Commercial writing
950-803 From academic researcher to entrepreneurial writer
From Academic Researcher to Entrepreneurial Writer will provide an introduction to the different facets of writing for the commercial non-fiction marketplace, including an overview of the Australian media and publishing industry. This subject will provide practical guidance on how to get an opinion piece published or a media release onto the editor's desk. This practical component will be augmented by a series of case studies illustrating different approaches to communicating research to a general public. Case studies will be taken from several disciplines and may include commercial applications of science and biotechnology; the 'history wars'; and art and philosophy. Students will undertake a variety of writing exercises to put theoretical concepts into practice and to develop their writing skills with a commercial audience in mind.
Offered: in semester 1, 2008.
Contact hours: 4 per week x 12 weeks (total 240 incl. non-contact hours).
Mode of delivery: lectures/seminars.
Credit points: 25 points.
Prerequisites: enrolment in the Graduate Certificate in Commercialisation for Research Students. The certificate is intended to be undertaken concurrently with a research higher degree to support research students to fulfil the commercial potential of their research.
Assessment: students are required to submit a total of 14,000 words.
Prescribed text: a course reader will be available from the Writing Centre for Scholars and Researchers.
Co-ordinator: Simon Clews, Director, the Writing Centre for Scholars and Researchers.