The Tempest of Clemenza
Pymble
:
Angus and Robertson
,
1996
Z210656
1996
single work
novel
(taught in 1 units)
'This dark, intelligent, aching tale within a tale within a tale tells the story of young Clemenza's last day of life in Ludlow, Vermont. You are seduced into enjoying yourself only to find at a most uncomfortable moment that this is for real.--Sydney Morning Herald.'
Summerland
Milsons Point
:
Random House Australia
,
2000
Z375736
2000
single work
novel
(taught in 1 units)
'They were society's golden ones, endowed with the privileges of youth and wealth, bred to live in a world of limitless possibility, but none of this could save them from self-destruction.
'Richard sits on the shores of Sydney Harbour, a hollowed out man remembering a lost paradise as he recounts the years he shared with his best friend, the charismatic heir Hugh Bowman. Gliding through a life of endless luxury and ease, they formed a charmed quartet with their childhood sweethearts, Helen and Pup.
'As adults they married and continued their tradition of summer holidays at Palm Beach, giving every appearance of leading charmed and immaculate lives. Like those beautiful people in magazines, their skin was unblemished, their smiles dazzling, the lighting just so. But as Richard confronts his memories what seemed so idyllic is revealed as a sinister drama of secrets, lies and betrayals.
'A masterful and compelling dissection of friendship, morality and society from a startling new talent.'
Source: Publisher's blurb.
Additionally, students study a select range of contemporary and classical novels and extracts as well as some secondary material that enhances their understanding of the art of novel writing.
The aim of this subject is to provide focus and encouragement to enable students to realise their aim of producing a strong draft novel or novella.
Subject objectives/outcomes
In this subject, students will:
produce the draft of a novel
acquire skills to reflect critically on their writing
acquire skills to revise and re-draft work in progress
acquire skills to reflect critically on fictional texts in English
study and practise formal and technical elements of novel writing.
Objective(s):a, b, c, e
Weighting:60%
Task:To complete the draft of a long work of fiction.
Assessment criteria:
Accomplishment of style
Accomplishment of structuring
Development of plot, characterisation and theme
Assessment item 2: To read and assess the full manuscript of another member of the class
Objective(s):b, d, e
Weighting:20%
Task:To read and write an assessment approx 2-3 pages of the full manuscript of another member of the class
Assessment criteria:
Demonstrated critical skills
Insightful reading skills
Assessment item 3: To present a critical appraisal of one of the set texts
Objective(s):d, e
Weighting:20%
Task:To present in class a short appraisal of one of the set texts demonstrating an understanding of the application of critical reading to creative writing.
Assessment criteria:
Demonstrated insight into techniques of novel writing in the work chosen
Ability to relate themes and issues arising from the work chosen to creative practice.
Garry Disher, Writing Fiction
Milan Kundera, The Art of the Novel
Jerome Stern, Making Shapely Fiction
William Strunk & E.B White, The Elements of Style
Brenda Walker (ed), The Writer's Reader
