University of Technology Sydney

57189 Writing Project 2

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication: Journalism and Writing
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 57188 Writing Project 1
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 57034 Professional Writing Project

Description

This subject is designed for students who, having completed Writing Project 1, have substantial experience in writing and are ready to work independently. Working under the supervision of an appropriate member of staff, students complete and polish their 15,000-word (or equivalent) creative project to a high standard (this 15,000-word project includes the 7,500-word, or equivalent, project undertaken in Writing Project 1, though these may be substantially rewritten, if desirable). The writing may be in any genre, depending on the viability of the project and the availability of an appropriate supervisor. Students are encouraged in this subject to explore and extend the possibilities of their chosen form and genre. They are also encouraged to independently form their own writing groups in which to discuss their work.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the form and genre in which the student is working
b. Understand these works critically in relation to their own work, with an eye to deepening and extending their own chosen form and genre
c. Demonstrate writerly skills appropriate to genre; including pacing, scene construction, sophistication of language, and correct spelling and grammar
d. Deliver a substantial creative writing project to a standard appropriate to the form, genre and/or industry

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

  • Write to a publishable standard across a range of genres, demonstrating an advanced understanding of the appropriate use of different writing forms (1.1)
  • Negotiate and understand the specifications of commissioned writing tasks in diverse environments (1.2)
  • Understand, reproduce and experiment with genre and form (2.1)
  • Critically and reflexively engage in research and writing practice for a major work with a high degree of personal autonomy and accountability (2.3)
  • Convey complex ideas in writing clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences, across a range of media formats (6.1)
  • Explain the importance of drafting and rewriting in the writing process (6.3)

Teaching and learning strategies

Students are required to submit a project proposal in Writing Project 1 (which will include the planned genre, length, form, and style of the project, along with details of planned reading and research and timetable) for approval before they embark on their Writing Project. The details of the proposal will be finalised in consultation with the appropriate academic supervisor, and the proposal will be reworked to include a small bibliography or filmography. Depending on the nature of the project, students will also be encouraged to form writing groups to meet regularly and discuss and assist the development of each other’s work. Each student meets with the supervisor for one-on-one discussions of the work in progress.

Content (topics)

Students will work with their supervisor to develop an individual workplan that is tailored to their project, i.e., in relation to form, genre and/or industry. This will be iterative in nature, and may include the setting of specific readings/viewings and writing tasks, creating student-led discussion questions, and providing written and verbal responses to draft work.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Project Progress Report

Objective(s):

a, b, c and d

Weight: 15%
Criteria:
  • Criticality
  • Clarity and depth of expression
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Criticality 50 a, b 2.1
Clarity and depth of expression 50 c, d 1.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Major Writing Project

Objective(s):

b, c and d

Weight: 85%
Criteria:
  • Clarity and depth of expression
  • Pacing, scene construction
  • Appropriateness of techniques to chosen form and genre (as discussed with supervisor)
  • Correct spelling and grammar
  • Originality
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Clarity and depth of expression 20 b, c, d 1.1
Pacing, scene construction 20 b, c, d 1.2
Appropriateness of techniques to chosen form and genre (as discussed with supervisor) 20 b, c, d 6.3
Correct spelling and grammar 20 b, c, d 6.1
Originality 20 b, c, d 2.3
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential work-shopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor.

In this subject assessment tasks are cumulative so that each task builds understanding and/or skills, informed by formative feedback. Consequently, all assessments must be submitted in order for you to receive feedback. Students who do not submit all assessments will not pass the subject.

Required texts

There are no set texts for this subject, however lecturers will recommend readings for individual students based on their projects.

References should be formatted in the referencing style used by the Program area. For example, for the BA Comm course, referencing should be in Harvard (UTS) style. Details of which can be found at http://www.bell.uts.edu.au/referencing/harvard_system

References

Bird, Carmel 2013 (1988) Dear Writer Revisited (Sydney: Spineless Wonders)
Browne, Renni & D King 2004 Self-Editing for Fiction Writers (New York: HarperCollins)
Chevalier, J & B. Mehan (eds) 2014 Cracking the Spine: ten short Australian stories and how they were written (Sydney: Spineless Wonders)
Earnshaw, S (ed.) 2007 The Handbook of Creative Writing (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press)
Gardner, John 1991 The Art of Fiction (New York: Vintage)
Grenville, Kate, and Woolfe, Sue 2001 Making Stories: How Ten Australian Novels Were Made (St Leonards: Allen and Unwin)
Prose, Francine 2006 Reading Like a Writer (New York: Harper)
Wood, James 2008 How Fiction Works (London: Jonathan Cape)
Strunk, William Jr & EB White 1979 The Elements of Style (New York: Longman)

The above texts are general recommendations only for creative writing students. Specific texts will be recommended to students by the lecturer/s.