Course Title: Write extended stories

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2018

Course Code: COMM5911C

Course Title: Write extended stories

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5314 - Diploma of 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

Anna Snoekstra
anna.snoekstra@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

This course is designed to develop the skills to develop and  apply a range of narrative techniques to develop your writing across a range of contexts.


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
  2. Consider factors such as style, tone and length in relation to purpose of the writing task
  3. Decide on the most appropriate structuring technique for extended story writing tasks
  4. Discuss with relevant personnel possible visual and aural storytelling structures if appropriate to storytelling tasks

Element:

2. Prepare to write extended stories

Performance Criteria:

  1. Research extended and more complex stories from a range of creative works that may inspire story ideas to meet project requirements
  2. Use information sources to research subject areas
  3. Experiment with a range of narrative structures and writing styles and techniques
  4. Develop extended ideas for characters, plots and settings
  5. Develop complex scenarios, contexts and situations as required
  6. Select the story structure, style, techniques and content that best meet the requirements of projects
  7. Seek feedback from relevant personnel on proposed stories and refine approach as required

Element:

3. Draft extended stories

Performance Criteria:

  1. Draft extended stories using appropriate structuring, style and language
  2. Use relevant formatting and presentation techniques
  3. Proofread draft stories for appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling
  4. Submit draft manuscripts to relevant personnel for feedback and amend as required

Element:

4. Write final drafts

Performance Criteria:

  1. Evaluate extended stories in line with relevant criteria
  2. Discuss and confirm with relevant personnel additional requirements or modifications to the story
  3. Complete necessary amendments as required within agreed timelines
  4. Evaluate story writing process, assessing one's own performance and noting areas for future improvement


Learning Outcomes


You will be able to write original projects applying appropriate format and using extended narrative techniques.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will consist of:

  • In-class activities including:
    • Class discussions
    • Class presentations
    • Group work
    • Writing exercises
    • Workshopping
  • Out-of-class activities including:
    • Research
    • Conducting interviews
    • Independent project-based work


Teaching Schedule

Week

 Class content

 Assessments

 Week 1

17 and 18 July

Getting started

·Introduction to course

·Assessment outline

Personal introductions via small-group storytelling

Four types of writing

Elements of narrative

How do businesses use stories

How to find and tell a story 

Introduction of AT 1: Storytelling

 

Week 2

24 and 25 July

Storytelling

Case study: The Moth

Classic three-act structure

Beginnings, middles and ends

What to leave in and what to take out

Overcoming nerves about public speaking

Workshop story ideas

Activity: Finding your story

 

 Week 3

31 July and 1 August

People matter

Writing distinct characters using description, voice, habits, details, anecdotes

Characterisation in business writing

Group storytelling session (AT 1 delivery)

Introduction of AT 2: Character profile

Assessment Task 1:

Storytelling (group 1 – in class)

Week 4

7 and 8 August

Looking at the world

Interviewing techniques

Choosing and using direct quotes

Point of view: first, second and third person narratives

Observational techniques

Writing exercise: character description

Group storytelling session (AT 1 delivery)

Assessment Task 1:

Storytelling (group 2 – in class)

 Week 5

14 and 15 August

Making stories interesting

Keeping the reader reading – desires, obstacles, suspense, rhythm, pace

Different narrative structures

Workshopping etiquette 

Guest speaker: (TBC)

Workshopping AT 2: Character profile

Assessment Task 2: 

Character profile (draft)

Tuesday 21 August

Excursion to The Moth story slam 'Business' event

 

Week 6

27 and 28 August

Show, don’t tell

Descriptive techniques

Using details

Writing exercise: observation and description

Introduction of AT 3: Short story

Assessment Task 2: 

Character profile

(due Sunday 2 September)

Week 7

3 and 4 September

Stories for newsletters/blogs/social media

Basic structure

Analysing good stories

Coming up with ideas

Stories add value

Significant Objects project

Writing exercise: personal object

Assessment Task 3:

Short story (outline) – due Sunday 8 September

 Week 8

10 and 11 September

Putting stories to work

How businesses use stories

Writing exercise: finding the ‘story’

Guest speaker: (TBC)

Feedback on AT 3 outlines

 
 

Mid-semester break: 27 to 28 September

 

Week 9

2 and 3 October

Loving language

Evocative language

Word choices

Strong verbs

Applying narrative techniques to fiction/memoir/creative non-fiction

Workshoppings session 1 AT 3: Short story

Assessment Task 3:

Short story (workshop – in class)

Week 10

9 and 10 October

Stories have power

Importance of storytelling in our personal lives and our society

Workshopping session 2 AT 3: Short story

Assessment Task 3:

Short story (workshop – in class)

Submit by Sunday 14 October


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Your teacher will supply you with any other resources either in class or via the Canvas site.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include:

  • participation in written exercises, in class and online
  • research
  • 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 assessments to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all your assessment and once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for your overall achievement over the semester.

Assessment Task 1: Storytelling
Due date: Weeks 3 or 4 (in class, 31 July/1 August or 7/8 August)
You will present a 3-4-minute story in class. Your story must be true, from your own life, and told in a compelling way with a clear beginning, middle and end. You may read from a script, use notes or deliver it without prompts.

Assessment Task 2: Character profile
Due date: Week 6 (Sunday 2 September)
You will write a 250-word character profile of a subject of your choice using techniques including description, direct quotes, observation of habits, anecdotes, etc. You must have a draft to workshop in class in Week 5 (14/15 August.

Assessment Task 3: Short story
Due date: Sunday 14 October
You will research and write a 800-1200 word story in a genre/style of your own choice. You could write a newsletter article or blog post, a fictional short story or a creative non-fiction piece. Your story should demonstrate the use of some storytelling techniques. You must submit an outline of your story by Sunday 8 September. You must have a draft to workshop in class in Weeks 9 and/or 10 (2/3 October and 9/10 October).

Once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for your overall achievement over the semester (the graded rubric will be available on Canvas). Graded assessment in this course uses the following grades:

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


Assessment Matrix

Assessment Matrixes are available from the 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.

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.

Assessment Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.

Adjustments to Assessment (eg. applying for an extension of time): 
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the 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.

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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview