Critical Friends: The Real and Virtual Support of Writers
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 150 contact hours - Online
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning. For Online unit delivery, learning is conducted exclusively online.
2024 teaching periods
| Hawthorn HOL Study Period 1 |
Hawthorn HOL Study Period 2 | |
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Aims and objectives
This unit focuses on the acquisition of a specific set of skills that writers need before their writing is ready for publication. It achieves this by introducing students to the essential elements of the writing craft, such as plot, setting, character etc. This unit also gives learners the opportunity to develop and apply the skills of critiquing and editing in a collaborative online environment. It explores how 'critical friends' can enrich others' writing ability and further their own insights into the processes of writing.
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. Identify and critically apply the conventions, methodologies, and techniques needed for professionally critiquing pieces of writing
2. Demonstrate practical skills in evaluating and diagnosing the strengths and weaknesses in their writing and writing practice and in the work and practice of others, and be able to hypothesize solutions to these weaknesses
3. Plan, research, and produce a report/document that reflects upon and evaluates the challenges and strengths of a piece of writing
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment and content.
Teaching methods
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.5 | 12 | 150 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Assessment
Types | Individual/Group Role | Weighting | Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) |
| Written Assignment | Individual | 60% | 1, 2, 3 |
| Online Discussion Threads | Individual/Group | 40% | 1, 2, 3 |
Content
- What is a critical friend
- Practical strategies for overcoming the blank page
- The essential elements of writing, including plot, character, setting etc
- Models of genres and forms of writing and how these work with the idea of critical friendship
- Critical and cultural theories and using these to enrich writing
- Developing peer feedback and self-editing skills
- Graduate Attribute: Communication Skills - Verbal Communication
- Graduate Attribute: Communication Skills - Communicating using different media
- Graduate Attribute: Teamwork Skills - Collaboration and negotiation
- Graduate Attribute: Teamwork Skills - Teamwork roles and processes
- Graduate Attribute: Digital Literacies - Technical literacy
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required texts will be made available in the Unit Outline.