AustLit

This unit introduces students to the creative writing strand in the Professional Writing specialisation. The unit focuses on three writing areas - autobiography, short story and short film and teaches key techniques used to write about personal life experience, and to write short stories and short film scripts. Students read a variety of personal writing, from poetry to essays, and a range of mainly Australian short stories by established writers and film scripts which have been produced as films. Students also read the published fiction of Professional Writing students in the literary magazine Offset, and are encouraged to contribute to the magazine. Lectures focus on historical and contemporary aspects of writing and creative writing, and on the contexts in which creative writers work. The unit also features short film screenings and guest lectures by creative writers.