Task: Submit a research portfolio plus 600-word research report. Details of this assessment will be made available in Week 1.

Marking criteria:

-       Demonstrated ability to conduct in-depth, relevant research using a variety of methodologies

-       Demonstrated ability to synthesise this research by focusing on one or two key themes to have emerged from it

-       Demonstrated ability to reflect on the relevance of such research to your proposed creative arts article

Submission:

This assignment must be submitted to the Student Centre (W6A) by 5pm on Tuesday 7 October.

Late Submission:

A late penalty of 10% per day will be applied.

Extensions:
Extensions will only be granted by the unit convenor in line with university policy.

Turn It In:

This unit does NOT use Turn It In.

Essay

Your task it to write a 2000-word article suitable for publication in a newspaper, magazine, street press, zine, blog, website etc, or suitable to be read on a radio or television arts and culture-type program. This is not a university essay and does not require footnotes and bibliography. Further details of the essay assignment will be distributed in Week 1.

Marking Criteria:

• -       Demonstrated ability to write vividly without using cliches, ‘showing’ not ‘telling’, and an awareness of nuances of meaning
• -       Evidence of intellectual investigation
• -       Demonstrated ability to synthesise in-depth research into a compelling, well-structured story
• -       Evidence that the writer has taken creative risks, both in choice of research/writing topic, and in the writing itself
• -       Demonstrated ability to write grammatically correct sentences, following accepted English syntax and punctuation.
• -       Evidence of a ‘voice’ in the piece – a consistent, warm, trust-worthy sense of authority

Submission:

This assignment must be submitted to the Student Centre (W6A) by 5pm on Wednesday 12 November 2014.

Late Submission:

A late penalty of 10% per day will be applied.

Extensions:
Extensions will only be granted by the unit convenor in line with university policy.

Turn It In:

This unit does NOT use Turn It In.

In-class quizzes:

During the course of the semester you will be required to complete an in-class test (worth 20% of your overall mark). The test will take place during the Week 11 lecture (Friday 31 October at 10am).  Students will answer questions based on the lecture content for the unit, as well as on the readings. The test is designed to assist you in demonstrating your knowledge of the unit content as a whole. You will be given 40 minutes in which to write your responses. 
You are strongly advised to complete all set readings and attend all lectures.

Failure to sit the in-lecture test will result in a mark of zero (0). If you miss the test due to a medical issue then you will be given the opportunity to sit the test at a later date. In such cases you must supply a medical certificate. Please note that medical certificates issued a significant period after the date of illness may not be accepted as these may be contrary to AMA guidelines for issuing medical certificates (http://ama.com.au/system/files/node/6505/Guidelines+for+Medical+Practitioners+on+Certificates+Certifying+Illness+2011.pdf).

Marking Criteria:

• Demonstrated understanding of the question
• Demonstrated knowledge of lecture and reading materials
• Application of materials to set question

Submission:

In-class test responses will be handwritten and submitted to the lecturer during the lecture on Friday 31 October 2014.

Writing Writing Exercises

The weekly writing workshops are the practical core of this course, so it is essential that the writing exercises be done and brought along in suitable form each week. Each week’s exercise must be typed (double-spaced), and you must bring 8 copies to your tutorial for workshopping. A schedule of weekly exercises will be handed out in Week 1. Write approximately 200 words for each exercise.

Marking Criteria:

• -       Demonstrated ability to write grammatically correct sentences, following accepted English syntax and punctuation.
• -       Demonstrated ability to write vividly without using cliches, ‘showing’ not ‘telling’, and an awareness of nuances of meaning
• -       Evidence of having understood the set task
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Submission:

To be handed to your tutor each week during your tutorial. Failure to submit by the end of each tutorial will result in a loss of marks.

Extensions:

Extensions can only be granted by the tutor in line with university policy.

Students will meet individually with their tutor in Week 4 (there are no tutorials in week 4). During this meeting, students will pitch two (2) story ideas to their tutor, including the plans/ideas for the research that would accompany these stories. Further details of this assignment will be distributed in Week 1.

Marking Criteria:

• Evidence that the student has undertaken planning in the preparation of their pitch
• Evidence that the student has understood what comprises a successful story idea
• Evidence that student has understood what comprises in-depth research
• Evidence of having understood the set task (including attending the 1:1 session as scheduled)

Submission:

The pitch is a verbal presentation (lasting 1-2 minutes) that students will make individually during their one-on-one consultation with their tutors in Week 4.