A high level of critical engagement with the set texts and active participation in the lectures and workshops is essential for passing this unit.

All assignments submitted online via gradebook in iLearn will be assessed according to the student's overall ability to stimulate and engage the reader while adhering to professional standards (see rubrics).

Correct use of grammar, accurate spelling, demonstrated depth of research where appropriate and evidence that you have thought deeply about your subject matter are other important factors in assessing your work. Meeting the set deadline and presenting the work according to specifications will improve your mark. Group and individual feedback will be provided wherever possible.

While you are encouraged to show your work to your student colleagues for feedback, please be aware that the piece you submit must be your own work. Substantial editing by other people - family, friends, colleagues or professionals - is not permitted.

Presenting work for assessment

In the Writing strand we work on the assumption that you are preparing all coursework as if you were presenting material to real editors in the real world. Editors are people who read for a living. They read a lot. They read thousands of words a day and make decisions about it. If your work is poorly presented, what they will decide is that you are wasting their time. Consequently, marks will be deducted for failing to present work in an appropriate manner that would not offend the eyes of a professional editor.

Use the following checklist before handing in any work:

1. Typed, double spaced, with wide margins. 2. Spelling checked, including proper names 3. Word count done (where required) and printed at the end of the piece. 4. Grammar correct. 5 All book, film and other titles in italics.

Penalty for Lateness

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (including weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Compulsory Tutorial Attendance

You are required to attend all tutorials. As participation in the process of learning is linked to and underpins the unit Learning Outcomes, you will need to either apply for Disruptions to Studies to cover any missed tutorial (if the disruption is greater than three consecutive days) or supply appropriate documentation to your unit convenor for any missed tutorial (if less than three consecutive days).

Re-Mark Requests:

You can access information about appealing grades via this link: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/appeals Note you must meet the criteria stated in order to appeal.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of other peoples' work or ideas. It is a serious academic offence and attracts severe penalties. It is your responsibility to know what plagiarism is, and how to avoid it. 

Permission Slips and Publication Wavier Forms

When a student interviews a real person face-to-face, over the telephone, via email or through any other means, they must provide that person with information about the interview and how the resulting information gathered will be used. Students must also obtain written or emailed confirmation that their interview subject has understood and agreed to such uses. A standard form for this purpose is attached to this study guide (Permission Slip). The relevant form must be completed and attached to all assignments that involve interviews.

When students submit their work to a newspaper, magazine, website or other publication, whether seeking payment or not, they must obtain written agreement that the publisher will assume total responsibility for the publication of the story and indemnify the writer against any action arising from such publication. A standard form for this purpose -- a publication waiver -- must be used and can be obtained from the unit convenor.

Note: Your assignments will not be marked unless the required Permission Slip is completed and attached to the work for each person interviewed. Students should keep copies of all completed forms.           

Lectures will start in Week 1. Tutorials will begin in Week 2.

All lectures will be pre-recorded and available via iLecture. There will be no "live" lectures in this unit.

For current updates, lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetables website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au.

 Resources:

Each week during the course students will be asked to read articles relevant to the topic at hand. These will be listed each week in iLearn. The articles can either be sourced online or via the library. 

Technology:

Lectures will be available on iLearn, where announcements, assignment tasks and other materials to be used in tutorials will be posted as needed.

Changes to the Unit since 2019:

Some of the lecture content has changed to improve the learning experience for the students. The assessments have been updated, as have the weekly class participation assignments, in response to student feedback.  An emphasis continues to be placed on the formative nature of learning.