Course Title: Refine writing skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: COMM7305

Course Title: Refine writing skills

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5314 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact: Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email: mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Yannick Thoraval

Yannick.Thoraval@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 120

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

This course has no pre-requisites or co-requisites


 

Course Description

In this course you will draft, write and edit many different kinds of workplace documents.You will learn to inform and to persuade, taking into account the purpose and context of the writing.Through research and experimentation with writing techniques in a range of media, you will gain the skills and knowledge required to write for both the ear and the eye.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU20277 Refine writing skills

Element:

1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media

Performance Criteria:

1.1    The potential for new approaches to writing is evaluated in terms of the capability of techniques already used by writer.

 

1.2    New techniques are selected for specific effects and introduced into writing.

 

1.3    Relevant approaches by other writers are researched, adapted and used with due consideration of intellectual property, moral rights and copyright requirements

 

1.4    Feedback is sought from fellow practitioners or informed others as to the effectiveness of particular experiments

Element:

2. Develop and refine a concept for a piece of work

Performance Criteria:

2.1    A concept for the projected work is developed based on the purpose of the work and its intended audience.

2.2 Writing techniques suitable for the concept are evaluated against feedback from experimentation

2.3    A concept is documented.

2.4  Feedback is sought from appropriate others and concept is refined where necessary

Element:

3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work

Performance Criteria:

3.1    Resource requirements necessary for the development of a piece of extended work are clarified

 

3.2    Constraints that may impact on the development of work are evaluated

 

3.3    Concept is amended or renegotiated in terms of available resources where necessary.

Element:

4. Plan the writing

Performance Criteria:

4.1

Writing tasks are planned to reflect the concept, constraints and available resources of the project

 4.2

 

Writing tasks are organised and developed into an ordered sequence of deadlines

 4.3

 

All resources required to deliver the product are organised

 4.4

 

A timeline for the completion of the product is agreed with commissioning agents or editors if necessary

 

Element:

5. Complete writing

Performance Criteria:

5.1

Writing is completed using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation

 5.2

 

The potential for changes in the use of techniques is evaluated and responded to where necessary

 5.3

 

The concept is refined where necessary based on the writer’s on-going experiences with the production of writing

 5.4

 

Writing meets professional levels of execution including attention to grammar, vocabulary, style, presentation and time frame

 

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.
 


Details of Learning Activities

 In class activities may include:

  • Lectures
  • Guest lecture
  • Class presentations
  • Group discussions
  • Teacher directed group activities/projects
  • Class exercises to review discussions/lectures
  • Workshopping of student projects
  • Analysis/critique of relevant reading material

Out of class activities may include:

  • Online research
  • Independent project based work


Teaching Schedule

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

 

 

Week

Content Class -
Tuesday

Content Class – 
Thursday 

1

Introduction

- Expectations

- Why write better?

- Foundations of communication

- Orientation

 

- Forms of communication

- Planning your communication

- Introduction to Assessment 1 Short critique

 

 

 

2

COMMUNICATION PROCESS Communication model
- Variables in communication model
- Barriers to effective communication

COMMUNICATION PROCESS
Communication model
- Non verbal communication

- Workplace dynamics
 

3

COMMUNICATION
Theory and purpose
- Writing for the ear or eye
- Choosing a medium
- Targetting readership

INFORMATION
- Page layout
- Font
- White space
- Headings, numbers, bullets
- Tables, charts, diagram

4

THE WRITING PROCESS
- Your strengths
- Planning
- Drafting
- Audience
- Six-stage writing process
- Readability statistics

THE WRITING PROCESS
- Written component of Assessment 1 Due (oral presentations due weeks 4-9)

- Evaluating
- Feedback
- Redrafting
- Editing
- Revision
- Proofreading

- Introduction to Assessment 2 Speech

 

5

WRITING WITH IMPACT
- Rules for clear writing
- Grammar basics
- Using plain language
- Writing Process 

WRITING WITH IMPACT
- Pitfalls: tautology, word choices
- Passive/active voice
- Punctuation

6

BUSINESS WRITING: PRESENTATIONS/
SPEECHES
- Structure
- Techniques
- Delivery
- Writing for the ear

BUSINESS WRITING: PRESENTATIONS
/SPEECHES 
- Logos
- Ethos
- Pathos

- Speechwriting techniques 

- Speech proposal due

7

BUSINESS WRITING: DIFFICULT MESSAGES
- Purpose
- Strategy
- Tone

BUSINESS WRITING: PERSUASIVE MESSAGES
- Purpose
- Structure

8

BUSINESS WRITING: PERSUASIVE WRITING 
- Types of persuasive writing
- Key parts of an argument
- Developing an argument

- Providing critical feedback

BUSINESS WRITING: PERSUASIVE WRITING

 

-     Building consensus 

-     Brainstorming techniques

-     Speech critical feedback due

 

- Introduction to Assessment 3 Writing portfolio

9

BUSINESS WRITING: MEMOS 
- Purpose
- Structure
- Tone

BUSINESS WRITING: EMAILS
- Purpose
- Structure
- Language
- Tone

10

WORKSHOPPING:
- Speeches
- Presentations

WORKSHOPPING: 
- Speeches
- Presentations

 

Mid-semester Break

14 April – 21 April (inclusive)

11

BUSINESS WRITING: PERSUASIVE WRITING
- Resumes
- Persuasive writing in practice

BUSINESS WRITING: SUMMARIES 
- Agenda
- Minutes

12

BUSINESS WRITING: SUMMARIES 
- Summaries and Precise

BUSINESS WRITING: WEB PAGES 
- Language
- Structure

13

BUSINESS WRITING:
REPORTS 
- Purpose
- Audience
- Structure

BUSINESS WRITING: 
REPORTS
 

14

BUSINESS WRITING: 
- Policy writing
- Proposals

BUSINESS WRITING: 
MEDIA RELEASE 
- Purpose
- Layout
 

15

Review and revision

Review and revision

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Your teacher will supply all readings and class materials in class.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment tasks will require you to demonstrate proficiency in a range of writing styles.
Assessment tasks in this course include the development and refinement of a range of writing pieces which address the current standards used in the workplace. All assessment should meet a professional level of completion.

 


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following three pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task. You should refer to the assessment brief which is available on MyRMIT for full assessment criteria.

Assessment One: Due Sunday 26 February 2017 

As an individual, you will write a 1000 word critique of a piece of professional communication where you evaluate the overall effectiveness of a piece of communication.

 

Assessment Two (graded): Due Tuesday 11 April 2017

As an individual, you will write and deliver a short (750–1000 word, 5-7 minute) persuasive speech.

You will use the speech to persuasively argue for or against a divisive contemporary social or political issue of your choosing.

 

Assessment Three (graded): Due Sunday 28 May 2017

As an individual, you will write 5 separate documents, collectively presented as a portfolio of diverse writing styles. The individual documents in your portfolio will be:

  1. a summary (x2 long and short)
  2. an email
  3. a business letter
  4. a set of instructions
  5. a report. 

Graded assessment in this course uses the following grades:

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

 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available on Blackboard under the 'Assessments' tab. 

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students

How to submit work
You must submit assessments electronically through Turnintin on Blackboard. You will be asked to attest your work is your own.

Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. We strongly advise that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

We request that you speak to your teacher if regular attendance becomes difficult.

Assessment feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work.  Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1

Student progress
Monitoring academic progress is helps us to assist you in achieving your learning potential. 

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/acadprogress

Adjustments to assessment (incl. applying for a time extension)
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kehn9bz22r41

Academic integrity and plagiarism
Academic integrity is about the honest presentation of work that is your own. RMIT University has a clear policy on plagiarism (see web page for more detail).

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Credit Transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview