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Research for Writers

Unit Code: LPW505

Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

13 week study period

3 Hours per Week

Online

Nil

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

> Related Course/s
> Teaching Methods
> Assessment
> Aims & Objectives
> Generic Skills Outcomes
> Content
> References

Related Course/s:


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Aims & Objectives:

In this subject, students will learn about the relationship between the concept of research as it is used in writing, the methodical collection of appropriate investigative materials and the publication of a researched piece of writing. On completion of this unit students should be able to:
  • apply current competencies and interests to a research process
  • develop a research question and research journey
  • demonstrate an understanding of a range of research methodologies, including practice led research and creative research methodologies
  • identify, assess and apply appropriate research methodologies
  • write for a specified audience in a specified genre
  • use research data in development of a piece of writing
  • demonstrate skills of peer- and self- proof reading and re-drafting


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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.

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Assessment:

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


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Generic Skills Outcomes:

This unit will provide discipline-based knowledge and professional capabilities and experiences contributing to students’ progress in attaining generic skills such as:

·         Analytical skills developed through interactive applied, critical and reflective writing tasks and reviews requiring critical thinking;

·         Communication skills developed through interactive discussion forums and web-based communication;

·         Ability to work independently developed through web-based research and online learning, in addition to library research;

·         Understanding  the various elements of research;

·         An ability to focus upon the capacity to research for a given piece of writing;

·         Discriminating between research for a variety of outcomes;

·         Knowledge of the academic research process;

·         Awareness of the ways in which to behave ethically as researchers.


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Content:

This unit introduces writers to the relationship between the concept of research as it is used in writing, the methodical collection of appropriate investigative materials and the publication of a researched piece of writing. It addresses research as a function of a diverse range of writing genres and contexts. Content includes:

  • The Research Project – focussing research and the assignment
  • The elements, stages and features of the research process
  • The research question – from formulation to implementation
  • Research for Journalism and Media
  • Researching fiction
  • Researching non-fiction
  • Research case studies – eg. literature for young people; crime writing
  • Other formats for research publication (eg drama and performance)
  • Ethics of research
  • Conventions of publishing – drafting, editing, formatting, ethics, submission and the pitch
  • Publication Opportunities.

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References:

Byofsky, S & Sander, PJ 2001, Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Published, Alpha Books, U.S.A.

Crofts, A 2007, The Freelance Writer's Handbook: How to Make Money and Enjoy Your Life. Piatkus Books, London.

Eckstut, A & Sterry, D 2001, Putting Your Passion Into Print: Get Your Book Published Successfully! Workman Publishing Company, New York.

Gardner, J 1983, On Becoming a Novelist, Harper and Row, New York.

Grix, J 2006, The Foundations of Research, Palgrave-Macmillan, New York.

Huff, AS (ed.) 2008, Designing Research for Publication, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Hoffman, A 2003, Research for Writers (7th edition), A & C Black, London.

Jones, L 2007, The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World. The Greatest in the World Limited, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.

Laufenberg, C and the Editors of the Writer’s Digest Books, 2004, Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, OH.

Le Guin, U 2004, The Wave in the Mind: Talks and Essays on the Writer, the Reader, and the Imagination, Shambhala, Los Angeles.

Lenberg, J 2005, The Facts on File Guide to Research for Students, Checkmark Books, New York.

Marshall, E 2004, Novel Writing: 16 Steps to Success, A. & C. Black, London.

The Macquarie Dictionary.

The Macquarie Thesaurus.

The Macquarie website: http://www.macnet.mq.edu.au

Potter, CN 1991, Writing for Publication, Plume Books/Penguin, New York.

Strunk, W The Elements of Style (any recent edition) or online: http:\\www.bartleby.com/141/

Turner, B 2008, The Writer’s Handbook 2009, Macmillan, London.

Carey, J 2009, ‘Whose story is it, anyway? Ethics and interpretive authority in biographical creative nonfiction’. Text, vol 12:2.

Evans, S 2007, No laughing matter: Ethics and Human Research in the Arts. AAWP Conference Paper. http://aawp.org.au/and-papers-proceedings-12th-conference-aawp

Gelder, K & Salzman, P (eds) 2009 After the celebration: Australian fiction 1989-2007, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne.

Eisner, E 2008, ‘Persistent Tensions in Arts-Based Research’. In Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor & Richard Siegesmund (eds.), Arts-Based Research in Education: Foundations for Practice, Routledge, USA

Meikle, G 2009, Interpreting News, Palgrave Macmillan, New York.

Oliver, M 2005, Writing Historical Fiction: Creating The Historical Blockbuster, Studymates, Abergele.

Prochnau, W 2004, Once Upon a Distant War: David Halberstam, Neil Sheehan, Peter Arnett--Young War Correspondents and Their Early Vietnam Battles, Vintage, New York.

The following online resources:

Selected Papers and Articles by Douglas Kellner. http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/kellner/articles.html

4 Writers. Com. http://4-writers.com/


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