Course Title: Write extended stories

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: COMM5911C

Course Title: Write extended stories

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6125 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

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

Dr Rachel Matthews
rachel.matthews@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

Write Extended Stories is taught within the course Storytelling, which is made up of two competencies Write Simple Stories and Write Extended Stories. Strong storytelling is an essential component of screenwriting and the competency Write Extended Stories delivers the skills, craft and knowledge required to write longer stories.
This competency Write Extended Stories (CUFWRT402A) is delivered and assessed with Write Simple Stories (CUFWRT302A).
 

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CUFWRT402A Write extended stories
Element:	1. Analyse extended story writing requirements
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Identify the components of a storytelling creative concept, brief or project, including target audience, format, timeline and proposed outcomes. 1.2 Consider factors such as style, tone and length in relation to purpose of the writing task. 1.3 Decide on the most appropriate structuring technique for extended story writing tasks. 1.4 Discuss with relevant personnel possible visual and aural storytelling structures if appropriate to storytelling tasks.
Element:	2. Prepare to write extended stories
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Research extended and more complex stories from a range of creative works that may inspire story ideas to meet project requirements. 2.2 Use information sources to research subject areas. 2.3 Experiment with a range of narrative structures and writing styles and techniques. 2.4 Develop extended ideas for characters, plots and settings. 2.5 Develop complex scenarios, contexts and situations as required. 2.6 Select the story structure, style, techniques and content that best meet the requirements of projects. 2.7 Seek feedback from relevant personnel on proposed stories and refine approach as required.
Element:	3. Draft extended stories
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Draft extended stories using appropriate structuring, style and language. 3.2 Use relevant formatting and presentation techniques. 3.3 Proofread draft stories for appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling. 3.4 Submit draft manuscripts to relevant personnel for feedback and amend as required.
Element:	4. Write final drafts
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Evaluate extended stories in line with relevant data. 4.2 Discuss and confirm with relevant personnel additional requirements or modifications to the story. 4.3 Complete necessary amendments as required within agreed timelines. 4.4 Evaluate story writing process, assessing one’s own performance and noting areas for future improvement.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to use both linear and non-linear structures to write simple and extended stories, You will build your understanding and overview of the history and importance of storytelling.

Details of Learning Activities

You will learn through: 
1. In-class activities:

• lectures
• industry speakers
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• reading of excerpts of writings and set texts to provide examples of writing elements
• workshopping of students’ stories
• analysis/critique of writings of students’ choice

1. Out-of-class activities:

• independent project based work
• writing and reading assignments
• online and other research
• independent study

Teaching Schedule

This competency Write Extended Stories(CUFWRT402A) is delivered and assessed with Write Simple Stories (CUFWRT302A).

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	Class Content	Assessment Due	Competency and Elements
1	Introduction to Storytelling. Explanation of course content and overview of assessment.		CUFWRT302A - 1 CUFWRT402A - 1
2	Sourcing: Ordinary Things  Reading: Tim Winton, Henry Lawson Story Structure: Beginnings		CUFWRT302A - 1, 2
3	Sourcing: Fairy Tales  Reading: Little Red Riding Hood, The Sleeping Beauty, Charles Perrault, Fairy Tales Story Structure: Characters Story workshop processes, conventions and ethics		CUFWRT302A – 1, 2
4	Sourcing: Fairy Tales (cont’d)  Reading: Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella Story Structure: Inciting incidents  Story workshops	Write Simple Stories, Assessment 1: Workshopping	CUFWRT302A – 1, 2,
5	Sourcing: Tragedy Reading: Aristotle, Aristophanes, E M Forster, Linda Aronson Story Structure: Conflict  Story workshops	Write a Simple Story, Assessment 1: Workshopping	CUFWRT302A – 1, 2, 3
6	Sourcing: Myth  Reading: Joseph Campbell, Christopher Vogler  Story Structure: Climax  Story workshops	Write a Simple Story, Assessment 1: Workshopping	CUFWRT302A - 1, 2, 3  CUFWRT402A 2, 3, 4
7	Sourcing: Allegory Reading: Plato’s The Cave  Story Structure: Endings   Story workshops	Write a Simple Story, Assessment 1: Workshopping	CUFWRT302A  1, 2, 3  CUFWRT402A - 2, 3, 4
8	Sourcing: Place  Viewing: North By Northwest  Story Structure: Emplacement Story workshops	Write a Simple Story Assessment 1: Workshopping	CUFWRT302A - 1, 2, 3, 4
9	The Moth Sourcing: Objects   Extended Story Structure: Characterisation, Complex Character Development, Motivation Summative Assessment 2 (Write Extended Stories) explained.  Story workshops		CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3, 4
10	Sourcing: Travel  Extended Story Structure: Time, Analysis  Reading: Helen Garner, Lisa Dethridge  Story workshops	Write a Simple Story Assessment 2 Due: Redrafted Story	CUFWRT402A - 2, 3
11	Sourcing: Time Extended Story Structure:    Reading: Story of your Life, Ted Chiang Story Workshops	Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Tell a story	CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3
Mid-semester break: 18–29 September
12	Sourcing: the fantastic Extended Story Structure: Set-up, Payoff, Antagonists  Reading: Life and Death in the Southside Pavilion, Peter Carey Story workshop	Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Tell a story	CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3
13	Extended Story Structure: Mystery, Suspense, Irony  Reading: Robert McKee  Story workshops	Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Tell a story	CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3
14	Sourcing: Imagery  Extended Story Structure: Upping the Stakes  Stories for feature film  Reading: Barbara Baynton  Story workshops	Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Tell a story	CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3
15	Action, Stillness  Extended Story Structure: Sub-text, suspension of action  Reading: Colm Toíbín, Adrian Martin  Story workshops	Write an Extended Story Assessment 1: Tell a story	CUFWRT402A -  1, 2, 3
16	Extended Story Structure: Framing, POV, Story about Story Reading: TBC           Story workshops	Write an Extended Story Assessment 2 Due: Redrafted story	CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3, 4

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Any extra resources will be provided on the online Blackboard or by your teacher.

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 all of the following pieces of assessments to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment (refer to Blackboard for assessment criteria).

CUFWRT302A Write a Simple Story 
For the assessment, you will write a story of between 1500 and 2000 words, present it for workshopping in class and develop it into a final version. The subject of your story will be ‘tempt’.

Assessment 1: Workshop a Story. Dates to be scheduled (Weeks 4–8).
Workshop dates are to be confirmed with your teacher early on in the semester. One week before the workshop date, email your story to your teacher for distribution to the whole class. Your story will then be workshopped in class, through a structured feedback process facilitated by the teacher, and undertaken to agreed guidelines.

Assessment 2: Redraft a Story. Due: Thursday 7 September
For this assessment, you will present a 2000-word redraft of your first story that incorporates the feedback you received in the workshop, and further develops its themes, plot, characters, language and ideas. You will also submit 200-word statement that reflects on the story’s development.

CUFWRT402A Write an Extended Story 
In this unit you will be challenged to tell and write stories that integrate character with theme and plot in greater depth, and also experiment with structure. For the assessment, you will write a story of between 2000 and 2500 words, present it for workshopping in class and develop it into a final version. The subject of your story will be ‘lose’.

Assessment 1: Tell a Story. Dates to be scheduled (Weeks 11–15).

For this assessment, you will tell a story to class. You story will take between five and ten minutes to tell. 

Dates are to be confirmed with your teacher early on in the semester. 

Your story will then be workshopped in class, through a structured feedback process facilitated by the teacher.

Assessment 2: Redraft Story. Due: Thursday 2 November
For this assessment, you will present a 2000 to 2500 word written version of the story you told to class. It will incorporate the feedback you received in the workshop, and will further develop its themes, plot, characters, language and ideas. You will also submit 200-word statement that reflects on the story’s development.

Once you have demonstrated competency, your final stories in both units will be graded (refer to Blackboard for grading rubric).

Grades used in this unit are as follows:

• 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

For further information on the assessment and grading criteria, please refer to the course blackboard site.

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

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

How to submit work
Your assessment brief will specify how you should submit your work – as hard copy, digital copy or electronically through Blackboard. When you submit your work, you must include a declaration of authorship. 

For submissions on Blackboard, you need to agree to an assessment declaration when you submit.

For all other submissions, you must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=x3ddsmsrwa1hz

Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. We strongly advise 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.

We request that you speak to your teacher if regular attendance becomes difficult.

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.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1

Student progress
Monitoring academic progress is helps us to assist you in achieving your learning potential. 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-progress

Adjustments to assessment
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.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment

Academic integrity and plagiarism
Academic integrity is about the honest presentation of work that is your own. RMIT University has a clear policy on plagiarism (see web page for more detail).

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
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.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview