Students

ENGL8015 – Writing Creative Non-Fiction - An Introduction

2023 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Teacher
Willo Drummond
Contact via Email
By appointment
Convenor
Willa McDonald
Contact via 0426174101
10HA 150
By appointment only: Thursdays 1-3. Other times by arrangement.
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrWrit
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ENGX8015
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

Assignment Submission:

A high level of critical engagement with the set texts and active participation in the tutorials and/or online discussions is essential for passing this unit.

Rubrics are provided for each assignment that give information about the standards required to meet the learning outcomes at each of the grading levels - high distinction through to fail. Please be aware that the failure to meet one of the learning outcomes specified for each grading level can result in a lower grade. 

Assignments are to be submitted through Turnitin on iLearn. The assignments relate to building creative nonfiction writing skills. They will be assessed according to the appropriate 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.

Use the following checklist before handing in any work:

1. Typed, minimum of 1.5 line spacing, 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.

Late Assignments:

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

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

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. 

Consent Forms and Publication Wavier Forms

When a student interviews a 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 available on iLearn. The relevant form must be completed and attached to all assignments that involve interviews.

When students submit their work to a 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 Consent Form is completed and attached to the work for each person interviewed. Students should keep copies of all completed forms.             

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participatory task 20% No Ongoing
Creative work (minor) 10% No 11:55 09/04/23
Project Plan 20% No 09:00 26/04/23
Creative work (major) 50% No 11:55 28/05/23

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: 11:55 09/04/23
Weighting: 10%

 

Short 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.

Project Plan

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: 09:00 26/04/23
Weighting: 20%

 

Proposal or plan for major creative work

 


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.

Creative work (major)

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 42 hours
Due: 11:55 28/05/23
Weighting: 50%

 

Longer creative non-fiction 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.

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

DELIVERY

LECTURES AND TUTORIALS:

There will be a weekly online lecture in this unit. It will be pre-recorded as there will be no live lectures - the lectures will be accessible via iLearn.

Lectures and tutorials will start in week 1.

There will be a Zoom class in Week 7 to discuss students' major creative work planning.

  • Internal Students: There will be a one-hour weekly tutorial to discuss unit concepts, readings, and to workshop creative writing pieces. 
  • Online Students: Writing workshops and discussion of the lectures, readings and course topics will take place through online discussion posts.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Assignments are to be submitted via Turnitin - Please note the strict Late Penalty that applies.

TECHNOLOGY:

Lectures will be available on iLearn. The tutorial for internal students is scheduled face-to-face and synchronously on Zoom. Announcements, assignment tasks and other materials to be used in tutorials will be posted as needed on iLearn.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Reading from Week 1:

The set textbook is 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. It is also available online via Leganto.

Read Chapters 1 and 11 for Week 1; later weeks - see the iLearn weekly schedule for more details.

In preparation for Week 9, students are asked to read Behrouz Boochani's No Friend but the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison, Picador/PanMacmillan, Sydney, 2018.

Other required readings will be set each week, including creative nonfiction essays, blogs and book chapters, etc. These are available via the unit's Leganto site.

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 2023.01R of the Handbook