Writing Popular Genre Fiction
UndergraduateMAQ-ENGX20362025
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
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 24 Feb 2025
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Writing Popular Genre Fiction
About this subject
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate different readerships and audiences for popular mass-market genre fiction.
- Identify and analyse practices and techniques of writing popular genre fiction.
- Apply practical and theoretical knowledge of different genre conventions in creative written work.
- Work collaboratively in groups to identify and analyse the features of popular genre fiction, and to build creative worlds within specific genres.
- Critique and evaluate their own research and creative writing processes.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This unit explores commercially popular fiction and genre fiction in the marketplace today. We begin by analysing the form and features of bestselling novels as well as mass-market genre fiction such as fantasy, science-fiction, suspense/thriller/horror, crime, and romance. We examine how generic forms crossover with each other, and how digital publishing enables the proliferation of hybrid genres and niche subgenres within the popular fiction market. Students learn how to identify different types of research fields that are relevant to their genre of interest, and to integrate this research into their creative writing in practical ways. There will be a particular focus on world-building, characterisation, and the development of character-driven plots.
- Writing Portfolio (30%)
- Reviewing genre essay (30%)
- Creative Work (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
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- 10
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
Others
NCCW (pre-2020 units): ENGL236, ENGX236
Pre-requisite: 40 cp at 1000 level or above
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
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.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
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