Course Title: Write complex documents
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2014
Course Code: OFFC5208C
Course Title: Write complex documents
School: 650T TAFE Business
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4340 - Certificate IV in Frontline Management
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
Margaret Stewart +61 3 9925 5493 margaret.stewart @rmit.edu.au
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 performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan documents, draft text, prepare final text and produce documents of some complexity.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
BSBWRT401A 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 Process text amendments as required |
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 course will focus on in-class exercises that build business document production skills. The major reports produced may be used as assessment for other courses.
Teaching Schedule
Teaching Schedule
| 1. 10 February | Introduction to course |
Course overview, Assessment overview, Academic administration Assessment 1 In-class exercises |
| 2. 17 February | 1. Plan documents |
Business writing Chapter 15 The three-step writing process;The seven components of writing style |
| 3. 24 February |
1. Plan documents 1.1 as above |
Business writing Chapter 15 Organisation’s signature Evaluate and revise Advantages of writing in plain English Assessment 1 In-class exercises |
| 4. 3 March | 2. Draft text |
ONLINE CLASS ONLY Writing emails, memos, and short reports - Chapter 17 Assessment 1 In-class exercises Assessment 2a Plan for Report on Rsource Useage (Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices) |
| 5. 10 March |
2. Draft text 2.1 as above |
Writing emails, memos, y=types of reports and short reports Chapter 17 Assessment 1 In-class exercises Assessment 2b Draft Report on resource useage (Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices) |
| 6. 17 March |
2. Draft text 2.1 as above |
Writing business letters Chapter 16 Assessment 2c Final Report on resource useage (Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices) |
| 7. 24 March | 2. Draft text 2.1 as above |
Writing business letters - Chapter 16 The three-step writing process for business letter Writing different types of letters Assessment 1 In-class exercises |
| 8. 31 March | 2. Draft text |
ONLINE CLASS ONLY Assessment 1 In-class exercises |
| 9. 7 April | 3. Prepare final text |
Writing long reports Chapter 18 |
| 10. 14 April |
3. Prepare final text 3.1 as above |
Writing long reports Chapter 18 |
| 18-24 April | MID SEMESTER BREAK | SPLIT WEEK |
| 11. 28 April |
3. Prepare final text 3.1 as above |
Writing technical documents - Chapter 19 |
| 12. 05 May | 3. Prepare final text 3.1 as above |
ONLINE CLASS ONLY |
| 13. 12 May | 3. Prepare final text 3.1as above |
Communicating visually through graphics Chapter 20 Assessment 3a Draft report on waste disposal in Bldg 80 (Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices) |
| 14. 19 May | 4. Produce document |
Assessment 1 In-class exercises |
| 15. 26 May | 4. Produce document 4.1 as above |
Assessment 3b Final report on waste disposal in Bldg 80 (Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices) |
| 16. 02 June | Course Review |
NOTE : This schedule may be varied due to unforeseen circumstances but students will not be disadvantaged as a result
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Dwyer, J 2012 The Business Communication Handbook 9 ed, Pearson, Australia. |
9781442546738 |
References
Other Resources
1. RMIT Library
2. myRMIT
Overview of Assessment
Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework, assignments, group and/or individual projects, in class exercises, written and practical assessments, problem solving exercises, presentations, direct observation of actual and simulated work practice, presentation of portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files, review of products produced through work based or course activities.
Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment 1 In-class exercises
Complete exercises in class every week. Students, draft, edit and finalise in class, then hand in to teacher. The teacher will provide feedback in class before they are handed in, time permitting. The exercises will be returned the week following.
Assessment 2a
Plan for Report for course Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices Week 4
Students will write a plan for the report for the Student Sustainability Project Content of the plan will include:
- Purpose of the report
- Appropriate format
- How the report will be communicated
- Document requirements
- Categories of data and
- Sequence of data
- Information and knowledge to be used
- Overview of structure and content
Assessment 2b
Draft Report for resource use report Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
Students will prepare a draft report as required for the sustainability course EASC5040C
Partial co-assessment with the Sustainability Course EASC5040C Week 5
Assessment 2c
Final report on resource useage in Bld 80
Partial co-assessment with the Sustainability Course EASC5040C Week 6
Assessment 3a
Draft report on waste disposal in Bldg 80 (Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices) Week 13
Assessment 3b
Final report 2000 words on waste disposal in Bldg 80 (Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices)
Students will prepare a Final Report on Waste Disposal in Building 80 for course EASC5040C
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Academic Administration Procedure
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentation. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. Examples of plagiarism include:
• Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;
• Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
• Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
• Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work; and
• Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
For further information including “Plagiarism (and how to avoid it): Resources for Students” refer to the Plagiarism section of the RMIT Policies, at http://www.rmit.edu.au/governance/policies in the Teaching and Learning Policy section. Penalties include official reprimand, recording of a failure result or expulsion from the University
Referencing
Students are to use the Harvard Referencing System
Essays which do not use the Harvard system of referencing will not be graded until referencing is correct. Wrong referencing includes using the footnote system instead of the Harvard (author-date) system, no page numbers in references where there is a quote, being unable to use the formula for in-text referencing, using a bibliography instead of a reference list, having no reference list, failing to show where a quote begins and ends, writing out the book title because you don’t know how to use references and not using all elements of the reference citation i.e. surname, initial, date published, title (correctly signified), publisher and place published. Minor errors such as wrong punctuation, a wrong page number or a simple typographical error in a date are not defined as an error.
Submission of written work/assessments
Written work must conform with RMIT’s guidelines “Written Reports And Essays: Guidelines For Referencing And Presentation In RMIT Business”, in repect to Harvard Referencing, which can be found at: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s9sx559hurvc.rtf
Written assessment must be lodged by the due date in the format specified.
Please do not place work in plastic binders or plastic pockets.
Attach an Authorship Statement or a signed Assignment Cover Sheet to each submission of written work or assessment.
You must keep a copy of your assignment/written work, which can be produced if the original is lost or damaged.
Each page of your online assessments should include a footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Carole Marco, S123456, Assessment 2, BUSM6245C Implement operational plan, Page 1 of 10.
Special Consideration
Special Consideration is a process that enables the University to take account of unexpected circumstances such as illness, injury or bereavement that affect a student’s performance in assessment. Forms are available from http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/forms Further information can be accessed from http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
Return of Assessments and Feedback
Hard copies of any in-class assessments will be returned to you together with written feedback during class/lecture times. Feedback for online assessments is via myRMIT. Assesments are normally returned within two weeks of submission
Variations to Assessment
A change will not be made to the form or forms of assessment as detailed in the Course Guide unless:
1. the students enrolled in that course have received notice in writing of the proposed change; and
2. the change is approved by the Head of School and not less than 70% of the students enrolled in that course.
Late Submission Procedures
You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates. 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 Not Yet Competent 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
Appealing Assessment
You are entitled to appeal assessment results. Refer to RMIT Policy – Appeal Against Assessment Result available at http://www.rmit.edu.au/governance/policies in the Teaching and Learning Policy area.
Students are required to attempt all assessments and be rated as competent against all performance criteria to pass the course.
RMIT University recognises nationally accredited or endorsed qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued to the student by other Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s). Also, RMIT provides credit for work experience or other forms of life experience that match the learning outcomes/competencies of RMIT courses. You must provide evidence that is current, relevant valid, and verifiable that your experience matches the learning outcomes/competencies of the relevant course for which you are seeking credit. This evidence may include formal qualifications (certificates, etc); work samples; references; documents, etc. Please speak to your teacher before applying.
To apply, you should obtain an RPL Information Sheet. Forms are available on the RMIT Website at http://www.rmit.edu.au/student-records/studentforms . You should complete the appropriate form (RPL and/or Credit Transfer), attach the relevant supporting documentation and submit the form to your facilitator for this unit.
Marking Guide (competency):
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on current industry needs and the focus on preparing you for the workplace. Because VET courses are informed by practical application of knowledge and skills, they are based on a system known as ‘competency based training’ (CBT). So when you are assessed in VET it is about whether you are competent to do the job, as well as having a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required to do that job, as opposed to traditional curriculum based education settings that are often based on knowledge retention.
You need to demonstrate you are competent in each element of the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing. Once competent in all elements of the unit you receive a competency grading.
Please refer to the Final Grades table below.
Marking Guide (Grading)
Each assessment task is marked as Competent or Not Yet Competent, but not graded until achieving competency across the assessment tasks. We then grade your performance in the unit; this gives you the opportunity to have the level of your performance formally recognized against industry standards and employability skills.
The grading is according to the following criteria:
1. LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE, INITIATIVE, ENTERPRISE AND PERFORMANCE OF WORK TASK
We are looking for a high level of ability to complete all tasks independently as per the specifications as well as demonstrating a high level of initiative in your approach to implementing writing complex documents in a workplace situation
2. DEMONSTRATED BREADTH OF UNDERPINNING KNOWLEDGE AND A WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE LEARNING
We are looking for depth of understanding of the key concepts and knowledge required in writing in the workplace.. You should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of all applicable writing principles in all the assessment tasks.
3. TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES, TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING
We are looking for appropriate use of technology to assist in presenting all tasks clearly and suitable for the intended audience. You also need to show an understanding of the kinds of problems that can arise in writing complex documents
4. WORK ORGANISATION, PLANNING AND SELF MANAGEMENT
We expect to see class time used well, ie regular attendance, on time, planning what work to do and complete every week, use of a range of methods to monitor own output and quality of work, and timely submission of all assessment tasks.
5. COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE NETWORKING, LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND TEAMWORK
We expect to see contributions to class discussion and student team work. Your work should demonstrate a knowledge of interpersonal skills and group discussion techniques, good research and people networking skills.
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
Course Overview: Access Course Overview