Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature

Program Overview

---

The Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature from Deakin University enhances writing skills, fosters literary understanding, and develops critical thinking abilities. It offers a range of writing and literature units, providing students with a solid foundation for careers in writing, publishing, and communication. The program can be completed in one year full-time or part-time equivalent, with intakes available throughout the year.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

---

Overview:

The Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature from Deakin University provides students with the opportunity to develop advanced writing skills and gain a deeper understanding of the theory and history behind great pieces of writing. The program is designed for aspiring authors, editors, and individuals seeking to enhance their writing abilities for various roles in publishing and marketing.

---

Objectives:

The Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature aims to:

• Enhance students' writing skills and provide a solid foundation in the craft and conventions of creative writing, professional writing, and publishing.
• Foster a deep understanding of literary theory and history, enabling students to analyze and interpret literary works effectively.
• Develop students' critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and research skills, which are highly valued in various fields of work.
• Provide students with opportunities to engage with industry professionals, gain practical experience through internships, and showcase their work through student-run publications such as Verandah Journal.

---

Outline:

---

Program Content:

The program consists of 8 credit points of study, including:

• Core Units (2 credit points):
• Foundations in Narrative Theory
• Foundations in Writing
• Writing Units (2 credit points): Students can choose from a range of writing units, including:
• Creating Your Arts Business
• Social Media Content Creation
• Writing the News
• Creative Nonfiction: The Personal Essay
• Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out
• Editing
• Publishing
• Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now
• Literature Units (2 credit points): Students can choose from a range of literature units, including:
• Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now
• Fantasy and Historical Fictions
• Graphic Narratives
• Writing for Children
• Texts for Young Adults
• Life Writing Now
• Sex, the Body, and American Poetry
• Elective Units (2 credit points): Students can choose from a range of elective units within the specializations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication, or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts, including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship.

---

Course Schedule:

The program can be completed in 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent. Intakes are available in Trimester 1 (March), Trimester 2 (July), and Trimester 3 (November) at the Burwood (Melbourne) campus and online.

---

Individual Modules:

---

Core Units:

• Foundations in Narrative Theory: This unit introduces students to the key concepts and theories of narrative, including narrative structure, point of view, characterization, and theme.
Students will analyze and discuss a range of literary texts to develop their understanding of how narrative works.
• Foundations in Writing: This unit provides students with a foundation in the craft and conventions of writing.
Students will explore different writing styles, genres, and techniques, and will receive feedback on their own writing from their peers and instructors.

---

Writing Units:

• Creating Your Arts Business: This unit guides students in developing the entrepreneurial skills necessary to establish and manage a successful arts business.
Students will learn about marketing, branding, budgeting, and networking within the arts industry.
• Social Media Content Creation: This unit provides students with the knowledge and skills required to create effective and engaging content for social media platforms.
Students will learn about content strategy, copywriting, visual storytelling, and social media analytics.
• Writing the News: This unit introduces students to the principles and practices of news writing.
Students will learn how to gather information, conduct interviews, write news stories, and adhere to journalistic ethics.
• Creative Nonfiction: The Personal Essay: This unit explores the art and craft of creative nonfiction, with a focus on the personal essay.
Students will read and analyze a range of personal essays, and will write their own essays that explore personal experiences and perspectives.
• Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out: This unit provides students with a foundation in the craft of fiction writing.
Students will learn about the elements of fiction, including plot, character, setting, and dialogue. They will also receive feedback on their own fiction writing from their peers and instructors.
• Editing: This unit introduces students to the principles and practices of editing.
Students will learn about the different stages of the editing process, including copyediting, proofreading, and developmental editing. They will also gain practical experience in editing their own writing and the writing of others.
• Publishing: This unit provides students with an overview of the publishing industry, including the roles of agents, publishers, and editors.
Students will learn about the different types of publishing, the submission process, and the business side of publishing.
• Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now: This unit examines the elements of effective short story writing, with a focus on the revision and editing process.
Students will read and analyze a range of short stories, and will write and revise their own short stories.

---

Literature Units:

• Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now: This unit examines the elements of effective short story writing, with a focus on the revision and editing process.
Students will read and analyze a range of short stories, and will write and revise their own short stories.
• Fantasy and Historical Fictions: This unit explores the genres of fantasy and historical fiction, with a focus on the ways in which they engage with history, culture, and imagination.
Students will read and analyze a range of fantasy and historical fiction texts, and will write their own creative works in these genres.
• Graphic Narratives: This unit introduces students to the art and craft of graphic narratives, including comics, graphic novels, and manga.
Students will learn about the different elements of graphic narratives, including storytelling, characterization, and visual design. They will also create their own graphic narratives.
• Writing for Children: This unit provides students with the knowledge and skills required to write for children and young adults.
Students will learn about the different genres of children's literature, the developmental needs of young readers, and the techniques of writing for children. They will also write and revise their own children's literature.
• Texts for Young Adults: This unit explores the unique challenges and opportunities of writing for young adults.
Students will read and analyze a range of young adult literature, and will write their own young adult novel or short story.
• Life Writing Now: This unit examines the genre of life writing, which includes autobiography, memoir, and biography.
Students will read and analyze a range of life writing texts, and will write their own life writing pieces.
• Sex, the Body, and American Poetry: This unit explores the representation of sex and the body in American poetry.
Students will read and analyze a range of American poetry, and will write their own poems that engage with these themes.

---

Elective Units:

Students can choose from a range of elective units within the specializations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication, or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts, including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship.

---

Careers:

---

Career Outcomes:

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature are well-positioned to pursue a range of career pathways, including:

• Author
• Editor
• Literary critic
• Publisher
• Advertising executive
• Communications specialist
• Copywriter
• Journalist
• Public relations practitioner
• English teacher
• Further studies in the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature)