Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Short Form Fiction Writing

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM2736

City Campus

Undergraduate

345T Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2016,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019

COMM2736

City Campus

Undergraduate

375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021

COMM2736

City Campus

Undergraduate

515T Creative Industries

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2022,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 2 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 will explore the writing of short form fiction for diverse Australian and international markets. You will explore the possibilities that digital publishing has created not only for the traditional short story but also for short fiction modes such as flash fiction, micro-fiction and very short fiction.
 
You will read, analyse and discuss a wide range of short fiction and explore traditional and more experimental storytelling conventions through writing activities. You will write stories in different modes and workshop your writing with your peers and teacher.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

This is an option course, which will complement the Program Learning Outcomes you are developing in your program.


Course learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. write original text using diverse short form fiction genres
  2. identify and apply storytelling techniques to give stories impact when working to restrictive word length
  3. analyse and discuss how length and publication mode impacts on the way you can tell stories
  4. give informed feedback to others on their short fiction writing, and use the insights of others on your own work
  5. identify and analyse a range of different publications, platforms and/or markets for your own short fiction.


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are:

  • studios, where you will learn through practice, exploration and reflection
  • lectures, which provide the framework for exploring short form fiction writing
  • completion of class exercises designed to clarify course content and practice relevant skills
  • writing workshops to assist development of writing techniques with feedback from peers and teacher
  • independent 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 https://rmit.libguides.com/writing-editing
The Library provides guides on academic referencing: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/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. 

Task 1: Micro-fiction, 20%, CLO 1–3, 5
Task 2: Flash fiction, 30%, CLO 1–3
Task 3: Short story, 50%, CLO 2, 4, 5


Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.