Students
ENGX2036 – Writing Popular Genre Fiction
2024 – Session 1, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Jimmy Van
Contact via Email
By appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit explores commercially popular fiction and genre fiction in the marketplace today. We begin by analysing the form and features of bestselling novels as well as mass-market genre fiction such as fantasy, science-fiction, suspense/thriller/horror, crime, and romance. We examine how generic forms crossover with each other, and how digital publishing enables the proliferation of hybrid genres and niche subgenres within the popular fiction market. Students learn how to identify different types of research fields that are relevant to their genre of interest, and to integrate this research into their creative writing in practical ways. There will be a particular focus on world-building, characterisation, and the development of character-driven plots. |
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 evaluate different readerships and audiences for popular mass-market genre fiction.
- ULO2: Identify and analyse practices and techniques of writing popular genre fiction.
- ULO3: Apply practical and theoretical knowledge of different genre conventions in creative written work.
- ULO4: Work collaboratively in groups to identify and analyse the features of popular genre fiction, and to build creative worlds within specific genres.
- ULO5: Critique and evaluate their own research and creative writing processes.
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 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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation and participation | 30% | No | Ongoing |
| Reviewing genre essay | 30% | No | 23:55 07/04/2024 |
| Creative Work | 40% | No | 23:55 26/05/2024 |
Preparation and participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 30%
Preparatory reading of set texts and other students’ creative works. Answering questions in weekly forums and contributing meaningfully to online discussion. Providing critical feedback on other students’ creative works.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate different readerships and audiences for popular mass-market genre fiction.
- Identify and analyse practices and techniques of writing popular genre fiction.
- Work collaboratively in groups to identify and analyse the features of popular genre fiction, and to build creative worlds within specific genres.
- Critique and evaluate their own research and creative writing processes.
Reviewing genre essay
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 23:55 07/04/2024
Weighting: 30%
Pick one book from a genre of choice and write a 1000 word review, based on secondary research, explaining how the novel explicates and/or deviates from its generic conventions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate different readerships and audiences for popular mass-market genre fiction.
- Identify and analyse practices and techniques of writing popular genre fiction.
Creative Work
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: 23:55 26/05/2024
Weighting: 40%
2000 word creative writing piece based on a particular genre or genres, accompanied by a 500 word reflective statement explaining techniques used and the research underpinning the creative work.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate different readerships and audiences for popular mass-market genre fiction.
- Identify and analyse practices and techniques of writing popular genre fiction.
- Apply practical and theoretical knowledge of different genre conventions in creative written work.
- Critique and evaluate their own research and creative writing processes.
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 begin in Week 1. Live Zoom lectures will take place on Mondays from 10am to 11am. Please consult the ENGL/ENGX2036 iLearn site to access the Zoom lecture link. These lectures will be recorded and made available to students through Echo360 on the ENGL/ENGX2036 iLearn site.
Listening to the lectures is expected before participating in the weekly tutorial. Missing lectures will reduce your opportunities for learning and probably result in poor marks across the unit.
Tutorials: Internal students in ENGL2036 must participate in the weekly on-campus tutorials.
External/OUA students enrolled in ENGX2036 and internal students enrolled in the Online-flexible mode will participate in the weekly tutorials via the iLearn Discussion Forums beginning in week 1.
Required texts:
Sophie Gonzales, Perfect on Paper (Hodder & Stoughton, 2020).
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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 connect.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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.01 of the Handbook