Students

ENGL8015 – Writing Creative Non-Fiction - An Introduction

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances

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

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Michelle Hamadache
michelle.hamadache@mq.edu.au
Hsu-Ming Teo
hsuming.teo@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrWrit
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this practical introduction to writing creative nonfiction students research and write a number of narrative non-fiction pieces from genres including memoir, personal essay, and environmental writing. We consider what creative non-fiction is, looking at the varied cultural contexts in which these very popular and influential texts are currently being written and published, with a focus on the Australian scene. This introductory unit is suitable for students from interdisciplinary backgrounds including creative writing, ethnography, cultural studies, journalism, philosophy and history. You devise your topics in consultation with the lecturer, and are guided in the development of skills in primary research and narrative writing techniques.

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: Develop creative nonfiction writing and reading skills in relation to concepts, topics, craft, technique and voice
  • ULO2: Plan, write, edit and rewrite text-based creative nonfiction works
  • ULO3: Analyse and discuss the work of others in varied writing communities
  • ULO4: Undertake advanced research utilising libraries, journal and archival databases, visual records, site visits and/or interviews
  • ULO5: Demonstrate knowledge of Australian and international writing and publishing.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

New Late Penalty Statement: 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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Creative work (major) 50% No 23:59 31/10/2021
Project Plan 20% No 9:00 27/09/2021
Participatory task 20% No Ongoing
Creative work (minor) 10% No 23:59 12/09/2021

Creative work (major)

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 42 hours
Due: 23:59 31/10/2021
Weighting: 50%

3000 word creative writing work incorporating concepts from unit
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop creative nonfiction writing and reading skills in relation to concepts, topics, craft, technique and voice
  • Plan, write, edit and rewrite text-based creative nonfiction works
  • Analyse and discuss the work of others in varied writing communities
  • Undertake advanced research utilising libraries, journal and archival databases, visual records, site visits and/or interviews
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Australian and international writing and publishing.

Project Plan

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: 9:00 27/09/2021
Weighting: 20%

Proposal or plan for major creative work, 1000 words max
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop creative nonfiction writing and reading skills in relation to concepts, topics, craft, technique and voice
  • Plan, write, edit and rewrite text-based creative nonfiction works
  • Undertake advanced research utilising libraries, journal and archival databases, visual records, site visits and/or interviews
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Australian and international writing and publishing.

Participatory task

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

Preparatory reading of set texts and other students’ creative works. Answering questions in weekly tutorials and contributing meaningfully to in-class discussion. Providing critical feedback on other students’ creative works.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop creative nonfiction writing and reading skills in relation to concepts, topics, craft, technique and voice
  • Plan, write, edit and rewrite text-based creative nonfiction works
  • Analyse and discuss the work of others in varied writing communities

Creative work (minor)

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: 23:59 12/09/2021
Weighting: 10%

1000 word creative work based on weekly writing exercises and responding to unit material
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop creative nonfiction writing and reading skills in relation to concepts, topics, craft, technique and voice
  • Plan, write, edit and rewrite text-based creative nonfiction works
  • Undertake advanced research utilising libraries, journal and archival databases, visual records, site visits and/or interviews
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Australian and international writing and publishing.

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

Lectures: Lectures will be recorded and made available to students through Echo360 on the iLearn site for this unit. NB: Lectures begin in Week 1. Listening to lectures prior to engaging in class discussions, whether in class, zoom, or online forums, is required.

Tutorials:

You must participate weekly in classes, whether online forums, zoom, or on campus, depending on offering and enrolment.

Readings:

Some readings will be available through leganto: an online resource linked to the iLearn site for this unit.

NB: There are three required readings for this unit:

  • Brenda Miller and Suzanne Paola, Tell It Slant, 3rd ed. McGraw Hill, 2019. Students should purchase this text from Australian suppliers: Booktopia has ebook and print copies of the text for sale; see also Gleebooks; Readings; Dymocks and other local suppliers.
  • Ashley Kalagian Blunt, How To Be Australian: An Outsider’s View on Life and Love Down Under. Affirm Press, 2020. Booktopia has ebook and print copies of the text for sale; see also Gleebooks; Readings; Dymocks and other local suppliers.
  • Rebecca Giggs, Fathoms: The World in the Whale. Scribe, 2020. Booktopia has ebook and print copies of the text for sale; see also Gleebooks; Readings; Dymocks and other local suppliers.

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:

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