ALW732 - Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out
Unit details
Year | 2025 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 |
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour on-campus seminar per week |
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week |
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. |
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.
Learning Outcomes
ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
---|---|---|
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 critical and craft reflection 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 skilful 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 ALW732 can be found via the University Library.
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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