CQUniversity Unit Profile
WRIT13013 Writing Project
Writing Project
All details in this unit profile for WRIT13013 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

The writing project is the final unit in the writing plan. The focus of the project will be in providing practical experience in the invention, composition and revision of a writing project designated as either professional or creative writing. You will be expected to produce work of a publishable standard, and will be encouraged to find a print or online publication outlet - journal, magazine, newspaper - and submit your project for consideration. You will be expected to reflect on your project and to demonstrate, through a weblog, knowledge of how professional and creative writing works. You will demonstrate advanced writing skills, as well as the ability to collect, analyse, organize and present ideas and information in creative and/ or professional ways.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisite: (WRIT11023 and WRIT12010) or (COMM11007 and JOUR12010)

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 - 2017

Distance

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 35%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 65%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Email: Student Experience Directorate

Feedback

"Is it possible for you to add the following information to the course information of WRIT13013 Writing Project: 'Students cannot enrol in this course without first contacting and obtaining approval from the Course Coordinator.'"

Recommendation

This information will be included in the Unit information for future iterations of this Unit. The provision will ensure that the Unit Coordinator can/can not identify and allocate an appropriate supervisor for individual students.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. complete at publishable standard a writing project designated as either professional or creative writing;
  2. complete a critical reflection on their project;
  3. demonstrate knowledge of how professional and/or creative writing works;
  4. demonstrate the ability to collect, analyse, organise and present ideas and information in creative and/ or professional ways; and,
  5. demonstrate advanced writing skills.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Written Assessment - 0%
2 - Written Assessment - 35%
3 - Written Assessment - 65%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
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 - 35%
3 - Written Assessment - 65%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

The road to somewhere: a creative writing companion

Edition: 2nd Ed (2013)
Authors: Graham, R., Newall, H., Leach, H., Armstrong, J & Singleton, J.
Palgrave Macmillan
Houndsmill Houndsmill , Basingstoke , United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781137263568
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Students intending to undertake a creative writing project for WRIT13013 will need to access the above text, which can be purchased at the CQUniversity Bookshop here.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Nicole Anae Unit Coordinator
n.anae@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

The essential textbook for students interested in undertaking a creative writing project is:

Graham, R, Newell, H, Leach, H, & Singleton, J 2013, The road to somewhere: a creative writing companion, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.

This is a primary companion helping students acquire the literary craft and disciplines needed to develop and undertake a creative writing project in this unit.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

The Pitch/Proposal Due


Written Assessment -The 'Pitch'/Proposal Due: Week 2 Friday (17 Mar 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Reflection Journal Entries due.


Written Assessment 2 - Reflective Journal Due: Week 10 Friday (19 May 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2017

Module/Topic

Project

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Final Assessable Draft due.


Written Assessment - Final Piece (Creative Artefact) Due: Week 12 Friday (2 June 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

WRIT13013 Writing Project requires instructor consent. This provision will ensure that the Unit Coordinator can/can not identify and allocate an appropriate supervisor for individual students. Students cannot enrol in this unit without first contacting and obtaining approval from the Unit Coordinator.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment -The 'Pitch'/Proposal

Task Description

Students are required to develop a 500 word 'pitch' for a publication of their choice (e.g. Magazine, journal, literary review, etc.). The '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. Students must negotiate the topic for the "pitch" with their supervisor.

The Pitch/Proposal is non-graded but it is a condition of the unit that the item must be submitted and approved.


Assessment Due Date

Week 2 Friday (17 Mar 2017) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 4 Friday (31 Mar 2017)

Will be returned to students electronically.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be commented on with respect to the extent to which it demonstrates:

1. The overall clarity of the proposal with respect to what it envisages for the writing project that will grow out of it.

2. The extent to which the proposal evidences the student's research of the topic and the advanced writing techniques to be used, as well as overall clarity of expression including spelling and grammatical correctness.

3. Overall clarity of expression including spelling and grammatical correctness.

4. Appropriate acknowledgment and in-text citation of all sources consulted in the creation of the proposal using the Harvard( author-date) referencing style.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
See Moodle site for submission guidelines.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • complete at publishable standard a writing project designated as either professional or creative writing;
  • demonstrate knowledge of how professional and/or creative writing works;
  • demonstrate the ability to collect, analyse, organise and present ideas and information in creative and/ or professional ways; and,
  • demonstrate advanced writing skills.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment 2 - Reflective Journal

Task Description

Critical Reflection Journal

Students are required to reflect weekly on their progress through the writing process with specific reference to the submission guidelines of the selected publication.

The reflective journal must discuss in a critical way not only how the written piece meets the submission guidelines and the journalistic/creative standards of the selected publication, but on the various factors effecting the process of literary creation. Students can complete their reflective journal as a blog if desired.

Students weekly reflections must account for the period Week 3 until Week 10 (7 weeks in total).

Each weekly answer is worth 5 marks.

Word limit: Each response should be between 200-250 words in total.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (19 May 2017) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (2 June 2017)

Will be returned to students electronically.


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be evaluated on the extent to which it demonstrates:

  1. Critical reflection regarding the ways in which the work in progress aligns with the creative intentions set out in the proposal;
  2. Consideration of the publications standards/requirements of the nominated publication/s;
  3. Critical reflection regarding the ways in which the work in progress is a demonstration of the critical engagement with the advanced writing techniques alluded to in the proposal;
  4. A deliberate and concerted enterprise in seriously considering the factors which have shaped and determined the process of literary creation including; a justification of literary techniques used, a justification of chosen genre and form, a justification of how each step of the writing process as gone beyond simply sitting and writing, but offers insight into how you have critically examined your creative product in the light of contemporary theory and practice (insights each supported by critical/scholarly readings and material);
  5. Each critical reflection reflects flawless presentation, clarity of expression - including spelling and grammatical correctness - as well as appropriate acknowledgment of sources and in-text citation using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
See Moodle site for submission guidelines.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • complete at publishable standard a writing project designated as either professional or creative writing;
  • demonstrate knowledge of how professional and/or creative writing works;
  • demonstrate the ability to collect, analyse, organise and present ideas and information in creative and/ or professional ways; and,
  • demonstrate advanced writing skills.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment - Final Piece (Creative Artefact)

Task Description

Students are required to complete at least one piece of writing of a publishable standard.

Word Count: 1250 words

The publishable piece must be completed according to the topic proposed in Assessment One ('The Pitch'/Proposal), as negotiated with their supervisor. The word count is negotiable depending on the genre of the writing and the publication requirements of the chosen publication.Please note however, that the word count expected for Assessment Item 3 will be 1250 words.

This means that while the publication requirement for your chosen journal/magazine might suggest a word count of 1000 words, and this piece will comprise your publication submission as well as your submission for Assessment Item 3: Final Piece, for this unit (WRIT13013) students will be expected to submit a smaller piece (e.g., 250 words) in addition to the main principle piece (e.g., 1000 words) for their Assessment Item 3: Final Piece submission. This is to ensure students choosing a publication with a word limit of 500 - 750 words will not be at an advantage over students submitting work to a publication calling for 1000 words, or students choosing a publication with a word limit of 1250 words will not be at a disadvantage to students submitting work to a publication calling for 1000 words.

While it is acceptable in this unit to allow of a 10% variation (either above or below) the word count, students are strongly advised to accord with the chosen publication requirements as regards word counts and limits.

Students will be encouraged to formally submit their written piece to the chosen publication for consideration. Students will also be encouraged to submit smaller pieces to an alternative publication for consideration if they so choose.

Weighting
: This assessment item is worth 65% of the overall assessment.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (2 June 2017) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (16 June 2017)


Weighting
65%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be evaluated to the extent to which the work:

  1. Evidences a carrying-out of the points referred to in the project pitch/proposal with experimentation and innovation;
  2. Demonstrates an original piece of writing of the chosen genre and is of a standard clearly showing indicators for the chosen genre and publication;
  3. Showcases a work of a flawless, polished, and finished piece of writing at a publishable standard;
  4. 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.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • complete a critical reflection on their project;


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

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.

What can you do to act with integrity?