Course Title: Write simple stories

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2018

Course Code: COMM7347C

Course Title: Write simple stories

School: 345H Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6160 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email: mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Rachel Matthews

Email: rachel.matthews@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 30

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 Simple 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 Simple Stories delivers the skills, craft and knowledge required to write short stories.

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


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAWRT302 Write simple stories

Element:

1. Clarify storytelling requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Discuss storytelling briefs, including target audience, format, timelines and delivery platforms, with relevant personnel 1.2 Identify purpose of dialogue, characters, point of view and setting to structure storylines 1.3 Discuss visual and aural storytelling structures that may meet the requirements of briefs with relevant personnel

Element:

2. Prepare to write stories

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Research stories from a range of creative works that may inspire story ideas 2.2 Research subject areas using a variety of information sources 2.3 Experiment with linear and non-linear storyline structures 2.4 Use imagination to develop ideas for characters, plots and settings 2.5 Develop ideas for scenarios, contexts and situations in which characters act, react and resolve 2.6 Select story structure and content that best meets requirements of briefs 2.7 Seek feedback from relevant personnel on proposed story and refine approach as required

Element:

3. Draft stories

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Use a creative writing style appropriate to specified stories 3.2 Use appropriate software tools to draft stories 3.3 Use correct grammar, punctuation and accurate spelling 3.4 Proofread copy to check for spelling, grammatical, typographic and other errors 3.5 Submit draft stories to relevant personnel for feedback and amend as required 3.6 Adopt safe ergonomic practices when using screens and keyboards for long periods of time

Element:

4. Refine stories

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Evaluate stories in line with agreed criteria 4.2 Check stories comply with laws and codes of practice relevant to broadcasting and publication 4.3 Discuss and confirm additional requirements or modifications to stories with relevant personnel 4.4 Complete necessary amendments within agreed timelines


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:

  • teacher directed group activities/projects
  • peer teaching and class presentations
  • group discussion
  • class exercises
  • reading of excerpts of writings and set texts to provide examples of writing elements
  • workshopping of students’ stories
  1. Out-of-class activities:
  • independent project based work
  • writing and reading assignments
  • online and other research
  • independent study


Teaching Schedule

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

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs.

 

Week

Class Content

Assessment Due

Competency and Elements

1

July 5

Introduction to Storytelling. Explanation of course content and overview of assessment.

Task 1 Oral Timetable TBC

Simple Stories

CUFWRT302A - 1

CUFWRT402A - 1 
 

2

July 12

Sourcing: Ordinary Things (The Moth)
Story Structure: Beginnings 

Simple Stories

CUFWRT302A - 1, 2 

3

July 19

Sourcing: Fairy Tales 
Story Structure: Characters
Story workshop processes, conventions and ethics

Simple stories

CUFWRT302A – 1, 2 

4

July 26

Sourcing: Believability
Story Structure: Inciting incidents 
Story workshops

Write a Simple Story Assessment Task 1 Due: Tell a simple story – in class

Timetable for Assessment Task 2 Workshopping TBC

CUFWRT302A – 1, 2,

5

August 2

Sourcing: Tragedy
Story Structure: Conflict 
Story workshops

 

Breakdown of Task 2

SImple Stories

CUFWRT302A – 1, 2, 3 

 

6

August 9

Story workshops

Write a Simple Story, Assessment 2: Workshopping CUFWRT302A – 1, 2, 3 

7

August 16

Sourcing: Myth 
Story Structure: Climax 
Workshops

Write a Simple Story, Assessment 2: Workshopping

CUFWRT302A 
1, 2, 3 
CUFWRT402A - 2, 3, 4 

8

August 23

Sourcing: Allegory
Story Structure: Endings

Presentation of Write an Extended Story assessment tasks

Write a Simple Story Assessment Task 2 Due: Write a simple story and reflective statement

500-600 word story (200 word review)

CUFWRT302A - 1, 2, 3, 4 

CUFWRT402A -
2, 3 

9

August 30

 

Sourcing: Place 
Story Structure: Emplacement

Story Research

Theme: Lose

CUFWRT402A -
2, 3
 

10

Sep 6

 

Sourcing: Objects  

Story Structure: Drafting

Write an Extended Story

 
CUFWRT402A -
1, 2, 3
 
 

11

Sep 13

Sourcing: Time

Story Structure: Space

 

Discuss Task Two – Timetable TBC Workshopping

Write an Extended StoryAssessment Task 1 Due: Create a story plan


CUFWRT402A -
1, 2, 3

 

 

Semester Break Monday Sep 17 - Friday Sep 28



 

 

12
 

Oct 4


Workshopping

Write an Extended Story

           

CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3
             

13

Oct 11

Reviewing and editing

Write an Extended Story


CUFWRT402A - 
1, 2, 3
 

14

Oct 18

Course Review

Final class

Write an Extended StoryTask 2 Due: Write and workshop a short story

2000 word story
 


CUFWRT402A - 
1, 2, 3
 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None


References

References will be available on Canvas


Other Resources


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 both competencies 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 Canvas for assessment criteria).

 

CUFWRT302A Write a Simple Story 

This Unit of Competency (Write Simple Stories) is delivered as the first in a two-unit cluster sequence in which a number of pieces of writing are produced across both ‘Write Extended Stories; and this Unit ‘Write Simple Stories’.

Assessment 1: Tell a simple story

Due Date: Week 4 July 26 (notes on Canvas; present in class)

You will research, write and present a 3–4 minute (approximately 400–500-word) story in class. Your story must be true, drawn from your own experience, 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. If you choose not to use notes, you must still write a draft to upload via Canvas.

This task is the first of 2 assessment tasks you need to complete satisfactorily, in order to be deemed competent for this unit. Completing this Storytelling task allows you to demonstrate your ability to present a simple story to a brief; craft a beginning, middle and end; and pay attention to plot, pace and proofreading.

Assessment 2: Write A Simple Story and Reflective Statement

Due Date: Week 8 Sunday August 23 (submit on Canvas)

You will write a 500–600-word drafted story and a 200-word reflective statement.

For your story of 500–600 words, you will take the kernel of your true story developed for Assessment #1 and, through a series of classroom activities, fictionalise it and present it as a written story in a non-linear mode. You are expected to bring a draft of the story along to class to workshop with others before submission.

CUFWRT402A Write an Extended Story 
This Unit of Competency (Write Extended Stories) is delivered as the second in a two-unit cluster sequence in which a number of pieces of writing are produced across both ‘Write Simple Stories; and this Unit ‘Write Extended stories’.

Assessment 1: Create A Story Plan

Due Date: Week 11 Sunday September 16 (submit on Canvas)

In this assessment you will research a range of stories and write a story plan in preparation to write a 2000-word short story for a literary journal or magazine. The topic for your story is ‘lose’ but it is up to you to define your audience, purpose, style, tone and structure.

Assessment 2: Write and Workshop a Short Story.

Due Date: Week 15 Sunday October 21 (submit on Canvas)
In this assessment you will write a 2000-word short story on the topic or theme ‘lose’. The story will be suited to the literary journal or magazine specified in your story plan (Assessment #1). You will also workshop this story with your teacher and the class, so you can redraft the story for final delivery.

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

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


Assessment Matrix

This is available from your course coordinator.

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.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) 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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview