54075 Creative Writing Project
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2020 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (54072 Narrative and Theory OR 58330 Narrative and Theory) AND (54073 Genre Writing OR 58902 Writing Through Genre)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 58331 Creative Writing Project
Description
The capstone in the Creative Writing major, this subject enables students to complete a portfolio of work, in a chosen form or genre, to a professional standard. Working under academic guidance as well as independently and with input from industry professionals, students gain an understanding of their own creative practice and the way it might be positioned within literary and other creative industries. They develop skills in editing, revision and professional presentation, and acquire the confidence to enable them to submit their work for publication. Students write in a form and for a publication or outlet of their choice.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Identify relevant literary publications, resources and other key creative industry organisations |
|---|---|
| b. | Argue for the cultural value of Indigenous literary or creative outlets and publications |
| c. | Produce original and imaginative creative writing at a professional and theoretically publishable standard |
| d. | Locate one’s own creative writing in a professional context |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
- Possess a well-developed awareness of professional practice in the context of the communication industries (1.1)
- Apply theoretically informed understanding of the communication industries in independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
- Possess information literacy skills to locate, gather, organise and synthesise information across diverse platforms to inform the understanding of the communication industries (2.1)
- Be reflexive critical thinkers and creative practitioners who are intellectually curious, imaginative and innovative, with an ability to evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
- Demonstrate an awareness and knowledge of global contexts and openness to cultural exchange (3.1)
- Possess a critical understanding of the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within contemporary Australian politics, history and culture (4.1)
- Possess well-developed skills and proficiencies to communicate and respond effectively and appropriately across different contexts (6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Face-to-face classes in the first weeks of semester will incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including interactive lectures (delivered by industry professionals), short in-class group presentations, discussion of readings and case studies. Pre-work material such as selected readings, links to relevant websites and videos will be available on UTSOnline. These strategies will be complemented by independent student research and small group consultations with the academic adviser/lecturer. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their work in a small conference or literary festival at the end of semester. There will be at least one off-campus class that will involve a self-directed excursion to a literary event in Sydney.
Content (topics)
The aims of this subject are to prepare students for independence and professionalism as creative writers, and to foster involvement in the various literary and cultural industries, for example by way of publication. As the final and capstone subject it draws upon knowledge of the craft and application of writing skills gained throughout the Creative Writing major program. Students will exit the subject with a portfolio of creative writing that ideally will be ready to submit to a literary journal or equivalent for publication or performance.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Report on an Australian Indigenous literary/cultural resource
| Objective(s): | a, b and c | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 15% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Professional Portfolio
| Objective(s): | a, c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 25% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Synopsis: 300 words; creative draft: 1,000-1,500 words (prose), or 5 pages of script or 5 pages of poetry; note on intended publication/outlet/festival: 300 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Creative Writing Project
| Objective(s): | c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 4,000 words total for prose projects (fiction, non-fiction); or equivalent for poetry or screenplay, in consultation with the lecturer. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
In this subject assessment tasks are cumulative so that each task builds understanding and/or skills, informed by formative feedback. Consequently, all assessments must be submitted in order for you to receive feedback. Students who do not submit all assessments will not pass the subject.
Required texts
All required readings are avalable as e-readings via the library.
References
Batty, C. (ed). 2014. Screenwriters and Screenwriting: putting practice into context, Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Bird, Carmel, 2012, Dear Writer: Revisited, Sydney: Spineless Wonders.
Browne, R. & King, D. 2004. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, HarperCollins, New York.
Carriere, J. C. 1994. The Secret Language of Film, Pantheon Books, New York.
Eagleton, T. 2007. How to Read a Poem, Blackwell, Oxford.
Edwards, H. 2012. Authorpreneurship: the business of creativity, ASA/Keesing Press, Sydney.
Harper, G. (ed). 2012. Inside Creative Writing, interviews with contemporary writers, Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Jose, N. (General Ed) 2009. Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.
Methold, K. 1996. A–Z of Authorship, ASA/Keesing Press, Sydney.
Wood, J. 2009. How Fiction Works, Picador, London.
Snooks & Co, 2002. Style Manual: for authors, editors and printers, 6th edition, John Wiley & Sons, Australia
Walker, Brenda, 2011, The Writers’ Reader: A Guide to Writing Fiction and Poetry, Sydney: Halstead Press.