KWB116 Writing Creative Non-Fiction

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

In this unit, you will develop the ability to recognise, analyse and write in key areas of creative non-fiction writing. The unit offers you highly transferable skills that form part of the professional writer's practice and which are especially useful to develop early in a writing career. Creative non-fiction allows you to combine real life stories with the creative and imaginative writing techniques employed in fiction, and applies to a wide range of writing modes and publishing contexts. These include reviewing, writing about books, music and screen, food writing, the personal essay, life writing and travel literature, and the use of humour in writing. This unit encourages you to apply the creative writing techniques of these forms to your own areas of interest and creative practice, and has an industry focus in equipping you with practical and analytical skills in a range of non-fiction creative writing genres.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Write short pieces of creative nonfiction to industry standards and with an awareness of practices in nonfiction publications.
2. Write and rewrite collaboratively through participation in peer critique groups.
3. Identify professional markets for your creative nonfiction and target those markets through the writing of suitable work.

Content

Learning Approaches

Classroom practice includes an integrated program of lectures and tutorials, with a balance of small group, large group, online and individual activities. Guided writing activities and critical discussion of writing theories and works will form the backbone of most tutorials. You are encouraged to develop your understanding of the theoretical content of the course through innovative forms of writing and analysis, and through engagement with real-world practices of non-fiction writing. Workshopping of works in progress will be part of some tutorials.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester. Feedback from your tutor and peers will form an important part of your writing development, as outlined in the Approaches to Learning section of this unit outline.

Assessment

Overview

For this unit you are required to submit three assessable items: a short review written to a standard suitable for publication; a short nonfiction creative work; and a folio of work gathered over the semester which demonstrates your engagement with formative writing activities, and participation in the process of constructively providing critique and feedback on the work of others.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Critique (written)

A 1000-word review suitable for publication. This assessment has formative (developmental) and summative elements (evaluation for a grade).

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Portfolio

This is a multi-phase assessment based on 3 requirements:
1. Submission of a folio of writing activities discussed in class
2. Participation in the editorial process through sharing of draft work and peer critique
3. Submission of written critiques of peers' works in progress
This assessment has formative (developmental) and summative elements (evaluation for a grade).

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Creative Work

For this assessment you are required to write a 2000 word piece of creative nonfiction suitable for publication.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement)

Resources

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Creative writing often explores a wide range of topics and themes, some of which may touch upon sensitive or triggering subjects. While we believe in the power of storytelling and self-expression, we also want to prioritize your emotional well-being. Please be aware that this course may contain content that could potentially trigger or upset individuals. These triggering topics may include, but are not limited to:

1. Sexual assault or violence
2. Self-harm or suicide
3. Substance abuse or addiction
4. Eating disorders or body dysmorphia
5. Mental health conditions or trauma
6. Racism, discrimination, or hate speech
7. Religious or political extremism
8. Domestic or child abuse
9. Loss or grief
10. War or conflict

Course Learning Outcomes

CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts

1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
   Relates to: ULO3, Critique (written), Portfolio, Creative Work
2. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO2, Portfolio
3. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO1, Critique (written), Creative Work
4. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, Critique (written), Creative Work
5. Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Critique (written), Portfolio, Creative Work
6. Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
   Relates to: ULO2, Portfolio
7. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
   Relates to: ULO2, Portfolio
8. Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Critique (written), Portfolio, Creative Work

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
   Relates to: ULO3
2. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO1
3. Represent and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3
4. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through reflection and by acting on the informed critique of others.
   Relates to: ULO2
5. Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism in creative practice, both alone and in groups.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3

KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries

1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
   Relates to: ULO3, Critique (written), Portfolio, Creative Work
2. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
   Relates to: ULO1, Critique (written), Creative Work
3. Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Critique (written), Portfolio, Creative Work
4. Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
   Relates to: ULO2, Portfolio
5. Practise self-management of career and learning with enterprise and an entrepreneurial outlook, including the building of personal and professional relationships and partnerships.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Critique (written), Portfolio, Creative Work