Course Title: Genre Fiction - Targeting the Market
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Genre Fiction - Targeting the Market
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: Dzintra Boyd and Sarah Vincent
Course Coordinator Phone: +61399254269 (Dzintra)
Course Coordinator Email: pwecoordinators@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: RMIT City Campus Building 94
Course Coordinator Availability: Appointment via email
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Enforced requisites – None
Required prior knowledge – COMM2452 Writing Fiction – Story and Structure
Course Description
This course focuses on the craft of genre fiction and will introduce you to the main genres published in Australia. Through workshopping your own writing and by reading a variety of works, you will explore the fundamentals of genre, as well as do a deep dive into your own chosen genre form. You will learn the conventions particular to different genres, including the payoff readers of genre expect. Through this, you gain insight into what makes a successful story from the point of view of both the genre writer and reader.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
3.Apply and creatively adapt theoretical and technical knowledge and skills to reflect the needs and expectations of varied readerships and markets
4.Identify, analyse, and reflect on relevant trends in writing, editing and publishing in both local and international contexts
8.Apply initiative and judgment in planning, problem solving and decision making in your practice as a writer or editor or in future study.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:
1.Explore the concept of ‘genre’ and what makes a story engaging to readers
2.Identify and employ the structural elements of a range of literary genres
3.Analyse in depth and fully apply accepted genre storytelling conventions
4.Further explore the ways in which fictional narratives are constructed and employed
5.Develop a critical awareness of your own writing in terms of readership and the commercial marketplace
Overview of Learning Activities
The learning activities included in this course are:
·seminars, providing the framework for exploring the elements of fiction writing
·class exercises, clarifying course content and practicing relevant skills
·workshopping, developing writing techniques with feedback from peers and teacher
·independent study, working through the course requirements as presented in classes, online and through learning materials.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.
The University Library has extensive resources for Professional Writing and Editing students. The library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies https://rmit.libguides.com/writing-editing
The library provides guides on academic referencing https://www.rmit.edu.au/library/study/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian.
Overview of Assessment
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.
To pass this course you must achieve a minimum grade of 50%.
Assessment marks will be added together across all submitted assessments and your final total mark must be equal to, or greater than 50%.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment 1 – Scene 20% (Individual)
Write a 700-word scene in your chosen genre.
This task supports CLOs 1, 2, 4, 5
Assessment 2 – Analysis 40% (Individual)
Write a 1,000-word analysis of your chosen genre.
This task supports CLOs 1, 3, 4, 5
Assessment 3 - Extended piece 40% (Individual)
Write a 1,500-word piece in your chosen genre.
This task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5