KWB212 Poetry and Micro Writing
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | KWB212 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Completion of 24 credit points of KWB units |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2027, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KWB212 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 24 credit points of KWB units |
Overview
This unit explores how writers create powerful effects using poetic techniques. Through the study of contemporary and classic poems, you will examine how techniques such as imagery, sound, line break, and rhythm shape meaning and emotion. You will read and analyse poems as examples of craft and experiment with short creative forms inspired by them, including lyric poetry, prose poetry, fragments, and other hybrid forms such as social media or flash fiction. The unit provides key creative and critical skills in writing poetry, showing how close attention to language and form can generate new creative possibilities. By the end of the unit you will develop a collection of poems or short-form writing suitable for publication or performance, demonstrating the expressive potential of concise forms.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse how poetic techniques such as imagery, sound, line, and compression shape meaning and emotional effect in contemporary poetry.
- Apply a range of poetic techniques through short creative experiments that explore different approaches to language, form, and structure.
- Produce a coherent sequence of poems or micro-writing that demonstrates control of poetic craft and thematic development.
- Reflect on and articulate the creative decisions shaping a body of work, using an appropriate vocabulary of poetic craft.
Content
You will explore how writers create powerful effects in compressed forms such as poetry, prose poetry, and micro writing. You will examine how techniques such as imagery, sound, line, and structure shape meaning and emotion, and how brevity can intensify expression. Through close reading and creative practice, you will experiment with a range of short forms, including digital forms such as social media, developing your ability to craft precise, evocative writing.
Learning Approaches
This unit is delivered through a lecture and tutorial model. Lectures introduce key concepts and techniques in poetry and micro writing, while tutorials focus on close reading, discussion, and creative exercises. Learning is practice-led, with an emphasis on experimentation, drafting, and the development of concise, expressive forms.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive formative feedback through in-class writing exercises and oral peer-critiques, and summative feedback through written and oral feedback on creative practice and critical/reflective writing.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit is designed to develop both your critical reading and creative writing skills. Early in the semester you will complete a short close reading of a poem, analysing how poetic techniques shape meaning and emotional effect. You will then experiment with a range of poetic techniques through a portfolio of short writing exercises. The final assessment asks you to develop a themed sequence of poems or micro-writing pieces, accompanied by a brief artist’s statement reflecting on the craft decisions and ideas shaping your work.
You may use genAI tools to support research and idea development in this unit. However, you must not use genAI to generate or draft or translate any part of your assessment. This includes annotations, commentary, and creative work. All work you submit must be your own. You are required to include a brief statement outlining any use of genAI in the development of your work and ensure that your use complies with QUT’s academic integrity requirements.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Annotated Poem
You will produce an annotated close reading of a prescribed poem. You will identify and comment on key poetic techniques such as imagery, sound, line, structure, and tone directly on the text, demonstrating how meaning and emotion are created. Annotations should be made on the page by hand and submitted as a PDF or image of your annotated poem. You will also include a brief written commentary reflecting on your observations and explaining how the poem achieves its effects. This task develops your ability to read like a writer and to analyse how poetic techniques operate in practice.
This item is eligible for the 48-hour automatic extension.
Assessment: Portfolio
A portfolio of four short writing exercises exploring different poetic techniques introduced in the unit. Possible techniques include: imagery, sound, line breaks, prose poetry, constraint writing, fragment / collage, found poetry.
This item is eligible for the 48-hour automatic extension.
Assessment: Creative Work
A themed sequence of poetic work, along with an artist's statement explaining the creative rationale for the work.
This item is eligible for the 48-hour automatic extension.
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
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
A Poetry Handbook, by Mary Oliver (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1994).
The Making of a Poem, eds. Mark Strand and Eavan Boland (New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 2001).
Recommended text(s)
Australian Poetry since 1788 eds. Gray, R & Lehmann, G (Sydney: University of NSW Press, 2011).
The Penguin Anthology of Australian Poetry ed. John Kinsella (Melbourne: Penguin, 2009).
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:
- Sexual assault or violence
- Self-harm or suicide
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Eating disorders or body dysmorphia
- Mental health conditions or trauma
- Racism, discrimination, or hate speech
- Religious or political extremism
- Domestic or child abuse
- Loss or grief
- War or conflict
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BA01 Bachelor of Arts
- Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply knowledge about society, culture and technology, for a range of contexts, audiences and purposes.
Relates to: ULO1, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Recognise, develop and apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge through critical and creative processes.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Communicate to diverse audiences using a range of modes and technologies to share and disseminate knowledge, skills and ideas.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Work - Work productively as a reflective learner, team member and collaborator to achieve goals and to build personal and professional networks and develop entrepreneurial thinking in community and workplace contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Annotated Poem, Creative Work
CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts
- 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: ULO1, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Demonstrate technical proficiency and a knowledge of contemporary digital practices and technologies in one or more disciplines and apply these in creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO2, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
Relates to: ULO2, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
Relates to: ULO2, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio
KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts
- 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: ULO1 - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO1 - Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO2 - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1 - Represent and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO3 - Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
Relates to: ULO3 - Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary creative practice.
Relates to: ULO2 - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, and work with integrity across creative practice networks.
Relates to: ULO2 - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism in creative practice, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO3
KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries
- 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: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
Relates to: ULO1, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - 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, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - 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: ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2027, Online
| Unit code: | KWB212 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 24 credit points of KWB units |
Overview
This unit explores how writers create powerful effects using poetic techniques. Through the study of contemporary and classic poems, you will examine how techniques such as imagery, sound, line break, and rhythm shape meaning and emotion. You will read and analyse poems as examples of craft and experiment with short creative forms inspired by them, including lyric poetry, prose poetry, fragments, and other hybrid forms such as social media or flash fiction. The unit provides key creative and critical skills in writing poetry, showing how close attention to language and form can generate new creative possibilities. By the end of the unit you will develop a collection of poems or short-form writing suitable for publication or performance, demonstrating the expressive potential of concise forms.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse how poetic techniques such as imagery, sound, line, and compression shape meaning and emotional effect in contemporary poetry.
- Apply a range of poetic techniques through short creative experiments that explore different approaches to language, form, and structure.
- Produce a coherent sequence of poems or micro-writing that demonstrates control of poetic craft and thematic development.
- Reflect on and articulate the creative decisions shaping a body of work, using an appropriate vocabulary of poetic craft.
Content
You will explore how writers create powerful effects in compressed forms such as poetry, prose poetry, and micro writing. You will examine how techniques such as imagery, sound, line, and structure shape meaning and emotion, and how brevity can intensify expression. Through close reading and creative practice, you will experiment with a range of short forms, including digital forms such as social media, developing your ability to craft precise, evocative writing.
Learning Approaches
This unit is delivered through a lecture and tutorial model. Lectures introduce key concepts and techniques in poetry and micro writing, while tutorials focus on close reading, discussion, and creative exercises. Learning is practice-led, with an emphasis on experimentation, drafting, and the development of concise, expressive forms.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive formative feedback through in-class writing exercises and oral peer-critiques, and summative feedback through written and oral feedback on creative practice and critical/reflective writing.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit is designed to develop both your critical reading and creative writing skills. Early in the semester you will complete a short close reading of a poem, analysing how poetic techniques shape meaning and emotional effect. You will then experiment with a range of poetic techniques through a portfolio of short writing exercises. The final assessment asks you to develop a themed sequence of poems or micro-writing pieces, accompanied by a brief artist’s statement reflecting on the craft decisions and ideas shaping your work.
You may use genAI tools to support research and idea development in this unit. However, you must not use genAI to generate or draft or translate any part of your assessment. This includes annotations, commentary, and creative work. All work you submit must be your own. You are required to include a brief statement outlining any use of genAI in the development of your work and ensure that your use complies with QUT’s academic integrity requirements.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Annotated Poem
You will produce an annotated close reading of a prescribed poem. You will identify and comment on key poetic techniques such as imagery, sound, line, structure, and tone directly on the text, demonstrating how meaning and emotion are created. Annotations should be made on the page by hand and submitted as a PDF or image of your annotated poem. You will also include a brief written commentary reflecting on your observations and explaining how the poem achieves its effects. This task develops your ability to read like a writer and to analyse how poetic techniques operate in practice.
This item is eligible for the 48-hour automatic extension.
Assessment: Portfolio
A portfolio of four short writing exercises exploring different poetic techniques introduced in the unit. Possible techniques include: imagery, sound, line breaks, prose poetry, constraint writing, fragment / collage, found poetry.
This item is eligible for the 48-hour automatic extension.
Assessment: Creative Work
A themed sequence of poetic work, along with an artist's statement explaining the creative rationale for the work.
This item is eligible for the 48-hour automatic extension.
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
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
A Poetry Handbook, by Mary Oliver (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1994).
The Making of a Poem, eds. Mark Strand and Eavan Boland (New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 2001).
Recommended text(s)
Australian Poetry since 1788 eds. Gray, R & Lehmann, G (Sydney: University of NSW Press, 2011).
The Penguin Anthology of Australian Poetry ed. John Kinsella (Melbourne: Penguin, 2009).
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:
- Sexual assault or violence
- Self-harm or suicide
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Eating disorders or body dysmorphia
- Mental health conditions or trauma
- Racism, discrimination, or hate speech
- Religious or political extremism
- Domestic or child abuse
- Loss or grief
- War or conflict
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BA01 Bachelor of Arts
- Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply knowledge about society, culture and technology, for a range of contexts, audiences and purposes.
Relates to: ULO1, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Recognise, develop and apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge through critical and creative processes.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Communicate to diverse audiences using a range of modes and technologies to share and disseminate knowledge, skills and ideas.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Work - Work productively as a reflective learner, team member and collaborator to achieve goals and to build personal and professional networks and develop entrepreneurial thinking in community and workplace contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Annotated Poem, Creative Work
CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts
- 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: ULO1, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Demonstrate technical proficiency and a knowledge of contemporary digital practices and technologies in one or more disciplines and apply these in creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO2, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
Relates to: ULO2, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
Relates to: ULO2, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio
KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts
- 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: ULO1 - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO1 - Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO2 - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1 - Represent and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO3 - Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
Relates to: ULO3 - Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary creative practice.
Relates to: ULO2 - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, and work with integrity across creative practice networks.
Relates to: ULO2 - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism in creative practice, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO3
KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries
- 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: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
Relates to: ULO1, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - 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, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio - 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: ULO3, Annotated Poem, Portfolio