Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Duration
Contact Hours
Campus
Prerequisite
Corequisite
12 weeks or equivalent
3 Hours per Week
Lilydale
Nil
Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points
A unit of study in the Graduate Certificate of Arts (Writing), Graduate Diploma of Arts (Writing) and Master of Arts (Writing).
Writing is a lonely task. Once the blank page has been confronted and overcome, there is still much work for the writer to do before the work is ready for publication. The final act of writing is to critique the work as though you are coming to it for the first time as the reader, not the writer. Perhaps the most valuable asset a writer can have at this stage is a critical friend. This unit explores how 'critical friends' can enrich others' writing skills and their own insights into the processes of writing by: Reading each other’s work with insightful respect, including cultural respect, while at the same time being prepared to evaluate its strengths and perceive the weaknesses. Being able to spend considerable time on multiple readings while taking notes and making marks on each other’s manuscripts. Having knowledge, including cultural and emotional, of the area in which each is working and being able to apply it to show how each writer might alter their work to address the faults or weaknesses found in it. Working through each other’s manuscripts and picking up on the points made during their multiple readings. By the conclusion of this unit, students will: Be able to seek advice and support from culturally relevant networks, e.g. Indigenous Elders, ATAS (Aboriginal Tutorial Schemes). Have knowledge of the area in which they are working and be able to apply that to show how they might alter their work to address the faults or weaknesses they have found in it. Have an understanding of how language works by, for example, being aware of the importance of reading aloud for language rhythms and felicities of writing. Have access to reference material as appropriate to enrich the writing under consideration. Have skills in sensitive criticism, that is, be able to make recommendations to balance criticisms and show how a weakness might be overcome.
Virtual lectures, virtual tutorials, electronic media, reading and practical exercises and e- tutors, e-mentors and e-peer groups.
500-word report 30%, 500-word critical reflection 30%, participation in weekly Discussion Threads 40%
Critical Friendship Process and Product Critical and Cultural Theories Models for Critical Friendship 1: Utilising Diaries. Writing Australian Social Commentary Models for Critical Friendship 2: Business Writing Models for Critical Friendship 3: Writing Personal reminiscences of Famous People Models for Critical Friendship 4: Adolescent Fiction Writing 1 Models for Critical Friendship 5: Adolescent Fiction Writing 2 Useful Ideas about Writing
Arnold, J. 2007 Practice Led Research: A dynamic way to knowledge, Rock View Press: Melbourne. Bernays, A. & Painter, P. 1997, What If?: Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers, Boston: Addison-Wesley Publications. Bowling, A. 2001, Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market 2001: 2,000 Places to Sell Your Fiction, Cincinnati, OH: Writer’s Digest Books. Burroway, J. & Stuckey-French, E. 2006, Writing Fiction, 7th Edition. New York: Longman. Farrell, M. P. 2003, Collaborative Circles: Friendship, Dynamics and Creative Work. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Gallagher, H. 2007, Release Your Writing: Book Publishing Your Way. College Station, TX: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing. The Macquarie Dictionary. The Macquarie Thesaurus. The Macquarie website: http://www.macnet.mq.edu.au Moustaki, N. 2001, Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Poetry, Los Angeles: Alpha Books. Rae, C. M. 1997, Movies in the Mind: How to Build a Short Story, San Francisco: Sherman Aster. Straczynski, J. M. 1996, The Complete Book of Scriptwriting, New York: Writers Digest Books. Strunk, W., The Elements of Style (any recent edition) or the online edition at: http://www.bartleby.com/141/ Van Cleave, R. G. & Pierce, T. J. 2006, Behind the Short Story: From First to Final Draft. New York: Longman. Woolf, V. 1990, A Room of One’s Own, New York: Harvest Books. And the following electronic resources: Lynch Guide to Grammar and Style: http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/%7Ejlynch/Writing/ Online English Grammar: http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/ Novel Advice: http://www.noveladvice.com/ Hanrahan, M. 1998, Enhancing Critical Analysis in Research Through Reflective Writing: http://www.aare.edu.au/98pap/han98330.htm Weekly hypertext weblinks.
