Students

MMCC3110 – Telling True Stories

2023 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Willa McDonald
willa.mcdonald@mq.edu.au
Contact via 0426174101
10HA 150
By appointment only: Thursdays 1-3. Other times by arrangement.
Convenor
Jessica Kirkness
jessica.kirkness@mq.edu.au
-
By Appointment or Tuesdays 2-5
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit we look at techniques and structures writers use to engage ever-more fickle audiences. Key readings are drawn from a number of platforms – books, feature articles, blogs, graphic novels, indie publishing – to exemplify some of the more dynamic and engaging recent trends in creative nonfiction writing. We focus in particular on new and novel ways of approaching the past – historical events, family sagas, crimes, eccentric and little known phenomena – and on new modes of writing about science, sport, technology and social change. Students are guided to find and develop their own original stories, and produce pieces of quality writing, suitable for print or broadcast.

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: analyse and critique key issues raised in the production of literary nonfiction writing.
  • ULO2: communicate and demonstrate literary nonfiction writing through in-depth relevant research using a variety of methodologies.
  • ULO3: apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership.
  • ULO4: construct and write stories yourself that fall into the broad category of literary nonfiction writing.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

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 non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Writing exercises 20% No ongoing 12/5/23 23:55
Research report and portfolio 30% No 21/4/23 23:55
Major project 50% No 30/5/23 23:55

Writing exercises

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: ongoing 12/5/23 23:55
Weighting: 20%

Produce short written pieces to develop writing and conceptual skills.

Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • analyse and critique key issues raised in the production of literary nonfiction writing.
  • communicate and demonstrate literary nonfiction writing through in-depth relevant research using a variety of methodologies.
  • apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership.

Research report and portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 21/4/23 23:55
Weighting: 30%

The research report will detail how the research will be used in the creative work. The portfolio will showcase the breadth and depth of research conducted for the creative work.

Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • communicate and demonstrate literary nonfiction writing through in-depth relevant research using a variety of methodologies.
  • apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership.

Major project

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 30/5/23 23:55
Weighting: 50%

Students are required to produce a literary non-fiction article.

Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • analyse and critique key issues raised in the production of literary nonfiction writing.
  • communicate and demonstrate literary nonfiction writing through in-depth relevant research using a variety of methodologies.
  • apply unique methods of presenting research in writing for a general readership.
  • construct and write stories yourself that fall into the broad category of literary nonfiction writing.

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

All lectures are pre-recorded and available online. Classes are online and take place via zoom. 

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