Length: 500 words
The word count excludes the cover page, timeline table and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Weighting: 20%

Task: Submit a proposal describing the genre, plot, POV and concept of your short story for the term, along with a plan for completing this task. Creating a plan for a writing project will help you stay focused and organised. This proposal will guide you in completing your creative piece by the due date. 

Key Foci for the Proposal:

1. Conceptualisation:
   • Provide a clear concept for your short story.

2. Genre Standards:

   • State your chosen Genre.
   • Describe the indicators and tropes of your chosen genre (supported with credible references from the Creative Writing Discipline)
   • Explain how your story will meet these expectations.
   • Pro tip: Think about what works are similar, what works inspire you. Then consider what the literary qualities are that make your writing fit within that genre. Example: if you intend on writing a 'magic realism children's story' then state the indicators for this genre and the literary qualities that will make your creative piece a magic realist children's story and not some other genre).
     
     
3. Point of View selection and Rationale
   • Provide a rationale for why your chosen point of view (first-person, third-person omniscient, third-person limited, etc,) works for your story. 
   • Pro Tip: Ensure this aligns with your genre selection

4. Plot Overview:

   • Provide a brief overview of key plot points or relevant subject matter.
     Ensure it aligns with your chosen genre.
     Pro Tip: do not waste your word count on explaining the entire plot.

5. Writing Strategy: 
   • Beyond just 'sitting and writing', detail how you plan to get this done. Ask yourself:
     • What research is needed? (Do I need to research the setting? The mythology? Character traits?)
     • How will the research influence what is written? 
     • How will I manage my time? What time can I carve out to plan and draft and write this piece? 
     • Where will I go to get my writing done?
     • Will I ask any friends or family to beta read for me and how much time will I need for this? etc. 
   • Include a brief review of the relevant sources you intend to use. For example:  if you intend to write a historical romance, then some research on the time period in which the story is set and the context in which your character lives would be appropriate (to be done throughout the term, not by the time this assessment is due) as well as an indication of primary source material you plan to use to understand this time period. This might include resources you plan to use to understand any element of writing and the contents of your writing.
   • Include a short, concise "week-by-week" timeline in the form of a table with your proposed completion timelines. 
   • The Word Count EXCLUDES the Timeline Table.

IMPORTANT: This assessment is NOT a novel chapter, is it a standalone short story. 

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)

Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents (including but not limited to ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot) is as follows: 

• Level 2 AI PLANNING: AI may be used for pre-task activities such as brainstorming, outlining and initial research. This level focuses on the effective use of AI for planning, synthesis and ideation, but assessments should emphasise the ability to develop and refine these ideas independently. You may use AI for planning, idea development and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
• Examples of how you might use it:

  • Understanding/exploring concepts, topics, and terms

  • Understanding the marking rubric

  • Unpacking/understanding the assessment task

  • Identifying relevant databases and research search terms

  • Brainstorming assessment response ideas

• You must disclose all use of Gen AI in your submission.
• You are expected to reference how and where it has been used using the ALC reference guide as they have defined a mechanism for this.

More information related to the use of AI will be available in Moodle and students can contact the Academic Learning Centre. 

The assessment will be evaluated according to the extent to which the proposal:

1. Genre Selection and Standards: Clearly articulates the chosen genre with credible, discipline-specific references. Demonstrates understanding of genre conventions, indicators and tropes, and explains how the proposed short story will meet (or strategically subvert) these expectations.
   
   
2. Point of View Selection and Rationale: Provides a clear, well-justified rationale for the chosen narrative perspective (first-person, third-person omniscient, third-person limited, etc.). Demonstrates understanding of how POV choice aligns with both the genre and the story concept.
   
   
3. Story Concept and Plot Overview: Presents a clear, feasible concept for an original short story. Provides a concise overview of key plot points or subject matter that aligns with the chosen genre without unnecessarily detailed plot summary.
   
   
4. Writing Strategy and Planning: Demonstrates strategic planning through identification of necessary research, realistic time management, and a detailed week-by-week timeline. Shows evidence of thoughtful consideration of the writing process, including research sources and methodology for completing the project.
   
   
5. Presentation and Referencing: Presents the proposal with professional literary presentation, correct formatting, and accurate Harvard Author-Date referencing. Includes minimum of two (2) credible, scholarly, discipline-specific references that appropriately support key concepts (e.g., genre, POV, narrative craft). ONE of these references MUST come from the unit content and/or unit e-reading list (weeks 1 to 3).

Length: Part A: 1200-1800 words, Part B: 500 words
The word count excludes the cover page and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Task:

Two-part task: Submit a substantial draft of your short story alongside a critical reflection.

Part A (1200-1800 words) should present UP TO 1,800 words of your developing work, demonstrating your command of genre conventions, character development, dialogue, POV, and narrative craft as outlined in your proposal.

Pro Tip: Even if you've completed your story, do not submit more than 1,800 words of your draft. Only 1,800 words of work will be read and marked. 

Your final story will be UP TO 2,500 words. This is simply the DRAFT: your work in progress.

Part B (500 words) requires a critical self-reflection discussing your writing process, analysing how effectively you've implemented elements from your proposal, identifying areas for development, and outlining your revision strategy for the final submission. This reflection must be supported by minimum of 2 credible, scholarly, discipline-specific references using Harvard (author-date) style. ONE of these references MUST come from the unit content and/or unit e-reading list (weeks 1 to 7).

This assessment builds on your proposal's foundation while preparing you for your final creative piece, allowing you to receive valuable feedback during the development process. There will also be opportunity for peer feedback (both receiving feedback and providing to others) to inform your final draft.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)

Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents (including but not limited to ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot) is as follows: 

• Level 2 AI PLANNING: AI may be used for pre-task activities such as brainstorming, outlining and initial research. This level focuses on the effective use of AI for planning, synthesis and ideation, but assessments should emphasise the ability to develop and refine these ideas independently. You may use AI for planning, idea development and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
• Examples of how you might use it:
  • Understanding/exploring concepts, topics, and terms
  • Understanding the marking rubric
  • Unpacking/understanding the assessment task
  • Identifying relevant databases and research search terms
  • Brainstorming assessment response ideas
• You must disclose all use of Gen AI in your submission.
• You are expected to reference how and where it has been used using the ALC reference guide as they have defined a mechanism for this.

More information related to the use of AI will be available in Moodle and students can contact the Academic Learning Centre. 

Assessment will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Technical Craft: The draft demonstrates a command of language and style, effective use of literary devices, clarity and precision in expression, avoidance of clichés, and fresh and engaging descriptions.

2. Genre and POV: Adherence to chosen genre conventions (from proposal), appropriate structure and pacing for the genre and tone, effective scene construction, and consistent application of the proposed point of view.

3. Development and Originality: Thoughtful exploration of ideas, depth of character development, vivid setting details, distinctive authorial voice, original approach to the story.

4. Critical Self-Reflection: Depth of analysis of writing process and craft decisions, recognition of strengths and weaknesses in the current draft, clear revision strategy for the final submission, understanding of the writing process, and meaningful connection to the proposal, research, and unit content.

5. Presentation and Referencing: Adherence to submission guidelines, including proper formatting, meeting word count requirements, evidence of editing and proofreading, and minimum two scholarly references in Harvard (author-date) style. ONE of these references MUST come from the unit content and/or unit e-reading list (weeks 1 to 7).

Length: 3000 words (Part A: creative piece 2,500 words, Part B: critical reflection 500 words)
The word count excludes the cover page and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Note: It is acceptable in this unit to allow a 10% variation (either above or below) the word count. Students are strongly advised to accord within the word count of 3000 words.

Part A: Creative Piece (2,500 words)

Submit your polished short story that demonstrates the culmination of your writing journey from proposal through draft to final work. Your submission must include tracked changes/revisions from your Assessment 2 draft to demonstrate your revision process. Detailed instructions for using track changes will be provided in Moodle. Your submission should showcase refined craft elements, thoughtful implementation of feedback, and deliberate creative choices. The creative piece should build upon your proposal (Assessment 1) and incorporate developments made through your draft (Assessment 2), demonstrating growth in your writing practice.

Key elements of Part A:

• Effective demonstration of your chosen genre conventions
• Clear progression from your proposal and draft stages, incorporating feedback effectively
• Well-developed and consistent characterisation throughout the narrative
• Coherent plot and structure with purposeful narrative choices
• Proper industry-standard formatting including line spacing, font, paragraph indentation, and dialogue presentation

Part B: Critical Reflection (500 words)

Your reflection should provide focused analysis of your creative decisions and their effectiveness in achieving your intended goals. Document significant changes from your initial proposal and draft, explaining how and why these alterations improved your work. Evaluate how research and feedback shaped your final piece, while also examining your growth as a writer throughout the process. Critically assess what worked, what didn't work, and what you attempted in response to challenges—whether those attempts were successful or not. This honest evaluation demonstrates your developing understanding of craft and your problem-solving approach.

Your reflection should address:

• How your understanding of genre conventions evolved, including any preconceived ideas or assumptions about writing in your chosen genre that you challenged or revised during the writing process
• How effectively you applied key narrative craft elements (characterisation, plot and structure, setting, dialogue, point of view, pacing) and which elements presented the greatest challenges or growth
• How feedback from Assessment 2 informed your revisions
• Specific challenges or problems you encountered in your writing, the strategies you used to address these challenges, and an honest evaluation of how effective those solutions were as evidenced in your tracked revisions

This reflection must be supported by minimum of 3 credible, scholarly, discipline-specific references using Harvard (author-date) style. TWO of these references MUST come from the unit content/unit e-reading list.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)

Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents (including but not limited to ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot) is as follows: 

• Level 2 AI PLANNING: AI may be used for pre-task activities such as brainstorming, outlining and initial research. This level focuses on the effective use of AI for planning, synthesis and ideation, but assessments should emphasise the ability to develop and refine these ideas independently. You may use AI for planning, idea development and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
• Examples of how you might use it:
  • Understanding/exploring concepts, topics, and terms
  • Understanding the marking rubric
  • Unpacking/understanding the assessment task
  • Identifying relevant databases and research search terms
  • Brainstorming assessment response ideas
• You must disclose all use of Gen AI in your submission.
• You are expected to reference how and where it has been used using the ALC reference guide as they have defined a mechanism for this.

You may NOT use it to revise your short story! All tracked changes MUST be your own work. You cannot use any AI including Grammarly to alter your short story. ALL changes to your story MUST be tracked.

More information related to the use of AI will be available in Moodle and students can contact the Academic Learning Centre. 

Assessment will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Craft and Technical Execution: Demonstrates effective command of genre conventions and narrative elements, including point of view, characterisation, plot and structure, dialogue, and setting, in a polished creative work.

2. Creative Development: Shows clear progression from proposal through draft to final piece, demonstrating sustained creative engagement, consistent development of narrative craft, and authentic writing practice.

3. Research Integration: Effectively applies genre research and craft techniques in both the creative work and critical reflection, demonstrating clear understanding of literary conventions and how research informed creative decisions.

4. Problem-Solving and Revision: Exhibits strategic development from draft stage through effective response to feedback and resolution of narrative challenges, demonstrated through substantive and purposeful tracked revisions.

5. Critical Reflection: Provides honest, insightful analysis of creative decisions and writing process, including critical assessment of challenges encountered, solutions attempted (successful or not), and clear understanding of technical and artistic growth.

6. Presentation and Referencing: Adherence to submission guidelines, including proper formatting, meeting word count requirements, evidence of editing and proofreading, and minimum three scholarly references in Harvard (author-date) style. TWO of these references MUST come from the unit content and/or unit e-reading list.