Course Title: Write extended stories

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2019

Course Code: COMM7348C

Course Title: Write extended stories

School: 345T 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: 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:

CUAWRT402 Write extended stories

Element:

1. Analyse extended story writing requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify 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 the writing purpose 1.3 Decide on appropriate structuring technique for extended story writing task 1.4 Discuss possible visual and aural storytelling structures with relevant personnel, if appropriate

Element:

2. Prepare to write extended stories

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Research 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 story structure, style, techniques and content that best meet requirements of project to engage target audience 2.7 Adopt safe ergonomic practices when using screens and keyboards for long periods of time 2.8 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 Confirm content complies with laws and codes of practice relevant to broadcasting and publication 3.5 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 criteria 4.2 Discuss and confirm additional requirements or modifications to the story with relevant personnel 4.3 Complete necessary amendments as required within agreed timelines 4.4 Evaluate story writing process and personal performance for 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:

  • 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

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

Competency and Elements

1

 

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

Simple Stories

Task 1 Oral Timetable TBC

CUFWRT302A - 1

CUFWRT402A - 1 
 

2

 

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

 

CUFWRT302A - 1, 2 

3

 

Sourcing: The Everyday
Story Structure: Characters
Story workshop processes, conventions and ethics

 

CUFWRT302A – 1, 2 

4

 


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

 

Story workshops

Breakdown of Task 2

Write a Simple Story, Assessment 2: Workshopping discussion

Final oral presentations

CUFWRT302A – 1, 2, 3 

 

6

 

Sourcing: Narrative focus

Story Structure: Point of View

  CUFWRT302A – 1, 2, 3 

7

 

Sourcing: Myth 
Story Structure: Climax 
Workshops

Write a Simple Story, Assessment 2: Workshopping

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

8

 

Sourcing: Allegory
Story Structure: Endings

Presentation of Write an Extended Story assessment tasks

Write a Simple Story Assessment Task 2 Due: Redrafted Story

CUFWRT302A - 1, 2, 3, 4 

CUFWRT402A -
2, 3 

 

Mid-semester break: Monday 2 September to Friday 6 September inclusive

 

 

9

 

Sourcing: Place 
Story Structure: Emplacement

 

Story Research for Write Extended Stories

Theme: Lose

CUFWRT402A -
2, 3
 

10

 

Sourcing: Objects  

Story Structure: Drafting

 

 
CUFWRT402A -
1, 2, 3
 
 

11

 

Sourcing: Time

Story Structure: Space

Discuss Task Two – Timetable TBC Workshopping

Write an Extended Story Assessment Task 1 due: Create a story plan


CUFWRT402A -
1, 2, 3

12
 

 


Workshopping

 

           

CUFWRT402A - 1, 2, 3
             

13

 

Reviewing and editing

Workshopping 

 


CUFWRT402A - 
1, 2, 3
 

14

 

 

Course Review and final workshopping

Final class

 
 
 


CUFWRT402A - 
1, 2, 3
 

15

 

No scheduled class

 

 Write an Extended Story Task 2 due: Workshopped short story

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None


References

References will be available on Canvas


Other Resources

See Canvas site 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 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).

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. You will have one opportunity to resubmit your work. 

CUFWRT302A Write Simple Stories 

Write Simple Stories is delivered as the first unit in a two-unit cluster sequence in which a number of pieces of writing are produced across both ‘Write Simple Stories' and ‘Write Extended Stories’.

Assessment 1: Tell a simple story

Due Date: Week 3 or 4 in class (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.

Assessment 2: Write A Simple Story and Reflective Statement

Due Date: Week 8 (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 Extended Stories 
Write Extended Stories is delivered as the second unit in a two-unit cluster sequence in which a number of pieces of writing are produced across both ‘Write Simple Stories' and ‘Write Extended stories’.

Assessment 1: Create A Story Plan

Due Date: Week 11 (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 (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, you will receive an overall grade for the course (refer to Canvas for the graded rubric with specified criteria). This rubric will relate to all assessments and your overall performance in the course.

 

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