Critical Friends: The real and virtual support of writers

Unit Code: LPW500

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

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> Generic Skills Outcomes
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Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Graduate Certificate of Arts (Writing), Graduate Diploma of Arts (Writing) and Master of Arts (Writing).

Aims & Objectives:

• 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. 

• Demonstrate developing knowledge of the area in which they are working and show how they might improve their work to address the faults or weaknesses they have found in it;
• Apply emergent skills in sensitive criticism, that is, be able to make recommendations to balance criticisms and show how a weakness might be overcome;
• Display confidence as a critical friend so that mutually beneficial creative relationships can continue outside the classroom or be applied in other subjects;
• Continue developing understandings of how language works by applying a number of strategies, for example, being aware of the importance of reading aloud for language rhythms and felicities of writing;
• Access reference material as appropriate to enrich the writing under consideration;
• Seek advice and support from culturally relevant networks, e.g. Indigenous Elders, ATAS (Aboriginal Tutorial Schemes).

Teaching Methods:

This unit is delivered online and includes a range of flexible and multi-modal learning approaches, such as virtual lectures, virtual tutorials, electronic media, set readings for response. The unit Web page provides the following information: interactivities, multimedia links, hypertext links, references and virtual community opportunities and is supported by an online tutor and opportunities for peer mentoring.

Assessment:

Written Assignments 60% - 70%
Participation in Weekly Discussion Threads 30% - 40%

Generic Skills Outcomes:

• Analysis of skills developed through essays, reflective journals and reviews requiring critical thinking;
• Communication skills developed through written and oral presentations;
• Ability to work independently developed through library research;
• The ability to read text critically;
• The ability to edit one’s own texts insightfully;
• The ability to edit other’s texts critically yet sympathetically;
• Insights into the relationships between reading and writing;
• The development of editorial capacities.

Content:

• Components of ‘Critical Friendship’
• Critical friendship in the writing industry, in business, and in academic practice
• The process and products of writing
• Peer, self-editing and feedback skills
• Critical and Cultural Theories
• Journals, diaries and reflective writing
• Business Writing
• Writing Australian Social Commentary
• Writing Personal reminiscences in autobiographical, biographical or historical genre
• Adolescent Fiction Writing
• Children’s Writing
• Useful Ideas and constructive criticisms about Writing in general and one’s own practice in particular

Reading Materials: