Course Title: Write complex documents

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2016

Course Code: OFFC5310C

Course Title: Write complex documents

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4358 - Certificate IV in Business Administration

Course Contact: Sylvia Baroutis

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5469

Course Contact Email: sylvia.baroutis@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Course Teacher:

Seymour Jacobson

seymour.jacobson@rmit.edu.au

+61 3  9925 1563

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan documents, draft text, prepare final text and produce documents of some complexity.

It applies to individuals who work in a range of business environments and are skilled in the creation of reports, information and general promotion documents that are more complex than basic correspondence, memos or forms and that require review and analysis of a range of information sources.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBWRT401 Write complex documents

Element:

1. Plan documents

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Determine the purposes of documents
1.2 Choose appropriate formats for documents
1.3 Establish means of communication
1.4 Determine requirements of documents
1.5 Determine categories and logical sequences of data, information and knowledge to achieve document objectives
1.6 Develop overview of structure and content of documents

Element:

2. Draft text

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Review and organise available data, information and knowledge according to proposed structure and content
2.2 Ensure data, information and knowledge is aggregated, interpreted and summarised to prepare text that satisfies document purposes and objectives
2.3 Include graphics as appropriate
2.4 Identify gaps in required data and information, and collect additional material from relevant enterprise personnel
2.5 Draft text according to document requirements and genre
2.6 Use language appropriate to the audience

Element:

3. Prepare final text

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Review draft text to ensure document objectives are achieved and requirements are met
3.2 Check grammar, spelling and style for accuracy and punctuation
3.3 Ensure draft text is approved by relevant enterprise personnel
3.4 Incorporate revisions in final copy

Element:

4. Produce document

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Choose basic design elements for documents appropriate to audience and purpose
4.2 Use word processing software to apply basic design elements to text
4.3 Check documents to ensure all requirements are met


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan documents, draft text, prepare final text and produce documents of some complexity

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced classroom based writing activities using the prescribed textbook. The self-paced activities will be delivered through various technology platforms and methods to provide students with the opportunity to build a portfolio of assessment evidence of their work documents at each stage of the writing process developed over the course of the semester. We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities and actively seek regular feedback from your teacher regarding your progress.


Teaching Schedule

Induction Session
Prior to training commencement a program level induction session will be conducted that comprises the following:

  • Program overview and requirements
  • myRMIT/Blackboard
  • Overview of assessment requirements
  • Pre-Training Review including:
     
                    - Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfers
                    - Assessment of current skills and knowledge
     
  • Competency/Grading Criteria
  • Plagiarism
  • Appeals
  • Extensions
  • Feedback
  • Privacy
  • Submission requirements
  • Resubmission policy
  • Where to get support
  • Student responsibilities

Course Delivery:

Week Week Commencing Topics Assessment
1 4 July Introduction to the course including:
  • Course requirements
  • Course support documents
  • Course Blackboard access
  • Accuracy of enrolment
  • Assessment requirements/Cover Sheets
  • Reminder re Plagiarism
  • Reminder re Appeals
  • Extensions/Resubmissions
  • Feedback in this course
  • Reminder re submission requirements
  • Getting help
 
 
2 11 July Business writing - Chapter 15
The three-step writing process
The seven components of writing style
 
 
3 18 July Business writing - Chapter 15
An organisation’s signature
Evaluate and revise
The advantages of writing in Plain English
 
 
4 25 July Writing business letters - Chapter 16
Applying the three-step writing process to business letters
Formatting a business letter
 
Assessment 1 - in-class assessment - Part A Business writing
5 1 Aug Writing business letters - Chapter 16
Writing good-news or neutral letters
 
 
6 8 August

Writing business letters - Chapter 16
Writing a bad-news letter

 
7 15 August Writing business letters - Chapter 16
Writing persuasive letters

 

Assessment 2 - in-class assessment - Part B Letters

8 22 Aug Writing business letters - Chapter 16
Replying to a letter of complaint
 
  29 Aug-4 Sept                      Mid-semester break Mid-semester break
9 5 Sept Writing email, memos and short reports - Chapter 17
The three-step writing process
Electronic mail (email)

 
 
10 12 Sept Writing email, memos and short reports - Chapter 17
The memo format
 
 
11 19 Sept Writing email, memos and short reports - Chapter 17
Short report writing
Short report formats
Four types of short reports
 
 
12 26 Sept

Writing long reports - Chapter 18
Planning, writing, formatting and completing a long report
 

Assessment 3 - in-class assessment - Part C emails, memos, short reports

13 3 Oct Writing technical documents - Chapter 19
The purpose of technical writing
A technical writing style
Format correctly
 
 
14 10 Oct Writing technical documents - Chapter 19
Different types of technical documents
Technical proposals
Review and edit
 
 
15 17 Oct Communicating visually through graphics - Chapter 20
Effective visual communication
Major types of graphics used in visual communication
Presenting graphics
 
Assessment 4 - in-class online assessment - Part D Long reports and technical writing
16 24 Oct Feedback and review  
17 31 Oct Resubmit/Resit as appropriate  Resubmissions/Resits as appropriate


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Dwyer, Judith, The business communication handbook, 10th edn, Pearson Australia, 2016

9780170354172


References


Other Resources

RMIT library

Blackboard (myRMIT)

RMIT online resources


Overview of Assessment

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

  • plan, draft and finalise complex documents that require review and analysis of a range of information sources
  • use business technology to apply formatting, and incorporate graphics
  • edit the draft text to ensure accuracy and clarity of information, obtain feedback on the draft and revise the draft
  • apply the enterprise style guide/house style.

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, you must:

  • identify the enterprise style guide/house style
  • outline formatting styles and their impact on formatting, readability and appearance of documents
  • explain rules and conventions for written English, as defined by general and specialist sources.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the communication – writing field of work and include access to:

  • office equipment and resources
  • organisational policies and procedures
  • organisational style guides

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.


Assessment Tasks

Overview There are 4 assessments for OFFC5310C Write Complex Documents. You must demonstrate competency in each assessment to be successful in this course

Assessment Task

Part A Business writing

An in-class assessment will take place in Week 4. You will be assessed on aspects of Business Writing with questions on English Grammar and Business Writing principles,  (reference Dwyer Chapter 15 Pages 462-491) 

Part B Letters

An in-class assessment will take place in Week 7. You will be assessed on your ability to write Business Letters and identify Business Writing strategies,  (reference Dwyer Chapter 16 Pages 492-531) 
 

Part C Emails, memos and short reports

An in-class assessment will take place in Week 12. You will be assessed on Email principles and policies, Business email writing, Memoranda writing and Short Reports, (reference Dwyer Chapter 17 Pages 532-570) 



 Part D Long reports and technical writing
 

An in-class, online assessment will take place in Week 15. You will be assessed on your competency in relationship to the contents of a Long Report, writing Purpose Statements, preparing Outlines, Body of Reports and Appendices, (reference Dwyer Chapter 18 & 19 Pages 571-633) 
 

  • Submission Requirements

You should:

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on the due date.
  • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
  • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard.
  • Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10 unless instructed otherwise in the Assessment Record and Cover Sheet instructions.

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates even when work is submitted progressively in the form of a weekly journal/learning activities.

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.
More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Resubmissions (VET Programs):

If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is “CAG”.
If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website: More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Marking Guide (Competency):

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.


Marking Guide (Grading)

After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:

Final Grades table:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.  


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview