Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Non-fiction
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: COMM5409
Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Non-fiction
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 Diane Morrissey
Email: di.morrissey@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
Refine Writing and Editing – Non-fiction Project 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
Through the development of these competencies, you gain the skills needed to manage your work and learning while responding to a range of project briefs. You research the work of other writers and publishers and apply your findings to our own writing through the development of a concept into a written project.
Course Description
This unit covers the knowledge and skills required to research and experiment with writing and editing techniques and media to generate writings. It explores the skills required to produce a major non-fiction project and to develop a greater understanding of target audiences, publishers’ expectations and the marketplace.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Non-fiction |
Element: |
1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 The potential for new approaches to writing based on the capabilities of techniques already used are evaluated |
Element: |
2. Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 A conceptual vision for writings are developed based on a knowledge and understanding of different writing techniques 2.2 The criteria for selecting techniques are considered based on results of experimentation 2.3 The criteria which are most likely to facilitate the achievement of the conceptual vision are established 2.4 The approach to work which meets established criteria is selected 2.5 The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experimentation and analysis of writing techniques |
Element: |
3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 The specific resource requirements which arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches are assessed |
Element: |
4. Plan the writing |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work and to meet agreed timelines 4.2 Ideas are organised and developed into an ordered sequence of scenes 4.3 All resources required to deliver the writing task are organised 4.4 A timeline for the completion of the writing task that reflects the critical milestones is determined |
Element: |
5. Realise writings |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Writings are realised using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision 5.2 The potential for changes in the use of techniques are evaluated and responded to 5.3 The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experiences with the production of writings 5.4 Issues of design and presentation of writings are considered and appropriate actions taken |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to develop a concept into a longer piece of non-fiction writing
Details of Learning Activities
In this course you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
•industry speakers
•teacher directed group activities/projects
•peer teaching
•group discussion
•workshopping of students’ own projects
•analysis/critique of writings of students’ writing
2. Out-of-class activities:
•independent project based work
•writing and reading assignments
•online and other research
•independent study
Teaching Schedule
Week Starting |
Class content | Assessment due |
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> Elements |
SEMESTER 1 | |||
Feb 7 Wk 1 |
Introduction to the course. Explanation of the year’s work and assessment. Initial writing exercises. What skills do you need to develop to succeed in this area (non-fiction projects)? Initial ideas for projects – oral presentation of ideas |
Three minute summary of your intended project and answering related queries Class presentation on market research |
VBP 553 – 3 CUVDES05A - 1 CUVCOR13A - 1 CUVCOR04A – 1 CUSRAD02A - 1 CUSADM03A - 1 CUECOR01B - 1 <style type="text/css">@font-face { font-family: "Verdana"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }</style> |
Feb 14 Wk 2 |
Writing to a brief. Industry expectations. Recognising what is and isn’t desirable or possible taking into account all factors – resources/market etc. Understanding the scope of the work and how it can be managed |
Three minute summary of your intended project and answering related queries Class presentation on market research |
VBP 553 – 3 CUVDES05A - 1/2 CUVCOR13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A – 1/2 CUSRAD02A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 1 CUECOR01B - 1/2 |
Feb 21 Wk 3 |
Workshopping and Inquiry Discussion of examples of sources of information Students will workshop sections of writing from their project and give and receive constructive feedback Students may use workshop to discuss and solve problems Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 2 CUVDES05A - 2 CUVCOR13A - 1 CUVCOR04A – 1/2 CUSRAD02A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 1/2 |
|
Feb 28 Wk 4 |
Researching your market (Guest lecturer). |
VBP 553 – 2 CUVCOR13A - 1 CUVCOR04A – 2/3 CUSRAD02A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 2 CUECOR01B -2 |
|
Mar 7 Wk 5 |
Researching your market (Guest lecturer) |
CUVCOR13A -3 CUSADM03A - 1/2 |
|
Mar 14 Wk 6 |
Recognising the scope of your project Workshopping and Inquiry Students will workshop sections of writing from their project and give and receive constructive feedback Students may use workshop to discuss and solve Problems Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 4 CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 1 CUVCOR04A – 3 CUSRAD02A - 2 CUSADM03A - 1/2 |
|
Mar 21 Wk 7 |
Workshopping and Inquiry Students will workshop sections of writing from their project and give and receive constructive feedback Students may use workshop to discuss and solve problems Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 4 CUVCOR13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A – 3 CUSRAD02A - 3 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Mar 28 Wk 8 |
Old story new angle – what makes your project different? Workshopping and Inquiry Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 4 CUVCOR13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A – 3 CUSRAD02A - 3 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Apr 4 Wk 9 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising <o:p></o:p> <!--EndFragment--> |
VBP 553 – 3/4 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSRAD02A - 3 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Apr 11 Wk 10 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
2500 words of project | VBP 553 – 3/4 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSRAD02A - 3 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
Apr 18 Wk 11 |
Research techniques Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 3/4 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSRAD02A - 3 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Mid-semester break :Thursday 21 April to Wednesday 27 April (inclusive) |
|||
May 2 Wk 12 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 4/5 CUVCOR13A -3 CUVCOR04A – 3 CUSRAD02A - 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
May 9 Wk 13 |
Organising your material Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 4/5 CUVCOR13A -3 CUVCOR04A – 3 CUSRAD02A - 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
May 16 Wk 14 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
2500 words of project | VBP 553 – 4/5 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUECOR01B -3 |
May 23 Wk 15 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 4/5 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
May 30 Wk 16 |
Review of the semester and discussion of work covered in semester 2 Students will complete self-assessment |
Interview about progress of project | VBP 553 – 5 CUVDES05A - 2 CUSADM03A - 3/4 CUECOR01B -2 |
Jun 6 Wk 17 |
Assessment Week | ||
|
SEMESTER 2 |
||
July 4 Wk 1 |
Individual feedback at scheduled meetings | CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
July11 Wk 2 |
Preparation of the publishing proposal Guest lecturer |
3500 words of project due | VBP 553 – 2 CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSRAD02A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
July 18 Wk 3 |
Preparation of the publishing proposal Guest lecturer |
Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings | VBP 553 – 2 CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSRAD02A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
July 25 Wk 4 |
Time management – working to a deadline Students will workshop sections of writing from their project and give and receive constructive feedback Students may use workshop to discuss and solve problems Class exercises relating to issues arising |
Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings | VBP 553 – 4/5 CUVCOR04A – 4 CUSADM03A - 3/4 CUECOR01B -2/3 |
Wk 5 Aug 1 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Wk 6 Aug 8 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Wk 7 Aug 15 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Aug 22 Wk 8 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Aug 29 Wk 9 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Wk 10 Sep 5 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Wk 11 Sep 12 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Wk 12 Sep 19 |
Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
Publishing proposal due |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
Mid-Semester Break |
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Wk 13 Oct 10 |
Guest Speaker from Industry Speaker will assess your proposals and come to class to give you individualised feedback |
CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 4 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Wk 14 Oct 17 |
Guest Speaker from Industry Speaker will assess your proposals and come to class to give you individualised feedback |
CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 4 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
Wk 15 Oct 24 |
Review of year’s work. Students will assess their project against their original plans and speak to its development and where they will take it from here. |
3500 words of project due |
CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 4 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 <!--EndFragment--> |
Wk 16 Nov 1 |
Melbourne Cup |
||
Wk17 Nov 8 |
Assessment Week |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Any prescribed reading material is provided by the teacher |
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 series of exercises, workshopping and the development of your a concept into a non-fiction writing project.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment 1. Summary of intended project (Not graded)
Three minute summary of your intended project and answering related queries. Due Feb 8 & 15
Assessment 2. Presentation on market research (Not graded)
Class presentation on market research. Due Feb 8 & 15
Assessment 3. 2500 words of project (15%)
Due April 12
Assessment 4. 2500 words of project (15%)
Due May 17
Assessment 5. Interview (not graded)
Interview about progress of project. Due May 31
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Assessment 6. 3500 words of project (25%)
Due July 12
Assessment 7.Class presentation (not graded)
Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings
Due July 17 & 26.
Assessment 8 Publishing proposal. (20%)
Due September 20
Assessment 9. 3500 words of project (25%)
Due October 25
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
Feedback
You will receive spoken and/or written feedback by teacher on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Late Submission
Please refer to the course blackboard site for policy information on late submissions and plagiarism
Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
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:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;
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