any modifications with relevant people 4.4 Complete agreed modifications and produce final draft within required timelines |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.
You will be able to:
- create an effective writer’s journal
- employ fictional techniques to write flash fiction and extended fiction
- offer and use feedback to enrich your creative practice
- use style guides and software to present work professionally.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
- lectures
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- peer teaching and class presentations
- group discussion
- class exercises
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
|
|
Week 1
|
Introduction to Writing Fiction
o Writing and Me (your areas of interest)
o Explanation of content and discussion of assessments.
o Download Digital Writer Journal for AT1 and AT2
o Short Writing Task
o Why read? Analysing fiction
o Genre overview |
Discussion about Assessment 1: Analysis Report and Knowledge Questions
Assessment 2: Digital Journal (minimum of 4000 words) to collate weekly class work and writing explored out of class (also including a 600- word flash fiction piece) |
|
Week 2
|
AT1: o Excerpts: review figurative language/style o Creating characters
o Thinking about themes
o Ergonomic posture for writing |
|
|
Week 3
|
AT1: o Excerpts: review figurative language/ style o Narrative Structures o Plot o Setting o Difference between a short story/ novella /novel |
Engagement Activity Due |
|
Week 4
|
AT1: o POV: Point of view
o Voice
o Dialogue |
Writing Journal Show and Tell
(Volunteer showcase) |
|
Week 5
|
AT1: o The revision process o Shaping conflict / building tension |
Assessment 1 Due:
Analysis Report and Knowledge Questions
|
|
Week 6
|
AT2: o Introduction to Assessment Task 2 : Create and Maintain a Writers Journal
Aspects of flash/short fiction
o Beginnings and endings |
|
|
Week 7
|
|
|
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Week 8
|
AT2: o Timing and tempo : reading out aloud o Pace: slowing things down / speeding things up o Space: both for the reader and on the page |
First review of Writers Journal
Hand in first draft of flash fiction
Make sure your rough draft is ready for our workshopping groups next week
|
|
Week 9
|
AT2: Workshopping Flash Fiction Draft |
Second review of Writers Journal
|
|
Week 10
|
AT2: Finalising Assessment 2
|
Assessment 2 Due:
Create and Maintain a Writers Journal |
|
Mid-semester break from Friday 18 April to Friday 25 April inclusive |
|
|
Week 11
|
AT3: o Introduction to Assessment Task 3: Participate in Planning and Writing Fiction Work o Understanding industry requirements
|
|
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Week 12
|
o Drafting and editing o Giving and receiving feedback (review) o Workshopping |
|
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Week 13
|
o Workshopping
|
|
|
Week 14
|
o How to pitch your idea? o Mentorships o Organisations that support emerging writers?
o Agents o Semester review |
Assessment 3 Due: Participate in Planning and Writing Fiction Work
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The Learning Lab
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is ongoing throughout the course and will include a range of practical and theory components. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on Canvas.
This is a Vocational Education and Training qualification and is assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard required in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.
Assessment 1: Analysis Report and Knowledge Questions
Due: Week 5
There are 2 parts to this task. You will be required to complete:
Part 1: Analyse written fiction material
Part 2: Online Knowledge Assessment
Assessment 2: Create and Maintain a Writer's Journal
Due: Week 10
There are four (4) parts to this task. You will be required to complete:
Part 1: Create and maintain a writer’s journal
Part 2: Pitch and plan a piece of flash fiction
Part 3: Create draft of flash fiction material
Part 4: Complete the flash fiction material
Assessment 3: Participate in Planning and Writing Fiction Work
Due: Week 14
There are 4 parts to this task. You will be required to complete:Part 1: Determine requirements for fiction material
Part 2: Plan and prepare to write fiction material
Part 3: Create draft of fiction material and respond to feedback from workshop
Part 4: Complete and submit the fiction material
Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.
Other Information
Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Information about your studies
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment
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.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview