Course Title: Write complex documents
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2015
Course Code: OFFC5208C
Course Title: Write complex documents
School: 650T Vocational Business Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4223 - 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:
Brenda Hughes
brenda.hughes@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 course covers the skills and knowledge required to plan documents, draft text and 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 |
Element: |
2. Draft text |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Review and organise available data, information and knowledge according to proposed structure and content |
Element: |
3. Prepare final text |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1. Review draft text to ensure document objectives are achieved and requirements are met |
Element: |
4. Produce document |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1. Choose basic design elements for documents appropriate to audience and purpose |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
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 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 | 9 Feb | 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 |
Progressive submission of a Portfolio of Evidence: Task 1 – Portfolio of Evidence in the weeks listed below. Feedback available in class time and one week following. |
| 2 | 16 Feb | Business writing – Chapter 15 The three-step writing process The seven components of writing style |
Practice exercises 15.1, Questions 1 and 4 (Dwyer, p. 427-28) |
| 3 | 23 Feb | Business writing– Chapter 15 An organisation’s signature Evaluate and revise The advantages of writing in Plain English |
Practice exercises 15.2, Questions 1, 2 and 5 (Dwyer, p. 433-34) |
| 4 | 2 Mar | Writing business letters – Chapter 16 Applying the three-step writing process to business letters Formatting a business letter |
Practice exercises 16.1, Questions 2 and 4 (Dwyer, p. 451) |
| 5 | 9 Mar (Monday Labour Day Public Holiday) |
Writing business letters – Chapter 16 Writing good-news or neutral letters |
Practice exercises 16.2, Questions 3 and 4 (Dwyer, p. 458) |
| 6 | 16 Mar | Writing business letters – Chapter 16 |
Practice exercises 16.3, Question 3 (Dwyer, p. 464) Interim submission Task 1 – Portfolio of Evidence (hard copy submission in class) |
| 7 | 23 Mar | Writing business letters – Chapter 16 Writing persuasive letters |
Practice exercises 16.4, Question 3 (Dwyer, p. 473) |
| 8 | 30 Mar |
Writing business letters – Chapter 16 Replying to a letter of complaint |
Case Study 2 (p.478) ONLINE CLASS WEEK 8 |
| Mid semester break 2 – 8 Apr classes resume Thursday 9 Apr | |||
| 9 | 13 Apr | Writing email, memos and short reports – Chapter 17 The three-step writing process Electronic mail (email) |
Practice exercises 17.1 Questions 1 and 2 (Dwyer, p. 490) |
| 10 | 20 Apr | Writing email, memos and short reports – Chapter 17 The memo format |
Practice exercises 17.2 Question 1 (Dwyer, p. 493) |
| 11 | 27 Apr | Writing email, memos and short reports – Chapter 17 Short report writing Short report formats Four types of short reports |
Practice exercises 17.4, Question 1 (Dwyer, p. 504) |
| 12 | 4 May | Writing long reports – Chapter 18 Planning, writing, formatting and completing a long report |
Review portfolio progress and make corrections to documents where required from teacher feedback |
| 13 | 11 May | Writing technical documents – Chapter 19 The purpose of technical writing A technical writing style Format correctly |
Case Study 2: Why health workers migrate (Dwyer, p. 547) |
| 14 | 18 May | Writing technical documents – Chapter 19 Different types of technical documents Technical proposals Review and edit |
Learning activities, Question 2 (Dwyer, p. 566) |
| 15 | 25 May | Communicating visually through graphics – Chapter 20 Effective visual communication Major types of graphics used in visual communication Presenting graphics |
Task 2 – Final Documents Portfolio (Blackboard submission) |
| 16 | 1 Jun | Feedback and review | |
| 17 | 8 Jun | Semester 1 assessment period |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
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 a 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
Critical Aspects of Evidence
Evidence of the following is essential:
- Production of documents
- Editing draft text to ensure accuracy and clarity of information
- Knowledge of enterprise style guide/house style
Overview
Assessment Tasks
Task 1 – Portfolio of Evidence (submitted weekly and in finished versions in Week 15)
The learning activities completed during class throughout the semester will form a portfolio of evidence of the student’s ability to plan, write and produce office documents using complex technology functions in the MS Office Suite 2010. Students will be asked to purchase a slim A4 ring binder or a report cover with fasteners (no plastic pockets or display books) and with their choice of section tabs to divide their work throughout the semester with the following section headings:
Part A Business writing
Part B Letters
Part C Emails, memos and short reports
Part D Long reports and technical writing
Final Documents Portfolio
The folder will be checked in class by the teacher regularly and in Weeks 6 for assessment and feedback on business writing progress from the weekly learning activities completed during class will be recorded. The students will be responsible for correcting and editing their documents upon receiving feedback from the teacher and should aim to complete a perfect version of each portfolio task in preparation for Task 2 – Final Document Portfolio. All finished tasks are to be uploaded to the drop box on Blackboard for assessment by no later than Friday 29 May 2015 Week 15.
It is expected that all tasks have been corrected and edited according to teacher feedback throughout the semester and should demonstrate the student’s ability to produce workplace documents, edit draft text to ensure accuracy and clarity of information and can apply enterprise style guide/house style where applicable.
Document Task Summary
Part A Business writing Practice exercises 15.1, Questions 1 and 4 (Dwyer, p. 427-28)
- Practice exercises 15.2, Questions 1, 2 and 5 (Dwyer, p. 433-34)
Part B Letters Practice exercises 16.1, Questions 2 and 4 (Dwyer, p. 451)
- Practice exercises 16.2, Questions 3 and 4 (Dwyer, p. 458)
- Practice exercises 16.3, Question 3 (Dwyer, p. 464)
- Practice exercises 16.4, Question 3 (Dwyer, p. 473)
- Case Study 2 (p.478)
Part C Emails, memos and short reports Practice exercises 17.1 Questions 1 and 2 (Dwyer, p. 490)
- Practice exercises 17.2 Question 1 (Dwyer, p. 493)
- Practice exercises 17.4, Question 1 (Dwyer, p. 504)
Part D Long reports and technical writing Case Study 2: Why health workers migrate (Dwyer, p. 547)
- Learning activities, Question 2 (Dwyer, p. 566)
Task 2 – Final Documents Portfolio
In Week 15 students will upload perfect finished versions of all the document tasks completed throughout the semester for Task 1 – Portfolio of Evidence to the dropbox on Blackboard. They are to also to complete the Ready for Work Part Three – Workplace Documents reflection as part of their Assessment Record & Cover Sheet for Task 2 attached with their final submission.
Submission Requirements
You should:
- Ensure that you submit assessments on or before 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