Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Writing Creative Nonfiction

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COMM2453	City Campus	Undergraduate	345T Media and Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 1 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 1 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 1 2019
COMM2453	City Campus	Undergraduate	375T Vocational Design and Social Context	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2020
COMM2453	City Campus	Undergraduate	515T Creative Industries	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 1 2024, Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Dzintra Boyd and Sarah Vincent

Course Coordinator Phone: +61399254269 (Dzintra)

Course Coordinator Email: pwecoordinators@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

In this course you are introduced to different forms of non-fiction writing, including essays, reviews, biography and memoir. You explore the differences between writing fiction and nonfiction and learn the skills and techniques necessary to write in a variety of styles. Through developing your own non-fiction writing, you learn about concept development, researching content, understanding your readership and identifying markets for your work.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes
In this course you will develop the following program outcomes:

1.  identify and employ writing and editing techniques; principles and practice of communication and writing for different audiences; emerging digital media and trends and developments in the publishing industry

2.  acquire and apply the skills to write works of fiction and nonfiction, edit professionally, create digital content, design print and web-based products, develop and manage writing and editing projects

3. apply and creatively adapt theoretical and technical knowledge and skills to reflect the needs and expectations of varied readerships and markets.

Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

1. Develop a concept suitable for a work of non-fiction

2. Employ appropriate research methods

3. Analyse and explain a variety of non-fiction genres and styles

4. Write non-fiction works that illustrate a variety of genres and styles

5. Define the readership for your non-fiction work and identify a market.

Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are: 

• lectures, which provide the framework for developing your skills in non-fiction writing
• class exercises and activities designed to clarify course content and practise relevant skills
• writing workshops to assist development of appropriate techniques with feedback from peers and teacher
• independent research and study, working through the course requirements as presented in classes, online and through learning materials

Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.

The University Library has extensive resources for Professional Writing and Editing students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies http://rmit.libguides.com/wcprp. 

The Library provides guides on academic referencing https://www.rmit.edu.au/library/study/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian.

Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Non Fiction portrait of place (15%)
Individual
Aligned course learning outcomes: 2, 3

Assessment Task 2A: Reflection and scheduled 8-10 min one-on-one with teacher (5%)
Individual
Aligned course learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5

Assessment Task 2B: Read and write a creative non-fiction scene (35%)
Individual
Aligned course learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5

Assessment Task 3: Personal essay (45%)
Individual
Aligned course learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5