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Subjects in PWE
COMPULSORY SUBJECTS (First Year)
Computer Skills for Writers
Computer Skills for Writers will teach you medium to advanced Word skills
(including such things as tables and mail merges) and will introduce you
to the internet. As well, you will learn about Occupational Health and
Safety. If you have advanced computer skills, you can sit a credit test
after the first class, or some time through the semester when you feel
ready.
Editing 1
Editing 1 (first semester) focuses on grammar and punctuation. You will work through a
workbook and complete supplementary exercises provided by your teacher.
You will also study other aspects of language, such as spelling and clear
writing, and will learn about writing bibliographies, avoiding plagiarism
and collusion, copyright, and libel and defamation. Assessment is through
a series of open-book tests and an oral presentation.
In second semester you will look at grammar and punctuation problems and ways to correct them. You will also learn about style, sentence variety, paragraph construction, basic proofreading and editing, including the proofreading symbols, marking up manuscripts, the proofreader’s and editor’s role, heading hierarchies, style sheets and inclusive language. Assessment is through an open-book test, assignments and a folio of work.
Industry Overview
Industry Overview involves a series of lectures from visiting professionals
about a diverse range of topics, as well as excursions to writers' and local literary festivals. Speakers vary from year to year, but
you may have a publisher, a bookseller, an editor, a scriptwriter, a lawyer
(discussing the legal aspects of writing and editing), a poet, a children’s
writer, a past student, a novelist, a journalist – anyone involved
in the publishing industry. Assessment is through assignments, an oral
presentation and a journal. This subject is available online in Semester 2, 2008.
ELECTIVE SUBJECTS: FIRST YEAR
*Please also see Elective subjects that can be taken in first or second
year
Fiction Elements
This is a one-semester unit that leads on to either
Short Story B, Novel B or Script/Screenwriting B (or two or these if you so choose) in second semester.
You will learn about the fundamentals of fiction
writing: characterisation, point of view, setting, dialogue, theme etc.
You will participate in discussions, do writing exercises, analyse short
stories and extracts of novels, have lectures. You are expected to keep
a writing journal. Assessment is through assignments, including either
a short story, part of a script or chapter of your novel, and an oral presentation.
Story Structure
This one semester unit is a fundamental fiction writing subject that follows on or is studied in conjunction with Fiction Elements. You will investigate a range of story structure elements, look at how they are used, analyse stories and scripts for plot and construction, examine beginnings and endings, and write a range of exercises designed to examine how these work in practice. Assignments include analysis and writing a story or script of your own that illustrates structure and movement.
Novel B
Fiction Elements is a prerequisite subject for Novel
1 in Semester 2 (and Story Structure is also considered a pre-requisite). In this subject you will continue to work on aspects of fiction writing
but this time focusing on contemporary novels. You will look at plot,
character, theme, language and description, style and audience. You will
continue to workshop novels and learn how to redraft. You are expected
to keep a writing journal. Assessment is through assignments, including
chapters of your novel, and an oral presentation.
Short Story B
Fiction Elements is a prerequisite subject
for Short Story B, and Story Structure is also considered necessary. Short Story B continues the work begun in
Fiction (plot, characterisation dialogue, setting etc), but focuses on
the short story form. You are expected to keep a writing journal. Assessment
is through a series of assignments, including writing original short stories.
Non Fiction 1
In Non Fiction 1, you will develop a knowledge of the nonfiction writing
industry through the critical analysis of published feature and other
articles, writing exercises, lectures, workshopping, discussions and assignments.
Assessment is through assignments. Second semester work extends your non
fiction writing skills and includes interviewing, research techniques,
longer features and various markets for articles. You will also look at
issues of ethics, libel, defamation, as well as house style and readership.
Poetry 1
Poetry 1 focuses on contemporary poetry and looks at how to get ideas,
what publishers are publishing, language, style, voice, audience, and
polishing your poetry. You will be expected to write poems in class and
participate in workshopping. Assessment is through assignments, including
an oral presentation and a folio of poetry.
In second semester, as well
as working on free verse and studying poets and their work, you will analyse
and write form poetry such as sonnets, sestinas, villanelles, limericks
and haiku. You will do writing exercises, read and analyse poetry, hear
lectures, participate in workshopping and learn how to perform your work.
You are expected to keep a writing journal. Assessment is through assignments
and a folio of poetry.
Screenwriting B
In Screenwriting B you will look at various aspects of screenplays such
as language, structure and themes (including the scene, character, big
print, location, narrative and conflict), film analysis and criticism,
pitching, writing a treatment, first drafts. You will do writing exercises;
participate in workshops, discussions and the performance of scripts;
watch and analyse movies; and hear lectures. Assessment is through an
oral presentation and assignments. Semester 2 work further develops the skills learnt in fiction subjects (see above). Some of the topics you will cover are the three act
rising narrative structure, adaptation, film noir, genre and crime narrative,
writing to a format, how series are written, TV formats. Assessment is through assignments,
including pitching a screenplay.
Scriptwriting B
Scriptwriting B will introduce you to different types of scripts:
television, movies and theatre. You will learn about such things as monologue,
dialogue, structure, narrative, character, conflict, comedy, workshopping,
performance and formatting, and will produce live performance material.
Assessment is through assignments, including an oral presentation/performance. There will be an emphasis on theatre and scripts for live performance. Students are also required to write a longer
script and workshop part of it.
Writing Comedy for Performance 1
In this subject, you will develop skills to help you originate and develop
a comedy script for performance for stage or screen, and look at how to
prepare proposals and synopses. As well as analysing a variety of comedic
materials, you will learn about such things as creating fictional characters,
language, structure and themes for scripts. You will be expected to keep
a writing journal. Assessment is through assignments and an oral presentation. In Semester 2, you
will further develop your comedy writing skills with emphasis on situation
and sketch comedy. You will learn to do such things as identify comedy
markets, write comedy sketch materials and a storyline for situation comedy,
identify the stages of development of a situation comedy. Assessment is
through assignments..
Internet Skills for Writers and Editors
Internet Skills for Writers and Editors will teach you how to create and
manipulate websites and how to prepare graphics. You will learn design
and production skills for the internet using Dreamweaver, and be introduced to Fireworks and
Photoshop. You will also look at the skills required to write website content, examine the differences in audience expectation, and write content of your own. Assessment is through a
folio of work and an assignment.
Literature for Writers
In Literature for Writers, you will study a range of literature that includes
ancient Greek and Roman, English literature (Middle English, medieval
and Elizabethan literature) and Australian writing. You are expected to
keep a writing journal. Assessment is through assignments.
Writer and Research
Writer and Research aims to help you develop your research skills for
both fiction and nonfiction writing. You will learn about different sources
of information including technological sources such as the internet and
databases; interviewing; legal and ethical issues; and truth, validity
and accuracy. You are expected to keep a writing journal. Assessment is
through an oral presentation and assignments.
Photography for Writers
Please note that you will need a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera or good digital camera to complete
this unit. Photography for Writers will teach you how to use a 35mm or digital camera,
examine elements of composition, layout and design of photos, marketing and costing and the
relationship of text and images. You are expected to keep a writing journal.
Assessment is through assignments, including producing your own photographs.
Desktop Publishing 1
Computer Skills for Writers and Editors is a prerequisite subject for
DTP1. In this subject you will develop your design and production skills
using desktop publishing software. The software used is InDesign. You will produce newsletters, learn layout skills, design elements and manipulating images. Some students may choose to work on current course publications. Assessment is through assignments.
Practical Placement
Practical Placement is unlike other subjects in that you will go out and
gain experience in a real workplace. Previous students have worked at
a diverse range of places including newspapers, manuscript assessment
agencies, printing departments and publishing houses. We can advise you
on what might be suitable, but it is up to you to organise your own placement
with somebody in the industry. Some students do get offered ongoing employment
following their placement. Assessment is through a written report and
a report submitted to us by your supervisor.
We find that it is better when students do PP in second year, after they have completed Editing 1, and have more of an idea of what careers they are interested in.
Corporate Writing A
In this subject, a range of writing styles are examined in relation to
corporate and business communications. These include brochures, promotional
materials, press releases, reports and manuals. We sometimes offer further
units in Corporate Writing if there are sufficient enrolments. Currently Corporate Writing A is available to study online over 15 weeks.
Myths and Symbols
Myths and Symbols focuses initially on myth. You will study the myths of different
cultures, the meaning of myth in earlier lives and now, the use of myth
in film and literature, archetypes, mythic elements in other areas of
study (eg psychology), the quest and hero’s journey, mythic structures
and fairytales. You are expected to keep a writing journal. Assessment
is through assignments.
In Semester 2 we examine the use of symbols and symbolism in various media – for example in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, advertising, film
and artworks, so you will analyse various forms of writing and watch and
analyse films, as well as participate in discussions, do writing exercises,
hear lectures. You are expected to keep a writing journal. Assessment
is through an oral presentation and assignments.
Writing for Children (Younger Readers)
Writing for Children will teach you about writing and publishing children’s
picture books, including the publishing process and the role of the illustrator.
You will look at developing ideas, writing first drafts, rewriting and
polishing, language and reading levels, who reads these books and who
buys them. You are expected to keep a writing journal. Assessment is through
assignments.
In Semester 2 you will focus on chapter books for ages 6-10
years. Topics covered include structure, language, age suitability, popular
subjects, reading readiness, vocabulary and plot. You will also look at
publishers and the education market. Major assessment is based on a chapter
book manuscript.
Writing Picture Books (only available online)
Content is as described above in Semester 1 of Writing for Children (Younger Readers). Students study online for 15 weeks. More information on this unit for Semester 1, 2008, is available from Sherryl Clark.
Writing for Children (Older Readers)
This subject focuses on writing short and longer novels for 9-12 year
olds. Word lengths range from 8,000-25,000 words. You will cover various
aspects of writing fiction for this age group, including character and
plot, dialogue, vocabulary, concepts appropriate for age groups and popular
genres. You will begin a writing project. In Semester 2 you will continue
to develop writing skills for these kinds of short novels, look at markets,
workshop chapters and continue to work on a writing project.
Writing for Young Adults
In this subject, you will gain knowledge of the skills needed to write,
draft and market a novel for young adults (aged eleven and older). You
will learn the basics of fiction writing (character, plot, setting, point
of view etc), and audience appropriate language, themes while reading
and analysing the works of a variety of Australian authors, and writing
and workshopping original fiction. You are expected to keep a writing
journal. Assessment is through an oral presentation and assignments. Through workshopping, a range of writing exercises, lectures,
discussions and reading novels, you will further develop your novel writing
skills; you will also develop a knowledge of the publishing industry for
Young Adult fiction in Australia and learn how to prepare a submission,
including writing a synopsis. You are expected to keep a writing journal.
Assessment is through assignments, including chapters of your novel.
ELECTIVE SUBJECTS: SECOND YEAR
Editing 2
A distinction or higher in Editing 1 is a prerequisite for Editing 2.
In Editing 2, you will study the publishing process, printing, structure,
typography, artwork and creating briefs, and extend the editing skills
learnt in Editing 1 and further understand the role of the editor, through
taking a manuscript through the production process to final printing.
This will give you practical experience in the processes of book production.
Assessment is through assignments. Then you
will take the skills you learnt in Semester 1 and apply these in taking a manuscript
through the production process to published book, which will include selection
of material, editing, layout, proofreading, liaising with designers etc.
Assessment is through assignments.
Non Fiction 2
Non Fiction 1 is a prerequisite subject for Non Fiction 2. In
2, you will look at a range of extended nonfiction genres and subjects;
generate ideas; plan, structure, write and workshop original writing;
prepare project outlines; undertake research; and use illustrative material.
Assessment is through assignments and an oral presentation.
Semester 2 focuses on the planning needed for longer projects, and a broader range of writing styles than covered in Semester 1. You will critically analyse published articles, do writing exercises and participate in workshops. Assessment is through assignments.
Short Story 2
Short Story 1 is a prerequisite subject for Short Story 2. Short Story
2 takes the skills learnt in first year and develops these further. Through
class discussions, critical analysis of published stories, writing exercises,
workshopping and take-home assignments, you will learn about how to write
publishable short stories. You will need to keep a writing journal. Assessment
is through assignments, including writing original short stories, and
an oral presentation. In Semester 2, you will deepen your
knowledge about the short story industry. You are expected to keep a writing
journal. Assessment is through assignments, including writing original
stories.
Screenwriting 2
In Screenwriting 2 you will begin work on a major
project – a fifty-minute screenplay, telemovie or television episode
– and will workshop this in class. Assessment is through oral presentations
and assignments.
In Semester 2, you will continue to work on a major project begun in Screenwriting
2A and will look at the work of screenwriters and script editors. You
will learn how to identify appropriate areas in the industry to market
your scripts. Through viewing and analysing films, and participation in
discussions and workshops, you will explore film language and narrative.
Assessment is through assignments.
Novel 2
Novel 1 is a prerequisite subject for Novel 2. Novel 2 builds on the
skills learnt in first year. You will look at character, plot, theme,
point of view, setting, dialogue etc in more depth. You will participate
in discussions, do writing exercises, hear lectures, role-play, analyse
novels and novel extracts. You are expected to keep a writing journal.
Assessment is through assignments, including chapters of your novel.
Semester 2 focuses on further
development of your novel and how to bring it to a publishable standard.
You will look at rewriting and editing, outlining, writing cover letters
and synopses, book publishers and agents, how to prepare a manuscript
for submission. You will need to keep a writing journal. Assessment is
through assignments, including chapters of your novel.
Advanced Novel
Novel 2 or a Distinction or higher in Novel 1 are prerequisites
for Advanced Novel. This subject focuses on novel writing at an intense
level, and while there is some theory covered (character and plot development,
writing discipline), much of your class time will be spent workshopping
and discussing your and your fellow students’ novels. Assessment
is through workshopping and providing chapters of your novel.
Small Press Publishing
The purpose of this module, which runs for the whole year, is to develop
skills to produce a small press publication. It includes design and layout,
liaison with authors, editorial control, quality control, marketing and
distribution. Students are required to have a good knowledge of computers
and printing (minimum of Computer Skills for Writers, preferably DTP1).
You will work on the production of a book, a magazine or a website during this subject and publish
it by the end of the year. Students may work individually or in teams.
Please note that VU does offer other subjects
in the Diploma of Professional Writing & Editing, depending on student
numbers.
Professional Writing and Editing
Victoria University