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.   

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.

• 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. External students will work asynchronously via online forum. 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, 3^rd 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.

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.