KWB104 Writing the Short Story


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:KWB104
Credit points:12
Coordinator:Craig Bolland | c.bolland@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

The writing of short stories has traditionally been a starting place for writers to begin developing their craft. Via the short story, this unit explores the elements of fiction such as character, voice, setting, plot, dialogue, point of view and modulation, and helps you acquire and practice skills in creative writing. In this unit you will also learn to analyse literary writing, in particular the short story, for craft elements in a way that informs and illuminates your own work. In addition to lectures, tutorial based peer-critique workshops are a central part of this unit. Within them, in a guided and structured way, you will get and give feedback on the stories as they are being written.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Apply creative and analytical approaches to the development of short story writing.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of writing as a professional practice.
  3. Analyse, reflect and engage in the process of redrafting and editing, following peer feedback on short fiction writing.
  4. Collaborate with peers and provide constructive creative feedback to peers.

Content

The unit addresses topics relevant to creative writing through lectures and tutorials designed to equip you with the ability to structure and write a short narrative. In particular, we look at the various elements of the short story, such as point of view, structure and characterisation in terms of creative writing practice.

Learning Approaches

Through a combination of lectures and tutorials, with online writing activities, you will be encouraged to develop your writing. There is an emphasis in this unit on formative as well as summative assessment/evaluation. This is achieved via weekly writing activities, feedback from your tutor on your two story submissions, as well as by participation in small peer editorial groups.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive formative feedback from your tutor and peers in tutorials, and are encouraged to provide constructive feedback on others' writing in return. Formative feedback helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses as a writer as the unit progresses. Further, you will receive feedback on work submitted for assessment and grading.

Assessment

Overview

There are three items for assessment in this unit. You are required to produce two creative works in the form of short stories: one is due mid-semester; the other late semester. There is also a third assessable component where you are required to demonstrate firstly your ability to constructively edit and critique the work of other student writers and, secondly, your engagement with the process of providing feedback to fellow students. Details are provided below.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Creative Work: Short Story

For this assignment you are required to write a short story between 1200 and 1500 words in length.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Mid-Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Creative Work: Advanced Short

For the second assignment you are required to write a more advanced short story, between 1200 and 1500 words in length.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Peer Review

In this assignment you will be assessed on your ability to critique and review the work of your peers. You must select three items for this as follows:
i. submission of your own work for peer assessment;
ii. submission of editorial feedback to peers during in-class workshops;
iii. submission of a short written editorial response to one other student's work in progress, of no more than 300 words.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 CIF General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Resources

Other required resources for this unit will be provided via QUT Readings.

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 facilities, refer to the Tier 1 CIF General Health and Safety Induction.

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. 

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

  1. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2
  2. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
  3. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3
  4. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
    Relates to: ULO4
  5. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through reflection and by acting on the informed critique of others.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4
  6. Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, and work with integrity across creative practice networks.
    Relates to: ULO1
  7. Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism in creative practice, both alone and in groups.
    Relates to: ULO2

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: ULO1, ULO2
  2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
  3. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3
  4. 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: ULO4
  5. Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4
  6. Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
    Relates to: ULO1