Key facts

UNE unit code: WRIT509

*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Not offered in 2024
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • No
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

UNE student studies on a laptop on her lounge at home

Creative non-fiction is one of the fastest growing literary genres in Australia and beyond. Creative non-fiction is the art of constructing actual lives, places, and events using storytelling techniques usually associated with fiction.

In this unit, you will be introduced to key sub-genres of creative non-fiction - such as biography, memoir, narrative journalism and true crime - from the perspective of the writer. You will analyse creative non-fiction in order to develop skills in writing creatively in one of the available sub-genres, supported by feedback and workshopping.

This unit also invites you to consider the ethics of writing at the boundaries of non-fiction and fiction.

Our supportive teaching staff are here to help you refine and extend upon your creative writing skills.

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
candidature in a postgraduate award
Restrictions
ENCO309 or ENCO509 or WRIT309
Combined units

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Lili Paquet
Lili PaquetSenior Lecturer in Writing - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. integrate theoretical knowledge of non-fiction practices, forms and techniques into the development of a work of creative non-fiction;
  2. identify, analyse and evaluate narrative techniques and conventions of at least one genre of creative non-fiction;
  3. initiate independent research and integrate findings into the analysis and production of non-fiction;
  4. apply narrative techniques and conventions to develop a complex piece of creative non-fiction project that engages with critical and creative processes and is informed by extensive research;
  5. work independently and collaboratively through workshops to develop a work of creative non-fiction; and
  6. recognise, research, and, develop strategies to address, ethical issues related to writing creative non-fiction.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Creative Work & ExegesisYes60%All offerings

Creative non-fiction work in one of the genres studied in the unit and an accompanying exegesis.

No. Words: 3500

Textual Analysis and PlanYes30%All offerings

Textual Analysis and Plan for Creative Non-fiction. Part one: Written analysis of set reading in chosen creative non-fiction genre, identifying and examining genre conventions and narrative techniques with reference to scholarship. Part two: Plan for creative non-fiction piece in response to the set reading analysed, focusing on informed use of genre conventions and narrative techniques. Identification of any ethical issues and a plan for navigating them.

No. Words: 2500

WorkshopsNo10%All offerings

Structured, collaborative workshops (either online or on-campus) to develop and revise a work of creative non-fiction.

No. Words: 500 (equivalent)

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

A five-star experience

2024 Overall Experience Good University Logo

Five Stars,
18 Years in a Row

UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 18 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience

Good Universities Guide 2007-2024
2024 Student Experience Good University Logo

No.1 in NSW for
Student Experience

QILT (government-endorsed) ranks UNE as the top public NSW uni for Student Experience

QILT Student Experience Survey
2024 Teaching Quality Good University Logo

Five Stars for
Teaching Quality

UNE rates among the top 20 per cent of universities in Australia for Teaching Quality

Good Universities Guide 2024
Woman studying online at home

Studying online

At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.

We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*

*The Good Universities Guide

Stay connected

Register your interest and we'll keep you updated

UNE collects personal information to help with your enquiry and for marketing. Information may be disclosed outside of NSW and Australia through third parties acting for UNE. By entering your details you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Notice and consent to this disclosure.

Why study with us?

Graduate and mother Claire Haiek at work as a parenting producer at kidspot.com.au

I'm grateful to UNE for the opportunities studying has given me, but above all, for making me realise I could actually do it, and giving me a sense of accomplishment.

Claire Haiek, graduate, Pathways Enabling Course (photo: kidspot.com.au)

What happens next?

laptop icon
1. Decide on your course

Got any questions about a course you would like to study? Don’t hesitate to contact us, our Future Student team is standing by to help.

pencil icon
2. Apply

2024 applications are now open. The application process only takes 20 minutes to complete. Don’t delay, apply now!

form icon
3. Receive an offer, enrol and start studying

Your start date is based on the study period you choose to apply for.