Assignment Submission:

Assignments are to be submitted through Turnitin on iLearn. The assignments relate to developing a regular practice of fiction writing and building writing skills for a sustained creative work like a novel or novella. They will be assessed according to the appropriate rubrics which will be provided on the unit's iLearn site.

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 (where required) printed at the end of the piece.
4. Grammar correct.
5. Correct referencing provided where necessary (that is, in the documentation of research). The Discipline of Literature and Creative Writing uses the Modern Languages Association (MLA) referencing format. A guide to referencing will be provided to students.

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.

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 http://connect.mq.edu.au. 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

LECTURES

Lectures will be recorded and made available to students through Echo360 on the ENGL/ENGX8026 iLearn site. Lectures begin in Week 1.

TUTORIALS

Classes start in Week 1.

• Internal Students: There will be a one-hour weekly tutorial to discuss unit concepts and content, and writing techniques. 
• Online Students: Discussion of  unit concepts and content, and writing techniques, will take place through online discussion posts.

Participation in tutorial classes or online discussion forums is optional in this unit. 

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. External students will work asynchronously via online forums. Announcements, assignment tasks and other materials to be used in tutorials will be posted as needed on iLearn.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

NB: In this unit, it doesn't matter which edition you buy or borrow, or whether you purchase the e-book (when available) or hard copy.

• Alan Watt, The 90-Day Novel, 3rd edition. Writers Tribe Books, 2017. ISBN-13: 978-1937746247. 
• Prasanthi Ram, Nine Yard Sarees. Ethos Books, 2023. https://www.ethosbooks.com.sg/products/nine-yard-sarees.
• Hsu-Ming Teo, Love and Vertigo. Allen and Unwin, 2000. Available as an e-book in the Library.
• Kim Kelly, The Rat Catcher: a love story. Brio Books, 2022.