Creative Writing: Narrative Fiction (WRIT1110)

Course overview

WRIT1110 introduces students to creative writing and narrative through the art and techniques of the short story.

How do writers of great short fiction create their work?

Through a series of lectures, in-depth readings and practical writing exercises, this course will answer this question and help you become a better creative writer. You will learn to read like a writer by studying examples of great short stories from the 19th century until today, examining the techniques writers use so that you can improve your own writing.

WRIT1110 is a first-level component of the Major and the Extended Major in Writing within the BA degree, but is also available to other students as an elective or as part of a minor in Writing.

Your course leaders and lecturers are Dr Sarah Klenbort and Dr Emily Larkin, nationally and internationally published authors of novels and award-winning short stories.

Course requirements

Assumed background

This course requires you to have good English language communication skills, particularly in relation to writing. You must be committed to enhancing these skills in the development and writing of narrative fiction. This means that you are an individual who reads widely and possesses the urge to write creatively. It is expected that you will have some understanding of the fundamental principles of narrative fiction in terms of character, plot, theme, setting and structure. You are also assumed to be competent in using Word, PDF documents, BlackBoard, e-mail and the Internet as these tools are integral to the course.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

WRIT2110

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:

• Your name 
• Your student ID 
• The course code 
• A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference) 
• Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP 

Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team. 

Aims and outcomes

This course will provide you with:

• an introduction to the nature and significance of narrative fiction,
• experience in using the skills required in the writing of narrative fiction,
• direct feedback on your creative writing efforts,
• an introduction to publishing and the publishing world,
• a critical understanding of the techniques of short narrative fiction, the editorial skills required to edit your fiction, and ways to best provide feedback to other writers.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Reading Responses in Tutorials

• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Oral, Written

Category

Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection, Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

10% The Reading Responses due in Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 will be worth 1% each. The final Reading Response, due in Week 12, will be worth 2%.

Due date

23/02/2026 - 18/05/2026

The Readings Responses are to be completed in-person during tutorials in Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 12. This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04

Task description

Submission guidelines

Reading Responses 1-8 must be submitted via the submission tabs in the Reading Responses folder on BlackBoard during the time allocated in tutorials. Reading Response 9 must be submitted in class.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Please note: this is a class assessment item and students are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal. If you cannot attend your tutorial because of circumstances that would support an extension (see UQ guidelines on extensions here), then you can contact your tutor before your scheduled tutorial to arrange the completion of the reading response task within 24 hours of your scheduled tutorial.

Late submission

If a student is unwell or unable to attend class, they may email their tutor with a medical certificate and/or other supporting documents and request a make-up task. Requests submitted without supporting evidence will not be granted.

Writing Exercise (WE)

Mode

Written

Category

Creative Production/ Exhibition

Weight

15% 500-word short story (+/- 10%)

Due date

13/03/2026 4:00 pm

Submit your work as a single Word doc or PDF to the link on Blackboard by the deadline.

Learning outcomes

L02

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

TurnItIn Receipts: 

This assignment will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial. 

When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can: 

• View the name of the submitted file 
• View date and time of the upload 
• Resubmit your paper (if necessary) 
• Download your submitted paper 
• Download digital receipt. 

If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work). 

If the submission was not successful: 

• Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).  
• Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again. 
• If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached. 

Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Unapproved and unauthorised late submission of progressive assessment will be penalised 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item, for a maximum of 7 days – after which a mark of zero will be recorded. The first day an assessment is counted as late is anytime after the 4pm deadline on the day an assessment is due.

Short Story Exam

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Creative Production/ Exhibition, Examination

Weight

30% 700-word short story (+/-10%) in exam conditions

Due date

In-semester Saturday

28/03/2026 - 2/05/2026

This is an in-person, closed-book exam where students must submit their work on paper by the deadline. Students are not permitted to take notes into the exam or to use or access any digital devices.

Other conditions

Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L02

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

This is an in-person, closed-book exam where students must submit their work on paper by the deadline. Students are not permitted to take notes into the exam or to use or access any digital devices.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

If you cannot attend the exam because of disability, illness, or other circumstances, then please contact the course convenors prior to the exam and consider applying for a deferred exam.

Final Short Story

Mode

Written

Category

Creative Production/ Exhibition, Reflection

Weight

45% 1800-word complete short story and 200-word exegesis (+/-10% overall word count)

Due date

29/05/2026 4:00 pm

Submit your work as a single Word document or PDF via Blackboard.

Learning outcomes

L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

TurnItIn Receipts: 

This assignment will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial. 

When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can: 

• View the name of the submitted file 
• View date and time of the upload 
• Resubmit your paper (if necessary) 
• Download your submitted paper 
• Download digital receipt. 

If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work). 

If the submission was not successful: 

• Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).  
• Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again. 
• If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached. 

Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

In certain circumstances, you may apply for an extension. Whenever possible, please apply in advance of the deadline. For more information about applying for an extension, please review the information in this link.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Unapproved and unauthorised late submission of progressive assessment will be penalised 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item, for a maximum of 7 days – after which a mark of zero will be recorded. The first day an assessment is counted as late is anytime past the deadline on the day the work is due.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

• Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.  
• Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

• Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course. 
• Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator. 
• Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request. 
• Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules. In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university. 
• Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

The short stories you will need for this course will be made available via BlackBoard. These stories will become the basis of the Reading Responses you will need to complete, and will be discussed and analysed in lectures and tutorials.

Please also remember that one of the best ways to learn about writing (other than to write in your own time, a lot) is to read more, both within and outside the genres you might normally like. Reading high quality articles and reviews is also very helpful and is encouraged, so please aim to read widely as part of this course and through your ongoing studies.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
• AI for Assessment Guide
• Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

Course guidelines

Communication Expectations 

While you are a student at UQ, all communication must be conducted according to the UQ Student Code of Conduct. The UQ Library has a helpful Communicate and collaborate online module.  

• Email is the primary way for you to send messages to, and receive information from, the School and our staff.  
• You must use your UQ email address (not a private address) to communicate with staff.   
• You should add a clear subject line, including course code, and a 2-3 word statement.  
• You can send email at any time, however please do not expect responses outside normal working hours (Monday to Friday from ~8am to ~5pm).  
• Emails that constitute bullying, harassment or discrimination against staff contravene the Student Code of Conduct. Emails like this will be reported to the University, and the matter will be pursued as misconduct.