Course Title: Refine writing skills
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2015
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
Teacher Contact Phone 9925 4908
Teacher Contact Emailyannick.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: |
2. Develop and refine a concept for a piece of work |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 A concept for the project work is developed based on the purpose of the work and its intended audience |
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. |
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 |
Element: |
4. Plan the writing |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Writing tasks are planned to reflect the concept, constraints and available resources of the project |
Element: |
5. Complete writing |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Writing is completed using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation |
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 |
Asessment Due |
| 1 | No class - Orientation |
Introduction 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 - Stages of the writing process - Readability statistics |
THE WRITING PROCESS Introduction to Assessment 2 Speech |
Assessment 1: Written Critique(Oral presentations due weeks 4-9) |
| 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 |
Assessment 2: 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 |
Assessment 2: Speech draft plan due |
| Mid-semester break | Friday 3 to Friday 10 April (inclusive) | ||
| 9 | BUSINESS WRITING: MEMOS |
BUSINESS WRITING: EMAILS - Purpose - Structure - Language - Tone |
|
| 10 | WORKSHOPPING: - Speeches - Presentations |
WORKSHOPPING: - Speeches - Presentations |
Assessment 2: Written speeches due and oral presentations delivered |
| 11 | BUSINESS WRITING: PERSUASIVE WRITING - Resumes - Persuasive writing in practice |
BUSINESS WRITING: SUMMARIES - Agenda - Minutes |
|
| 12 | BUSINESS WRITING: SUMMARIES - Precis |
BUSINESS WRITING: CASE STUDIES |
|
| 13 | BUSINESS WRITING: REPORTS - Purpose - Audience - Structure |
BUSINESS WRITING: REPORTS |
|
| 14 | BUSINESS WRITING: - Policy writing - Proposals |
BUSINESS WRITING: |
|
| 15 | Review and revision | Review and revision | Assessment 3: Writing Folio due |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Your teacher will provide any prescribed reading in the form of class notes. |
References
You are advised to look at the course myRMIT (Course Blackboard) site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access of the library resources.
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 all of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment (refer to Blackboard for assessment criteria).
- Assessment 1: Critique of a communications document. Due: Week 4, 5 March
- Assessment 2: Persuasive speech incorporating three stages of development. Due: Proposal - Week 6, 19 March; Draft plan - beginning Week 8, 31 March; Written speech and delivery - beginning Week 10, 14 April.
- Assessment 3: Folio of four workplace documents. Due: Week 15, 28 May
Once you have demonstrated competency in Assessment 2 and 3, these tasks will be graded (refer to Blackboard for grading rubric). Graded assessment tasks are equally weighted and will determine your final result for this course.
For further information on the assessment and grading criteria, please refer to the course Blackboard site.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. Please refer to the course Blackboard site or discuss with your teacher.
Other Information
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency. Non-attendance may seriously jeopardise the chances of success in a course. Clearly, non-attendance at an assessment will result in failure of that assessment. Where visa conditions apply, attendance is compulsory.
Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (web link)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which people can gain entry to, or credit in, recognised courses based on competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, in social or domestic activities or through informal or formal training or other life experiences. Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies if a student has previously successfully completed the requirements of a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competency has been maintained.
Assessment and Feedback (web link)
You will receive verbal feedback during scheduled class times, and written feedback from teachers on your work . Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student Progress (web link)
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Special Consideration for Late Submission (web link)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you will need to apply for special consideration.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism(web link)
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview