Word length: 1300 words

You may select any one (1) novel from the text list to complete and submit a Portfolio of three (3) activities as listed below. Note: the novel you select for this assessment cannot be used for Assessments 2 or 3.

You should complete one Portfolio Activity from each week from Weeks 3, 4 and 5 in the Weekly Study Guides for this assessment item, and submit a total of three (3) activities for grading in Week 5. Each Study Guide will provide you with information and resources to complete the activity.

Week 3 Activity: Written reflection (you may present this as a reflective journal entry, a letter to the editor or an opinion piece for a magazine)

Week 4 Activity: Themes interview/podcast/vodcast (you may present this as a written script, audio or video file)

Week 5 Activity: Critical analysis (written response to a discussion question)

Task Description:

Part 1 (optional): You should complete all three (3) activities from Weeks 3-5 on a weekly basis. You will be able to receive feedback on your Week 3 and 4 activities by submitting them to the blog links provided, allowing you to revise them before final submission. The blogs will only be open for submissions until Sunday of each relevant week and you will receive feedback by the following week.

Part 2 (compulsory): You should collate your three (3) Portfolio Activities from Weeks 3-5 and submit to Moodle by the due date in Week 5. The creative presentation of your Portfolio is up to you, however, please use 12 point font and double line spacing for written submissions.

While it is optional to complete Part 1, you are encouraged to complete these activities on a weekly basis so you have sufficient time to complete them, and to take advantage of the opportunity to receive feedback to assist in improving your grade.

The word count allows for a variation of +/- 10%. It excludes the cover page and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

This assignment will be evaluated using the following assessment criteria:

• Identification and analysis of the novel’s main themes;
• Understanding of the novel’s historical and social context;
• Demonstration of insightful reflection and critical thinking in the activity responses;
• Inclusion of evidence from the text and scholarly sources, with appropriate acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) style;
• Clear and effective writing, with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation OR clear and effectual speaking suited to the audience, as applicable.

Length: 1500 words

You may select any one (1) novel from the text list for this assessment. Note: The novel you select for this assessment cannot be those used for Assessments 1 or 3.

Task Description

Writing and publishing book reviews can enhance your professional profile, and may be an item you could add to your portfolio. For this assessment you are required to find a literary newspaper or journal that accepts book reviews, then write a Book Review targeted at that publication based on a close reading of your selected novel.

You should model your review on the kind of book reviews you find in your literary newspaper or journal (irrespective of whether they only accept current titles). DO NOT model your review on the kinds of reviews you might find on the GoodReads or Amazon.com websites. These reviews tend to be solely focused on whether the book is enjoyable to read or not; in your review, you will be thinking much more broadly about the strengths and weaknesses of the book and its contribution to literary culture.

Some examples of appropriate publications include (but are not limited to):

• Review section of the Weekend Australian
• Weekend supplements to The Age or the Sydney Morning Herald
• Australian Book Review
• Sydney Review of Books
• New York Review of Books
• London Review of Books
• Times Literary Supplement
• Kirkus Reviews
• TEXT Journal

Your Book Review should follow the model/guidelines of your chosen publication, as applicable, and cover the following points (at minimum):

• A brief pitch to the publication outlining why it fits their review section (no more than 250 words, included before Book Review)
• A brief description of the novel/plot
• A brief discussion of its historical, social and/or literary context
• An analysis of its main themes
• An evaluation of its significance: e.g. is it an important work of literature? If so, why? If not, why not?

The word count allows for a variation of +/- 10%. It excludes the cover page and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Identification and analysis of the novel’s main themes
• Understanding of the novel’s historical and social context
• Cogent evaluation of the work’s significance
• Inclusion of evidence from the text and 2-3 scholarly sources, with appropriate acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) style
• Clear and effective writing, with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation

Length: 2000 words

You may select any two (2) novels from the Text List for this assessment. Note: The novels you select for this assessment cannot be those used for Assessments 1 or 2.

Task Description

This assessment will allow you to pull all the skills you have learnt this term together in exploring a topic of interest to you in relation to the Modern Novel. Referring to the textual analysis and essay writing resources provided, write an essay on one (1) of the following topics:

1. Gender and sexuality are key issues explored in many modern novels, sometimes transgressively so. Explore the ways in which your two selected novels deal with gender and sexuality.
2. Modern literature uses a variety of narrative techniques and multiple points of view to generate a complex portrait of the human psyche. Discuss with reference to your two selected novels.
3. The modern novel challenges and even rewrites official versions of history, bringing to light perspectives, experiences and points of view that might otherwise remain hidden. Discuss with reference to your two selected novels.

Students may consult with the lecturer to create your own analytical topic in relation to the Modern Novel, and discuss with reference to your two selected novels. Please email the Unit Coordinator for approval of your topic. Topics must be approved at least one week before the due date for this option.

The essay must include in-depth textual analyses of your chosen novels as well as references to a range of scholarly sources (minimum of 5). Please note that all references need to be academic (i.e. peer-reviewed journal articles and/or scholarly books), obtained using academic databases and/or library resources. Wiki and other non-scholarly references from the Internet will not be counted in the minimum requirement. You should acknowledge all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style. Written submissions should be in 12 point font with double line spacing.

The word count allows a +/- 10% variation and is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

This assignment will be marked using the following evaluation criteria:

• Development of a convincing and coherent argument in response to the question
• Engagement with key concepts relating to the modern novel
• The relevance, insight and depth of textual analysis of the chosen novels, supported by paraphrases and quotations from the text
• Effective use of a range of academic sources (minimum of 5) to support both argument and analysis, with appropriate acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style.
• Clear and effective writing, with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation