CWRI20002 Short Fiction
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- No final exam: all coursework
- About 3 class hours a week
Is CWRI20002 hard?
CWRI20002: Easier. Makes it easier: Reviewers say the workload is light, No final exam.
What you learn
The craft of short fiction: plot, conflict, character, point of view and style, reading stories from modernism to now.
After it you can
- Use core techniques of short fiction
- Analyse how published stories are built
- Write and revise your own short stories
What you need first
None
How it’s assessed
Assignments 25%, Presentations 75%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 5 students on StudentVIP (2013–2020)
- Tutorials and feedback on your short fiction were the highlight for most, though how much you get out of it depends on your tutor and class.
- Lectures rotate between many guest speakers, which some found disjointed; in 2020 lectures stopped after week 9.
- Time commitment is low, with the two main pieces due at the end, so it helps to arrive with a story idea. Not ideal as your first creative writing subject.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate CWRI20002
Quick answers
- When is CWRI20002 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1.
- What do I need before taking CWRI20002?
- No prerequisites.
- Does CWRI20002 have a final exam?
- No, there is no final exam. Assessment: Assignments 25%, Presentations 75%.
- Is CWRI20002 hard?
- From 5 student reviews on StudentVIP: Tutorials and feedback on your short fiction were the highlight for most, though how much you get out of it depends on your tutor and class.
- What do students say about CWRI20002?
- Tutorials and feedback on your short fiction were the highlight for most, though how much you get out of it depends on your tutor and class. Lectures rotate between many guest speakers, which some found disjointed; in 2020 lectures stopped after week 9. Time commitment is low, with the two main pieces due at the end, so it helps to arrive with a story idea. Not ideal as your first creative writing subject.
- How many class hours a week does CWRI20002 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take CWRI20002 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science.
- Can I rate CWRI20002?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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