50122 Writing: Style and Structure

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Writing and Contemporary Cultures
Credit points: 6 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Handbook description

This subject combines practical writing exercises, workshopping, and the reading and discussion of a range of examples and critical material relating to the process of writing. Craft skills are developed with attention being paid to imagery, voice, characterisation, elements of narrative, dramatic and lyric form. A variety of genres are explored, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and performance forms.

As its main objective, the subject provides students with both a workshop environment for producing new creative work as well as a space for criticism and reflection on the writing process. The aim of the subject is to provide a number of foundational techniques and ideas in developing skills as creative and professional writers.

The subject also situates students' writing within the context of a practical and critical engagement with a variety of genres and styles in contemporary and modern literature. Students are asked to read extensively in the class reader, to comment on some of that reading, to read widely in their own time and, where specified, to read and comment on other students' work.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

have developed the writer's skills and techniques
have an engagement with the creative and imaginative process in writing
have clarified and deepened their subject-matter and ideas;
be familiar with a variety of genres, forms and media;
reflect on and choose those genres and media most appropriate to his/her writing;
have developed a reflective and critical approach in reading and an approach which helps them in their own writing;
have critical, assessment and editing skills when looking at student's own and others work

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject provides:

an introduction to a range of both general and specific skills in creative writing
an opportunity to reflect deeply on the writing process
a foundational knowledge in various areas of aesthetic and cultural debate
an enhancement of students' understanding of Australian cultural traditions

Teaching and learning strategies

These may vary to some degree from tutorial to tutorial. There will be a mix of 'imagination-releasing' activities, writing exercises, imitations, parodies, reflective commentaries on designated pieces from the reader and from other sources, exercises in dialogue, exercises on re-writing and editing; and there will be many opportunities to engage in the work-shopping aspects of each seminar.

Students will be asked to write continuously throughout the semester and to introduce work into the workshopping process on a regular basis.

Content

Practical and theoretical approach to forms and genres of writing
A practical approach to narrative, metaphor, scene setting and voice in writing
An introduction to script and dialogue
An introduction to foundational aspects of poetry writing
An introduction to foundational aspects of story writing
Extensive reading
Workshopping skills, reflective and critical skills and the acquisition of foundational skills in editing and re-writing

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Critical essay of 1,000 words

Objectives	d, e, f
Value	40%
Due	Week 9
Task	Critical analysis of selected reading material either from the course reader, set texts, or other designated reading, including fully cited references to all research articles or Internet material used.
Assessment criteria	insightful and original reading of chosen text capacity to think technically and structurally about writing ability to develop wide reading interests

Assessment Item 2: Submission of a longer work (or works) of 2,000 words

Objectives	a, b, c, e, g
Value	60%
Due	Week 14
Task	The submission of a piece of writing which may be a short suite of poems, average-length short story, set of scenes or equivalent from a script, or chapter-length fiction excerpt or literary essay. This assignment may be a development of a class assignment in Writing Style and Structure. It must not be a work written for another class.
Assessment criteria	originality of idea and content technical and stylistic accomplishment of the writing capacity to edit and revise work to good effect

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Attendance is particularly important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students who attend fewer than ten classes are advised that their final work will not be assessed and that they are likely to fail the subject.

Indicative references

There is a Writing Style and Structure reader for this subject.