Overview
This unit builds on the writing techniques and experience acquired in Beginning Creative Writing. In this unit you will undertake a writing project which may take the form of a short story, play, suite of poems or any approved mixture of these, using experimental writing techniques. The Unit is suitable for intending teachers and students interested in advancing their knowledge in creative writing practice.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
WRIT11023
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2023
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE Evaluation Report
Students reported some of the links were not working.
Check links more frequently to ensure they have not become obsolete.
Feedback from SUTE Evaluation Report Personal Reflection
Feedback on creative writing is a valuable part of learning.
Continue to provide valuable feedback to all students who participate in the live and online opportunities for feedback.
Feedback from Personal Reflection
Allow more opportunities for collaborative interaction
Add Microsoft Teams as a space where students can interact in real time and share files.
- Effectively apply elements of literary experimentation in the drafting, redrafting and final presentation of a sustained piece of creative writing to a professional standard.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|
1 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 0% | |
2 - Written Assessment - 45% | |
3 - Written Assessment - 55% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|
1 | |
1 - Communication | |
2 - Problem Solving | |
3 - Critical Thinking | |
4 - Information Literacy | |
5 - Team Work | |
6 - Information Technology Competence | |
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |
8 - Ethical practice | |
9 - Social Innovation | |
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 0% | ||||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 45% | ||||||||||
3 - Written Assessment - 55% |
Textbooks
The road to somewhere: A creative writing companion
Edition: 2nd (2014)
Authors: Graham, R., Newall, H., and Leach, H.
Red Globe Press/Palgrave Macmillan
New York New York , New York , USA
ISBN: 978-1-137-26357-5
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
The textbook was prescribed for WRIT11023 Beginning Creative Writing.
It may also be accessible online through the CQU Library.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
g.mitchell@cqu.edu.au
n.anae@cqu.edu.au
a.hickling@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction.
A voluntary Zoom session will be scheduled to discuss Assessment Item 1: The Proposal/Pitch. Please check the Virtual Classes tile for details. This session will be recorded and available for download soon thereafter. If you have questions about the assessment item, but cannot attend the Zoom session, please post your questions on the Q&A Forum.
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week One: Introduction.
Events and Submissions/Topic
1) Choose a form and publication for your creative writing project.
2) Commence drafting Assessment Item 1: Proposal/Pitch (due Tuesday Week 3). Please
refer to the assessment criteria to help you in creating your Proposal
(see assessment item description on the unit Moodle site)
Module/Topic
Throwing out the rulebook
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Two: Throwing out the rulebook.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Critical Reflection Journal
1) Continue drafting Assessment Item 1: Proposal/Pitch (due Tuesday next week).
Module/Topic
Stream of consciousness
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Three: Stream of consciousness.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Critical Reflection Journal
1) Commence work on your writing project.
2) Finalise and submit Assessment Item 1: Proposal/Pitch (due Tuesday this week). Double check the assessment item criteria to ensure your submission meets the item requirements.
3) Submit your first journal blog for Week 3 on the blog platform for this week. Remember, you are expected to submit a total of seven (7) weekly entries, on a weekly basis, over the course of the Term from Week 3 to Week 10. Each topic section of the e-Unit Moodle site includes a Blog platform for the respective weekly topics.
Assessment Item 1: Proposal/Pitch Due: Week 3 Tuesday (21 Mar 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Experimental writing
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Four: Experimental writing.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Critical Reflection Journal
1) Continue to work on your writing project.
2) Submit your journal blog for Week 4 on the blog platform for this week. Each topic section of the e-Unit Moodle site includes a Blog platform for the respective weekly topics.
Module/Topic
Multiple Viewpoint
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Five: Multiple Viewpoint.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Critical Reflection Journal
1) Continue to work on your writing project.
2) Submit your journal blog for Week 5 on the blog platform for this week. Each topic section of the e-Unit Moodle site includes a Blog platform for the respective weekly topics.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Realism / Impression / Expressionism
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Six: Realism / Impression / Expressionism.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Critical Reflection Journal
1) Continue to work on your writing project.
2) Submit your journal blog for Week 6 on the blog platform for this week. Each topic section of the e-Unit Moodle site includes a Blog platform for the respective weekly topics.
Module/Topic
Anti-Realism / Humour / Pathos
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Seven: Anti-Realism / Humour / Pathos.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Critical Reflection Journal
1) Continue to work on your writing project.
2) Submit your journal blog for Week 7 on the blog platform for this week. Each topic section of the e-Unit Moodle site includes a Blog platform for the respective weekly topics.
Module/Topic
Creative Nonfiction
A voluntary Zoom session is scheduled prior to the due date for Assessment Item 2: Critical Reflection Journal. Please check the moodle unit site (see 'Assessment' menu) for details. This session will be recorded and available for download soon thereafter. If you have questions about the assessment item, but cannot attend the Zoom session, please post your questions on the Q&A Forum.
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Eight: Creative Nonfiction.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Critical Reflection Journal
1) Continue to work on your writing project.
2) Submit your journal blog for Week 8 on the blog platform for this week. Each topic section of the e-Unit Moodle site includes a Blog platform for the respective weekly topics.
Module/Topic
Memoir
A voluntary Zoom session is scheduled prior to the due date for Assessment Item 3: Final Creative Artefact. Please check the moodle unit site (see 'Assessment' menu) for details. This session will be recorded and available for download soon thereafter. If you have questions about the assessment item, but cannot attend the Zoom session, please post your questions on the Q&A Forum.
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Nine: Memoir
Events and Submissions/Topic
Critical Reflection Journal
1) Continue to work on your writing project.
2) Submit your journal blog for Week 9 on the blog platform for this week. Each topic section of the e-Unit Moodle site includes a Blog platform for the respective weekly topics.
Module/Topic
Online Writing
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Ten: Online Writing.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Poetry Journal
1) Commence revising and fine-tuning your writing project.
2) Submit your final journal blog for Week 10 on the blog platform for this week. Each topic section of the e-Unit Moodle site includes a Blog platform for the respective weekly topics.
3) Finalise and submit your Critical Reflection Journal (due Friday this week). Remember to match your entries against the assessment criteria to ensure your work meets the requirements for the item.
NOTE: For submission of the assessment item, you will combine your 7 weekly entries into a single word document and submit to Moodle using the unit’s submission platform for this assessment item.
Assessment Item 2: Critical Reflection Journal Due: Week 10 Friday (19 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Publishing
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Eleven: Publishing
Events and Submissions/Topic
1) Continue revising and fine-tuning your writing project.
Module/Topic
Conclusion
Chapter
See Moodle site
Week Twelve: Conclusion.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Finalise and submit Written Assessment 3 - Final Creative Artefact. Remember to match your submission against the
assessment criteria to ensure your work meets the requirements for the
item.
Assessment Item 3: Final Creative Artefact Due: Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Word Count: 500 words
Marks: Pass/Fail
Students are required to develop a 500 word 'proposal/pitch' for a publication of their choice (e.g. Magazine, journal, literary review, etc.).
The 'proposal/pitch' will include an outline describing the basic themes, plot/story line or concept of the writing project for the Term and must be topic specific to the submission requirements of the chosen publication. The publication will dictate topic, tone, required images, word length, etc. The aim of the pitch is twofold: a) to show how the student's chosen topic fits the publication criteria; and b) to ensure the writing piece will be developed and written in a suitable and appropriate way. The proposal/pitch is the student's negotiation the topic with their lecturer.
The Pitch/Proposal is non-graded but it is a condition of the unit that the item must be submitted and approved. Your proposal/pitch must identify a publication of choice (e.g. Magazine, journal, literary review, etc.). Your creative writing project will be determined by the submission requirements of the chosen publication, but may take the form of a short story, play, suite of poems, a children's story, or any approved mixture of these, and must indicate a specific experimental writing technique to be used.
Your proposal/pitch should show evidence of research in regards to the chosen genre and form of your writing project, but should also show evidence of how your story, suite of poems, dramatic script, etc., will use experimental writing techniques, e.g., 'stream of consciousness, multiple viewpoint, realism, impressionism, etc., anti-realism, memoir,' among other types such as meta-fiction, Avant-pop, experimental life writing, or digital fiction, etc., (where relevant).
Your proposal needs to explain the standard to which your final piece/s aspires as well as showing that it is actually achievable and the sources you have consulted (these details will be mediated, to some degree, by the requirements of the chosen publication). As the creative component of the final assessment for this unit is 2000-2500 words in length, your project may be in the form of two-three pieces totaling 2000-2500 words (depending on the publication), or, one complete piece totaling 2000-2500 words (again, depending on the submission requirements of your chosen publication). You will be encouraged to actually submit your piece/pieces to the publication of choice, although this is not compulsory nor a condition of the unit.
Hot Tips: (include in your submission):
- A clear conceptualisation of the project taking into account the requirements of the unit and those of the publication of choice;
- A description of the 'standard' to which the work aspires based on research and the requirements of the named publication of choice (e.g., if you intend on writing a 'magic realism children's story' then state the indicators for this genre and the literary qualities that make your creative artefact a magic realist children's story and not some other genre);
- Explanation of the characteristics of the chosen genre and how the artefact contributes, reworks, experiments with and/or affirms these; Some idea of the method to be used in producing the artefact (i.e. beyond just sitting and writing - what research is needed, how will this influence what is written, timelines, publication requirements, etc.,);
- Where appropriate, a brief review of relevant subject matter (for example, if you intent to write a surrealist memoir based on a real historical figure, then some research on this figure and the context in which they lived would be appropriate as well as an indication if primary source material is actually available, etc.)
- Any other relevant detail relating to the intended writing project and the publication of choice.
NOTE: The specified word limit for this item (500 words) does not include the reference list or the week-by-week timeline. The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Week 3 Tuesday (21 Mar 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 5 Tuesday (4 Apr 2023)
The Proposal will be evaluated according to the extent to which:
- the proposal clearly identifies the publication of choice and includes a link to the publication's website
- the proposal evidences that it will carry-out a clearly articulated set of outcomes in reference to the genre and form of the writing project (e.g., writing the first chapter of a novel, writing a series of ten poems, writing a dramatic script, writing a short story, writing a children's book, etc.)
- the proposal identifies the specific publication of choice and the style in which the content of the creative artefact will be written (e.g., stream of consciousness, multiple viewpoint, realism, impressionism, etc., anti-realism, memoire, paranormal, metafiction, Avant-pop, experimental life writing, or digital fiction, etc.)
- the proposal of the creative artefact represents an original piece of writing according to the chosen genre and requirements of the nominated publication, and is of an achievable standard shown via a week-by-week timeline indicating what is to be undertaken and when in the writing process (including milestones, e.g., benchmarks achieved leading up to Assessment 2 - Critical Reflection Journal, benchmarks achieved leading up to Assessment 3 - Final Creative Artefact)
- the proposal defines key literary concepts (e.g., 'point of view', 'short story', 'multiple viewpoint', 'magic realism', etc.), using at least 5 credible/scholarly sources identified as important in ensuring that your creative artefact is informed by the literary and stylistic conventions of your chosen genre, the specified style, and experimental writing technique/s in which the content will be written
- the proposal is presented in a flawless literary presentation, formatting and referencing (Harvard Author-Date system).
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Effectively apply elements of literary experimentation in the drafting, redrafting and final presentation of a sustained piece of creative writing to a professional standard.
2 Written Assessment
Word count: 1800 - 2500 words
Students are required to reflect weekly on their writing progress with specific reference to their experiences in using/applying the experimental creative writing techniques under consideration. The reflective journal must discuss in a critical way how the final creative piece is being/has been shaped by the various factors effecting the process of literary creation, including research.
Remember, critical reflection is about 'stepping outside yourself' and viewing your work objectively: 'It asks us to think about our practice and ideas and then it challenges us to step-back and examine our thinking by asking probing questions. It asks us to not only delve into the past and look at the present but importantly it asks us to speculate about the future and act' (refer to A "Critical" Reflection Framework, State Government of Victoria 2007 for helpful tips).
Students can complete their reflective journal by:
a) posting weekly entries directly to the relevant weekly Critical Reflection Journal blog on the unit Moodle site; or
b) compiling the journal as a Word document and uploading each entry weekly to the relevant weekly Critical Reflection Journal blog
Word Count: Each response should be between 250-350 words in total (references are not included in the word count). This unit allows for a +/- 10% variation on the word limit.
Week 10 Friday (19 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Thursday (1 June 2023)
This assessment item will be evaluated on the extent to which:
- the reflection journal critically discusses the carrying-out the articulated set of outcomes of the Proposal in reference to the genre and form of the writing project (e.g., writing the first chapter of a novel, writing a series of ten poems, writing a dramatic script, writing a short story, writing a children's book, etc.)
- the reflection journal provides critical commentary on the specific style in which the content of the creative artefact will be/has been written (e.g., stream of consciousness, multiple viewpoint, realism, impressionism, etc., anti-realism, memoir, paranormal, etc.)
- the reflection journal objectively examines the implications of the chosen experimental writing technique as regards plot, setting, rising action, characterisation, dialogue, sequencing, etc., or any other literary element represents an original piece of writing
- the reflection journal comments on the development of the creative artefact alongside the prescriptions of the nominated publication
- the reflection journal is presented weekly in a flawless literary presentation, formatting and in-text referencing using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style, and, includes at least 2 references per blog entry identified as important in ensuring that the creative artefact is informed by the literary and stylistic conventions of the chosen genre and the specified style in which the content will be written.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Effectively apply elements of literary experimentation in the drafting, redrafting and final presentation of a sustained piece of creative writing to a professional standard.
3 Written Assessment
Word Count: 2000 - 2500 words
Marks: 55
Students are required to complete at least one piece of writing of a publishable standard.
The publishable piece must be completed according to the topic proposed in Assessment One ('The Pitch'/Proposal), as negotiated with the unit lecturer.
The word count is negotiable depending on the genre of the writing and the publication requirements of the chosen publication. As the creative component of the final assessment for submission is 2000-2500 words in length, your project may be in the form of two-three pieces totaling 2000-2500 words (depending on the publication), or, one complete piece totaling 2000-2500 words (again, depending on the submission requirements of your chosen publication).
You will be encouraged to actually submit your piece/pieces to the publication of choice, although this is not compulsory nor a condition of the unit.
The assessment item is worth 55% of the overall grade, so the standard expected will be high.
This item will be marked and returned as soon as possible after Term 2 classes conclude.
Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (16 June 2023)
This assessment will be evaluated to the extent to which the work:
- Evidences a carrying-out of the points referred to in the project pitch/proposal with experimentation and innovation;
- Demonstrates an original piece of writing in the nominated experimental writing technique, of the chosen genre, and is of a standard clearly showing indicators for the chosen genre and publication;
- Showcases a work of a flawless, polished, and finished piece of writing at a publishable standard;
- Evidences the sustained use of recommended theoretical concepts in supporting work, whether a creative or critical component;
- Utilises overall clarity of expression including spelling and grammatical correctness as well as appropriate acknowledgment of sources using the Harvard(author-date) referencing style where this may be relevant.
NOTE: Please include a copy of your Proposal with the final creative writing piece/s positioned before the artefact proper.
Word Count: The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, [the Proposal: Assessment Item 1], reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Effectively apply elements of literary experimentation in the drafting, redrafting and final presentation of a sustained piece of creative writing to a professional standard.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.