Introduction to Creative and Professional Writing
UndergraduateCUR-PWP1102024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Step into the world of publishing and professional writing. Draft ways to conduct research when planning your writing. Focus on genres like the personal essay and the short story. Create your own written piece drawing on a range of techniques
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Creative and Professional Writing
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- identify and discuss the various roles and expectations of the writer in creative and professional writing contexts, with a particular focus on the ethics of representation
- analyse and discuss selected short written works in terms of audience, genre and language
- identify and employ a range of research sources used in creative and professional writing
- use clear and correct grammar, punctuation and sentence structure in producing new writing
- apply creative, critical and reflective thinking skills to the development of new written work and to the discussion of work-in-progress by peers.
- The role of the writer
- Self and other
- The ethics of representation
- Research methods 1 - the interview
- Research methods 2 - observation
- Research methods 3 - library and internet research
- Genre 1 - the personal essay
- Genre 2 - the short story
- Genre 3 - the feature article Bringing it all together to create your own work
This subject was previously known as Introduction to Writing.
This subject explores representation in writing and how the dynamic relationship between Self and Other plays a central role in the writing process. The representation of the self and of others is central to a broad range of written genres and forms. Students of professional writing will find that the subject introduces them to a variety of genres and forms essential to the portfolio of a professional writer, and will discover how creative writing techniques can enrich their professional work.
This subject is NOT an introduction to the mechanics of writing (grammar, punctuation, expression, etc.), but an introduction to the writing profession, publishing and the genres and forms of creative and professional writing.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.
- Journal (30%)
- Short Project (30%)
- Major Project (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 14
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 15
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Audio/Video Streaming
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Student feedback
41 student respondents between 20 Nov 2023 - 11 June 2024.
92%of students felt the study load was manageable
95%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (English Education)
UndergraduateCUR-SEN-DEG
Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Writing and Publishing
UndergraduateCUR-PWP-CTF
Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) (Professional Writing and Publishing)
UndergraduateCUR-CWP-DEG
Undergraduate Certificate in Creative Writing
UndergraduateCUR-CWG-CTF
Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)
UndergraduateCUR-PWP-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (Professional Writing and Publishing)
UndergraduateCUR-FAP-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing)
UndergraduateCUR-CWG-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Professional Writing and Publishing)
UndergraduateCUR-ICP-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing) (Visual Culture)
UndergraduateCUR-PVC-DEG
UndergraduateCUR-JPN-DEG
UndergraduateCUR-CHN-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Korean Studies)
UndergraduateCUR-KOR-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media)
UndergraduateCUR-NET-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Game Design)
UndergraduateCUR-AGD-DEG
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.