KWB104 Writing Fiction

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit investigates the techniques and elements of writing fiction, beginning by looking at the short story and moving on to looking at the novel. The writing of short stories has traditionally been a starting place for writers to begin developing their craft. Initially via the short story, this unit explores the elements of fiction such as character, voice, setting, plot, dialogue, point of view and modulation. The unit then moves to investigating further elements of fiction using the novel as its focus, helping you acquire and practice skills in creative writing. In this unit you will also learn to analyse prose fiction 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 fiction 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 fiction writing.
4. Collaborate with peers and provide constructive creative feedback to peers.

Content

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: a short story which is due mid-semester, and the beginning to a novel which is due 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 assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Creative Work: Novel first pages

For the second assignment you are required to write the beginning to a novel, between 1500 and 2000 words in length.

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

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 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.

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: ULO1, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages
2. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
3. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
4. 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: ULO1, ULO3, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
5. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO3, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
6. Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
   Relates to: ULO1, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages
7. Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
   Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
8. Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
   Relates to: ULO3, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
9. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
10. Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
11. Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review

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, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
3. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
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, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
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, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages, Peer Review
6. Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
   Relates to: ULO1, Creative Work: Short Story, Creative Work: Novel first pages