Overview

To introduce students to the skills and knowledge of the practices, genres and techniques required of the professional novel writer, to critically and creatively engage with the concepts and processes of novel writing and to edit text for a novel.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
 

  1. Analyse concepts, processes, principles, theories and elements of the novel
  2. Analyse and evaluate a range of approaches to novel writing
  3. Develop and refine an original concept for a novel
  4. Determine style, genre and form, timelines and publication requirements
  5. Evaluate, review, revise and incorporate editorial advice

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Workshop
3.00 12 weeks 36
Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Readings
3.00 12 weeks 36
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning
6.50 12 weeks 78
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
EssayIndividual 35% 1,2,5 
Narrative Pitch and SynopsisIndividual 30% 1,2,3,4,5 
Written AssignmentIndividual 35% 2,3,4,5 

Content

  • Elements of the novel
  • Planning and developing a synopsis of an extended fictional narrative
  • Style, genre, tone
  • Authorial voice
  • Structure
  • Plot
  • Characters
  • Dialogue
  • Dramatic tension to sustain reader’s interest

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.