Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Non-fiction
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2012
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 Sian Prior
Email: sian.prior@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/presentations
• 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 | Class content | Assessment due | Elements |
| 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)? Summarise initial ideas for projects. Briefing re. oral presentation of market research over next two weeks |
Task One: Three minute summary of your intended project and answering related queries | VBP 553 – 3 CUVDES05A - 1 CUVCOR13A - 1 CUVCOR04A – 1 CUSRAD02A - 1 CUSADM03A - 1 CUECOR01B - 1 |
| 2 | Writing to a brief. Industry expectations. Understanding the market for non fiction writing resources/market etc. Understanding the scope of the work and how it can be managed |
TASK TWO DUE: 10 minute class presentations on market research | VBP 553 – 3 CUVDES05A - 1/2 CUVCOR13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A – 1/2 CUSRAD02A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 1 CUECOR01B - 1/2 |
| 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 |
TASK TWO: 10 minute class presentations on market research | VBP 553 – 2 CUVDES05A - 2 CUVCOR13A - 1 CUVCOR04A – 1/2 CUSRAD02A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 1/2 |
| 4 | Discussion: ‘The voice’ in non fiction writing Students will workshop sections of writing from their project and give and receive constructive feedback Students may use workshop to discuss and solve problems Workshopping and Inquiry Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 2 CUVCOR13A - 1 CUVCOR04A – 2/3 CUSRAD02A - 1/2 CUSADM03A - 2 CUECOR01B -2 |
|
| 5 | 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 |
CUVCOR13A -3 CUSADM03A - 1/2 |
|
| 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 |
|
| 7 | Special class: all students to attend ‘RMIT Conversation’ with SP interviewing guest writers | VBP 553 – 4 CUVCOR13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A – 3 CUSRAD02A - 3 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 8 | Discussion – Memoirs – what makes a good story? Workshopping and Inquiry Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 4 CUVCOR13A - 1/2 CUVCOR04A – 3 CUSRAD02A - 3 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 9 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
ASSESSMENT ONE: 3000 words of project DUE | VBP 553 – 3/4 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSRAD02A - 3 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
| Mid-semester break :Thursday 4 April to Wednesday 11 April (inclusive) | |||
| 10 | Discussion – Prologues and Introductions 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 |
|
| 11 | Discussion – Prologues and Introductions 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 |
|
| 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 |
|
| 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 |
|
| 14 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 4/5 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 15 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 4/5 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 16 | ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS with lecturer. Review of the semester and discussion of work progress in semester 1 | ASSESSMENT TWO: 3500 words of project DUE (NB. NEW WORK, NOT RE-WORKING OF PREVIOUSLY-ASSESSED MATERIAL) | VBP 553 – 5 CUVDES05A - 2 CUSADM03A - 3/4 CUECOR01B -2 |
| 17 | Assessment Week - no class | ||
| SEMESTER 2 | |||
| 1 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 2 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising Preparation of the publishing proposal |
VBP 553 – 2 CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSRAD02A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 3 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising Guest lecturer |
VBP 553 – 2 CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSRAD02A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 4 | Time management – working to a deadline Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings Class exercises relating to issues arising |
Task Three Due: Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings | VBP 553 – 4/5 CUVCOR04A – 4 CUSADM03A - 3/4 CUECOR01B -2/3 |
| 5 | Time management – working to a deadline Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings Class exercises relating to issues arising |
TASK THREE(CONT.) Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings | VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
| 6 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 7 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 8 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 9 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 10 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 11 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 12 | Workshopping and Inquiry (cont.) Class exercises relating to issues arising |
ASSESSMENT THREE: Publishing proposal due | VBP 553 – 5 CUVCOR13A -2 CUVCOR04A – 3/4 CUSADM03A - 3 CUECOR01B -3 |
| Mid-Semester Break | |||
| 13 | Guest lecturer – probably Di Websdale Morrisey | CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 4 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 14 | 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 |
|
| 15 | Guest Speaker from Industry Speaker will assess your proposals and come to class to give you individualised feedback |
ASSESSMENT FOUR: 3500 words of project due | CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 4 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
| 16 | FINAL CLASS: 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 |
CUVDES05A - 3 CUVCOR13A - 3 CUVCOR04A – 4 CUSADM03A - 4 CUECOR01B -3 |
|
| 17 | Assessment Week (no class) |
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
Task 1. Summary of intended project (Not graded)
Three minute summary of your intended project and answering related queries. Due Feb 8
Task 2. Presentation on market research (Not graded)
Class presentation on market research. Due Feb &
Assessment 1. 3000 words of project (25%)
Due April 12
Assessment 2. 3500 words of project (25%)
Due July 12
Task 3. Class presentation (not graded)
Class presentation of theoretical/historical underpinnings
Due July 17 & 26.
Assessment 3. Publishing proposal. (25%)
Due September 20
Assessment 4. 3500 words of project (25%)
Due October 23
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
Submission of Assessment Tasks
You are required to submit all assessment tasks in hard copy with a completed School of Media and Communication cover sheet. You are expected to keep a copy of all assignments submitted.
Late Submissions
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension before that due date.
Please refer to the course blackboard site for information on late submissions and on applying for an extension.
Feedback
You will receive both spoken and written feedback on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is about the honest presentation of your academic work. Presenting work that fails to acknowledge other people’s work within yours can compromise academic integrity. For further information on academic integrity and plagiarism, please refer to the following URL. http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kkc202lwe1yv
Special Consideration Policy
Please refer to the following URL for information on applying for special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1
Course Overview: Access Course Overview