ALW732 - Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Patrick West
Cohort rule:Nil
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: ALW602, ALW632
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 2-hour seminar per week

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online independent and collaborative learning activities including 1 x 2-hour seminar equivalent

Content

This unit develops foundational skills for emerging fiction writers in dialogue with a range of state-of-the-art critical, theoretical and fictional texts. Students are encouraged to cultivate a reflective approach to their development as writers through observational and analytical journaling and peer workshopping. The unit leverages advanced understandings of creativity, experimentation and improvisation, while also looping students into the latest knowledge about craft aspects of writing (such as revision strategies) and the business of being a professional writer. Students submit a work of fiction (one piece or a sequence of pieces), which may be presented in forms including short story, hypertextual fiction, or fiction for installation or exhibition.

 

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Identify and discuss with confidence basic techniques and some advanced techniques of fiction writing

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking

GLO7: Teamwork

GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO2

Demonstrate critically and self-critically reading in response to readings, in workshops and in fiction revision

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

GLO4: Critical thinking

GLO7: Teamwork

ULO3

Manifest in writing practice the skill-full application of research and preparatory processes for writing fiction

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

GLO6: Self-management

ULO4

Recognise and demonstrate in fiction writing the benefits of revision and rewriting

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

GLO6: Self-management

GLO7: Teamwork

ULO5

Work collaboratively with other student writers and complete personal tasks that contribute to the group activity

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

GLO6: Self-management

GLO7: Teamwork

GLO8: Global citizenship

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1 - Exercise: Reflection 1500 words
or equivalent
30% Week 7
Assessment 2 - Exercise: Fiction Story 3000 words
or equivalent
60% Week 12
Assessment 3 - Class Exercises: Workshop Participation 500 words
or equivalent
10% Weekly

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link ALW732
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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