Course Title: Write simple stories

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2022

Course Code: COMM7347C

Course Title: Write simple stories

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus 


Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6160 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Alan Woodruff

Course Contact Phone: +61399254307

Course Contact Email: alan.woodruff@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Rachel Matthews

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

In this course, you learn through:

1. In-class activities:

  • lectures 
  • teacher directed group activities/projects 
  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures 
  • peer teaching and class presentations 
  • group discussion 
  • class exercises 

2. Out-of-class activities:

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


Teaching Schedule

Syllabus: Semester 1, 2022

Week

Class Content

Assessment Due

Competency and Elements

1

Feb 7


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

Assessment Task 1: Tell a simple story - Oral Timetable TBC - discussion

CUFWRT302 - 1

CUFWRT402 - 1 
 

2

Feb 14

Character and voice

Oral storytelling preparation

CUFWRT302 - 1, 2 

3

Feb 21


Setting and Pace


Assessment Task One:

Oral storytelling begins (3 minutes)

CUFWRT302 – 1, 2 

4

Feb 28



Oral stories (cont.)


Assessment Task Two: 500/600 word story/reflective statement - discussion

CUFWRT302 – 1, 2,

5

March 7



Oral stories (cont.)

Workshop groups announced for class workshopping (Assessment Task Two)




 

6

March 14

[Note: No class Monday 14 March: Labour Day]



7

March 21


Story workshops

Giving and receiving feedback




Assessment Task 2:

Class workshopping


CUFWRT302 – 1, 2, 3 

8

March 28


Beginnings

Class workshopping (cont)

CUFWRT302 
1, 2, 3 
CUFWRT402 - 2, 3, 4 

9

April 4

Conflict 



CUFWRT302 
1, 2, 3 
CUFWRT402 - 2, 3, 4 

10

April 11

Dialogue, language and style 

Assessment Task 2 Due: Write a simple story and reflective statement 500-600 words

Workshop groups distributed for weeks 12/13 (beginning draft to your 2000 word story, Assignment 4). A discussion thread link will be distributed.



Mid-semester break from Friday 15 April to Monday 25 April inclusive

 Sharing drafts online in discussion groups for 2000 word story. 


11

April 25



[Note: No class Monday 25 April: Anzac Day]



Sharing drafts online in discussion groups for 2000 word story. 


 
CUFWRT402 -
1, 2, 3
 
 

12

May 2


Experimental Writing

Question Time: Assessment Task 3 Story Plan


CUFWRT402 -
1, 2, 3

13

May 9


 


Sourcing: Endings

Workshopping

Assessment Task 3 Due: Create a story plan

Final workshops for 'Wonder' story, Bring copies for your group.

           

CUFWRT402 - 1, 2, 3
             

14

May 16


Reviewing and editing

Workshopping reviews

Please ensure you have given written feedback to your classmates as annotations on their work and posted these in your group's discussion link. 

Your feedback is a compulsory part of the assessment. 


CUFWRT402 - 
1, 2, 3
 

15

May 23



Course review and social time

Assessment Task 4 Due: Write an extended story
 


CUFWRT402 - 
1, 2, 3
 

16

May 30


No scheduled class



 




Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You will require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

The Learning Lab
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub 



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

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.

Assessment 1: Tell a simple story

Due Date: Week 5

Completing this 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 10

Plan, write, draft and revise a story to a brief and demonstrate your critical thinking as a writer making conscious decisions about their practice.

Assessment 3: Create a Story Plan

Due Date: Week 13

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. Completing this task allows you to demonstrate your understanding of what’s required to prepare for writing a short story for publication to a deadline.

Assessment 4: Write an extended story

Due Date: Week 15

You are required to write a 2000-word fictional story on the topic ‘lose’ but can interpret the topic in any way you wish. Treat this as an opportunity to work with story outside of the parameters imposed by screenwriting formats. Screenwriters need to be excellent storytellers, and this task asks you to write a longer, more complex story than the stories you have written in Assessment Tasks 1 & 2.

Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator.

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

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.

Information about your studies
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):

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

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

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.  

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

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview