Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Novel
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2011
Course Code: COMM5410
Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Novel
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5181 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact : Brendan Lee
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368
Course Contact Email:brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Dr Olga Lorenzo
Email: olga.lorenza@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 85
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
Enrolment into this course at RMIT requires the completion of Develop Writing and Editing Skills. Produce Writings – Novel or Writing for YA.
The competency, Refine Writing & Editing Techniques -- Novel is taught and assessed alongside the following competencies:
CUVCOR04A - Originate concept for own work and conduct critical discourse
CUVCOR13A - Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform artistic practice
CUECOR01B - Manage own work and learning
CUSADM03A - Manage a project
CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
CUSRAD02A - Conduct research
Through the development of these competencies, you gain the skills needed to manage your work and learning while responding to a project brief. You research the work of other writers and publishers and apply your findings to your own project through the development of a concept into a written work.
Course Description
This unit covers the knowledge and skills required to research and experiment with writing and editing techniques while working on a novel. The emphasis in this course is to extend a novel in progress, concentrating on further development of plot, themes, characterisation and dialogue.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Novel |
Element: |
1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media |
Performance Criteria: |
. |
Element: |
2. Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings |
Performance Criteria: |
. |
Element: |
3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work |
Performance Criteria: |
. |
Element: |
4. Plan the writing |
Performance Criteria: |
. |
Element: |
5. Realise writings |
Performance Criteria: |
. |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to refine the concept of a novel and revise an early draft, moving the novel towards completion. You will also be able to refine a synopsis.
Details of Learning Activities
* out-of-class activities such as writing from life, writing and reading assignments, independent study
lectures/informal discussions of novel craft
possible guest lecturers
peer teaching and class presentations
group discussions
online and other research
work-shopping
independent project-based work
teacher directed group activities/projects
class exercises to review discussions/lectures
work-shopping of students’ own projects
reading of excerpts of writings and set texts to provide examples of writing elements; student
* analysis/critique of students’ work
Teaching Schedule
Week |
Class Content | Competency & Elements | |
Week 1 | Introductions. Explanation of course structure and assessment. Discussion of student and teacher expectations. Writing exercise |
CUSADM03A 1,2 CUVCOR04A 1,2 VBP553 1 |
|
Week 2 | Introduction to the subject, continued. Explanation of the year’s work and assessment. Initial writing exercises. Texts discussed |
CUVCOR04A – 1,2 CUSADM03A 1,2,3; CUECOR01B – 1,3 CUSRAD02A - 1-4 VBP553 1,2 |
|
Week 3 | Novel Beginnings, reviewed Workshopping students’ beginnings Discussion of conventional and non-conventional beginnings Writing exercises on beginnings |
VBP553 1,2,3; CUSRAD02A - 1-2 CUVC CUSADM03A 1 -4; CUVCOR13A – 1,2 CUVDES05A - 1-5 CUVCOR04A – 1,2 |
|
Week 4 | Voice and Point of View, reviewed Lesson on point of view and tense in novel writing Writing exercises experimenting with PofV Workshopping students’ work in class |
VBP553 1,2,3; CUVDES05A -1-5 CUSRAD02A - 1-4 CUECOR01B - 2 CUSADM03A – 1,2 |
|
Week 5 | Voice and Point of View Discussion of Point of View cont Writing exercises Workshopping |
Notes for all 4-minute presentations on set texts DUE today | VBP553 1,2,3; |
Week 6 | Public holiday | ||
Week 7 | Rhythm and Pace Elements of pace examined, including scenes, summary, stretch, ellipsis Writing exercises experimenting with rhythm and pace Presentations by students on set texts exploring elements of craft Workshopping |
VBP553 1,2,3 | |
Week 8 | Rhythm and Pace Writing exercises experimenting with rhythm Presentations by students on set texts exploring elements of craft Workshopping |
VBP553 1,2,3; CUVCOR04A – 1,2,3 CUECOR01B - 3 |
|
Week 9 | Rhythm and Pace Writing exercises experimenting with rhythm Presentations by students on set texts exploring elements of craft Workshopping |
VBP553 1,2,3; CUVCOR04A – 1-3 CUECOR01B – 1-3 |
|
Week 10 | Show, don’t Tell Discussion of “show, don’t tell” as craft Writing exercises experimenting with “show, don’t tell” Presentations by students on set texts exploring elements of craft Workshopping |
CUVCOR04A -1-2 CUVDES05A – 1-5 |
|
Week 11 | Show, don’t Tell, continued Writing exercises on “show, don’t tell” cont Presentations by students on set texts discussing elements of craft in novel Workshopping |
VBP 553 1-4; CUSRAD02A – 1-5CUVCOR13A – 1-3 |
|
Week 12 | Show, don’t Tell, cont. Class presentations continued Workshopping, Writing exercises |
VBP 553 1-4; CUVCOR04A – 1-3 CUECOR01B – 1-3 |
|
Week 13 | Dialogue Examination of dialogue and character in classic novels Writing exercises to do with dialogue Class presentations Workshoping |
500-word synopsis and 2000-word excerpt DUE TODAY | VBP 553 1-4; CUSRAD02A - 1-4 CUVCOR04A -1-3 |
Week 14 | Dialogue, cont Writing from life Workshopping presentations |
VBP 553 1-4; CUVCOR04A – 1,2 |
|
Week 15 | Dialogue Writing exercises to do with dialogue Class presentations Workshoping |
VBP 553 1-4; CUVCOR04A – 1,2 VBP553 -1 CUSADM03A - 4 |
|
Week 16 | Characterisation Examination of character and techniques for developing character Writing exercises to do with characterisation Class presentations Workshoping |
VBP 553 1-4; CUSRAD02A – 1-3 CUVCOR13A – 1-3 CUECOR01B – 1-3 |
|
Week 17 | Assessment | ||
Semester 2 | |||
Week 1 | Review of Semester 1 and introduction to Semester 2 work | VBP 553 1-4; CUVCOR04A 4 CUSADM03A1-4; CUECOR01B – 1-3 CUSRAD02A - 1-4 |
|
Week 2 | Place and Atmosphere Discussion of craft Class presentations Writing exercises Workshopping |
VBP 553 1-4; CUSADM03A1-4; CUVCOR04A – 1-3 CUECOR01B – 1-3; |
|
Week 3 | Outline and synopsis Writing exercises Workshopping |
VBP 553 1-4; CUSADM03A1-4; |
|
Week 4 | Politics and the Novel Discussion of craft Class presentations Writing exercises Workshopping |
VBP 553 1-4; CUVCOR13A – 1-3 |
|
Week 5 | Presentations on set text Class presentations Workshopping Writing exercises |
Notes for all 4-minute presentations on set texts DUE in class this week | VBP 553 1-4; CUSRAD02A – 1-2 CUVCOR13A – 1-3 |
Week 6 | Presentations on set text Class presentations Workshopping Writing exercises |
VBP 553 1-4; CUVCOR04A -1-4 CUECOR01B -3; CUVDES05A – 1-5 |
|
Week 7 | Realism, post-modernism Discussion of craft Class presentations Workshopping Writing exercises |
CUSADM03A 1,2,3; VBP 553 1-4; |
|
Week 8 | Presentations on set text Form and structure Workshopping Writing exercises |
CUSRAD02A – 1-4 CUVCOR13A – 1-3 VBP 553 1-4; |
|
Week 9 | Presentations on set text Class presentations Workshopping Writing exercises |
CUVCOR13A – 1-3 VBP 553 1-4; |
|
Week 10 | Metaphor, symbolism , discussion Class presentations Workshopping Writing exercises |
CUSADM03A 1-4 VBP 553 1-4; |
|
Week 11 | Metaphor, symbolism Class presentations Workshopping Writing exercises |
VBP 553 1-4; CUVCOR13A – 1-3 CUECOR01B – 1-3 CUSADM03A 1,2,3; |
|
Week 12 | Characterisation Writing exercises to do with characterisation Class presentations Workshoping |
VBP 553 1-4; CUVCOR13A – 1-3 CUECOR01B – 1-3 CUSADM03A 1,2,3; |
|
Week 13 |
Endings; Overview of structure Workshopping Writing exercises |
500-word synopsis and 1,500-word excerpt DUE today | VBP 553 1-4; CUSADM03A 4 CUVCOR04A 3,4 |
Week 14 | The publishing industry | VBP553 3 CUSADM03A 2; CUVCOR04A 3,4 |
|
Week 15 |
Agents and the publishing industry Writing in the cold – Ted Solotaroff handout |
CUVCOR13A – 1-3 CUECOR01B – 2,3 VBP553 3 CUVCOR04A 3,4 |
|
Week 16 | Holiday | ||
Week 17 | Assessment |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
For Olga Lorenzo: |
|
Semester 2: |
References
George, E. 2004. Write Away |
9780060560423 |
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, workshopping, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing project.
Assessment Tasks
Semester 1
1. Workshopping: Workshop 1,500-word novel extract .
Roster will follow roll
Photocopies of work to be workshopped need to be arranged or brought to class.
DUE DATE: as rostered by teacher (10%)
2. Presentation: A 4-minute presentation on one of the texts set for Semester 1 on a single aspect of craft or a single writing convention.
Students will hand in presentation notes by the due date and must be ready to do the presentation any time after this as per the teacher’s request. Complying with time limit and responding to brief is a vital part of the assessment
DUE DATE: Mon March 7 (10%)
3. Synopsis and Novel Excerpt: A maximum 500-word synopsis and a 2000-word excerpt of novel edited to publishable standard.
Presentation as per industry requirements:
Single-sided printing 11/2 or double spacing
12-pt type
Numbered pages
Wide margins
Synopsis as per industry requirement
Exact word count to be included
DUE DATE: Mon May 9 (30%)
Semester 2
4. Workshopping: Workshop 1,500-word novel extract Photocopies of work to be workshopped need to be arranged or brought to class.
Roster will follow roll
Photocopies of work to be workshopped need to be arranged or brought to class.
DUE DATE: as rostered by teacher (10%)
5. Presentation: A 4-minute presentation on one of the texts set for Semester 2 on a single aspect of craft or a single writing convention.
Students will hand in presentation notes by the due date and must be ready to do the presentation any time after this as per the teacher’s request. Complying with time limit and responding to brief is a vital part of the assessment
DUE DATE: Mon August 1 (10%)
6. Synopsis and Novel Excerpt: A maximum 500-word synopsis and a 2000-word excerpt of novel edited to publishable standard.
Presentation as per industry requirements:
Single-sided printing 11/2 or double spacing
12-pt type
Numbered pages
Wide margins
Synopsis as per industry requirement
Exact word count to be included
DUE DATE: Mon October 10 (30%)
To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
For further information on the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
Grades which apply to curriculum-based courses:
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail
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
Feedback:
You will receive spoken and/or written feedback by teacher on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Late Submissions
Please refer to the course blackboard site for policy information including information on late submissions and plagiarism
Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;
Course Overview: Access Course Overview