Students
ENGX1021 – An Introduction to Creative Writing
2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Marcelle Freiman
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Creative writing involves expression and skills. It also involves reading. This practical unit introduces students to different approaches and ways of thinking about creative writing. Students engage in a series of lectures and workshops, learning a range of creative writing skills and topics. Students are encouraged to be experimental and adventurous in their writing. Seminars address different creative writing topics and readings so that students can learn about various genres, methods and approaches. The workshops are interactive; they aim to increase understanding of the process of creative writing. The aim of this unit is for students to learn, achieve and realise their creativity and writing skills in their creative work, engaging with lecture and reading content and participating in writing workshops, on-course writing exercises, and doing set assignments.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Achieve creative writing and reading skills in relation to concepts, topics, craft, technique and voice
- ULO2: Evaluate creative writing processes
- ULO3: Identify, engage with and apply concepts of narrative form and poetry
- ULO4: Analyse and discuss the work of others in group discussions
General Assessment Information
- Written assignments are submitted via Turnitin links in iLearn.
- Participatory tasks include four quizzes on unit readings which must be completed, and an online Workshop Activity (See schedule).
Important: It is a requirement of this unit that all creative work handed in for workshops or as assignments is new, original work written for and during this unit. It must must engage with the unit topics and content. Work from a concurrent unit or previous units or studies must not be presented for workshops or assessments. Creative writing written prior to the unit commencing cannot be presented either.
Late submission of Assignments
Please note that the University and the Faculty of Arts have launched a new assessment policy effective as of 1 July 2021. This new policy particularly affects LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS.
The Faculty policy in relation to late assessment submissions is as follows:
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests, etc.
To be very clear:
- Unless you have applied for special consideration and had your application approved, for each day your assignment is late, 10 marks will be deducted. For example, if you submit your assignment 7 days late, 70 marks will be deducted, which means you will fail that assignment.
- If your assignment is more than 7 days late (including weekends), you will get 0 for your assignment.
These are serious penalties that will substantially alter your final grade and even determine whether you pass or fail this unit. Please make every effort to submit your assignment by the due date.
If you find you cannot submit your assignment on time, please apply for Special Consideration through AskMQ. Make sure you read Macquarie University's policy regarding Special Consideration requests before you apply:
https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration
Requirements for Presentation of Assignments
- Proof-read your assignment before submitting it, preferably by printing it out and reading it on the page.
- Use double or 1.5 spacing, single spacing is not permitted.
- Use 12 point font and leave sufficient side margins (the standard 2.54 cm is fine).
- Left justification
- No fancy fonts – use only Times, Arial, Cambria, Verdana or other plain font.
- Insert page numbering and the word count at the end of the creative work and the reflective essay.
- Marks are deducted for failure to comply with these presentation requirements.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online discussions and participation | 25% | No | Ongoing |
| Creative Work (Minor) | 25% | No | 12/09/2021 |
| Creative Work and a Reflective Essay | 50% | No | 31/10/2021 |
Online discussions and participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 25%
- Read assigned readings in preparation for online discussions each week. - Read class peers’ submitted creative writing and provide written feedback in online workshop discussion forums.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Achieve creative writing and reading skills in relation to concepts, topics, craft, technique and voice
- Evaluate creative writing processes
- Identify, engage with and apply concepts of narrative form and poetry
- Analyse and discuss the work of others in group discussions
Creative Work (Minor)
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: 12/09/2021
Weighting: 25%
Creative writing: narrative prose or poetry. Scaffolded task.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Achieve creative writing and reading skills in relation to concepts, topics, craft, technique and voice
- Evaluate creative writing processes
- Identify, engage with and apply concepts of narrative form and poetry
Creative Work and a Reflective Essay
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 31/10/2021
Weighting: 50%
Creative writing consisting of prose, or poetry, and a reflective essay
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Achieve creative writing and reading skills in relation to concepts, topics, craft, technique and voice
- Evaluate creative writing processes
- Identify, engage with and apply concepts of narrative form and poetry
- Analyse and discuss the work of others in group discussions
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
The unit is delivered using asynchronous online delivery within a weekly schedule. Lectures and tutorial discussions begin in Week 1.
Lectures are pre-recorded and available in Echo via the unit iLearn website.
Tutorial discussions are conducted using online forums.
All prescribed readings and a number of the recommended texts are available online from the library, via the Leganto link in iLearn.
The Participatory task includes periodic quizzes on the readings, and an online Workshop Activity during Week 9.
Unit Schedule
Week 1 - Introduction to Creative Writing
Week 2 - Prompt to draft: process and reflection
Week 3 - Approaches to writing 1
Week 4 - Approaches to writing 2
Week 5 - Story and narrative
Week 6 - Time in narrative
Week 7 - Focalisation
Week 8 - Language - dialogue and register
Week 9 - Workshop week
Week 10 - Writing place, writing culture
Week 11 - Memory
Week 12 - Creativity and Writing, reflecting on the unit.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.01 of the Handbook