Course Title: Refine writing skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: COMM7305

Course Title: Refine writing skills

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5314 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact: Penny Johnson

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4383

Course Contact Email: penny.johnson@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

Face-to-face classes

We meet weekly for one, four-hour class delivered face-to-face. In class you will experience a practical, hands-on approach to the course material, with individual and group activities and discussions. 

 In-class activities may include:

• Lectures
• Class discussions
• Individual presentations
• Teacher directed group activities
• In-class reviews of weekly online activities
• Group workshopping of the work of individual students
• Analysis and critique of relevant reading materials.

Out-of-class activities may include:

• Independent reading, writing and editing activities, including for assessment
• Independent research, analysis and critique activities, including for assessment.

Weekly online activities

In addition to the face-to-face class, each week you will work independently through specified online activities. These activities will complement the class instruction.

Your combined weekly course work (face-to-face and online) will prepare you for the graded assignments.

 

Teaching Schedule

While all course content in this schedule will be covered, the weekly order may change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

Course Schedule: Refine Writing Skills, Semester 1, 2020
Week	Content and Activities	Assessment
1	Communication: how hard is it?  Introduction to class content and expectations – face-to-face content, online activities and assessments Introduction to Assessment 1 and 2 Forms of communication: verbal, non-verbal and graphics Barriers to communication and how to counteract them Why write better	Assessment 1: online activities (starting Week 1 and continuing to Week 13)
2	The professional writer's approach The writing process: 6-step approach  Identifying audience and purpose to shape communications The 'you' versus 'me' attitude Plain language: words and phrases
3	Clear communication: working with words Writing on and off brand. Passive and active voice. Plain language continued: syntax, paragraphs, rhythm and tone.
4	Clear communication: working with design Communicating visually, using content, design and layout.	Assessment 2: Written critique
5	Instructional writing Structuring content: exploring different strategies Models for structuring messages and documents: narrative, telescoping and more Instructional writing
6	Writing correspondence that gets results Online versus print mediums: how emails differ from letters Frontloading key messages in emails and other techniques Responding to complaints
7	Writing summaries and media releases The essence of a good summary How summaries are used in professional writing: resumes, agendas, minutes, web and social media copy Writing media releases
8	Writing longer business documents White papers, business cases and reports Workshopping writing for Assessment 3A Introduction of Assessment 3B	Assessment 3A: Writing folio – short documents
Mid-semester break
9	Gathering research Researching and note-taking Citation methods Organising and presenting data
10	Writing the report or white paper Different components: executive summary, introduction, body, conclusion, recommendations, appendices Finding the best structure for your report
11	Writing to be heard not read: speechwriting Types of speeches Speech writing techniques Introduction of Assessment 3 Planning your speech	Assessment 3B: Writing Folio – longer document
12	Writing persuasively Rhetoric, argumentation and common fallacies Use of ethos, logos and pathos
13	Giving and receiving feedback Giving feedback in a professional context How professional writers handle feedback Workshopping speeches
14	Presenting to an audience How to prepare for delivering an oral presentation or speech, including how to combat nerves Delivering a speech	Assessment 4A: Written persuasive speech
15	Final presentations Delivery of speeches	Assessment 4B: Oral persuasive speech Due: In class

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None

References

Resources are available in Canvas.

Other Resources

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The learning Lab
www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops

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

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as competent in this course you will need to complete each assessment task 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 through Canvas for full assessment criteria.

Assessment 1: Online activities
(starting Week 1 and continuing to Week 13) 
Weekly responses to material supplied, each one of 200-250 words.

Assessment 2: Written critique
Write a 1000-word critique of an example of professional communication supplied.
Due: Sunday 8 March

Assessment 3: Writing folio 
Part A – short documents
A portfolio of three varied professional documents related to a given scenario and totalling 500–700 words.
Due: Sunday 29 March

Part B: – longer document
A 2500-word report responding to given scenario, plus bibliography.
Due: 3 May

Assessment 4: Persuasive speech
As an individual, you will write and deliver a speech. You must write between 1000–1500 words and speak for at least five minutes. You will use the speech to persuasively argue for or against an issue of your choosing. 

Part A: Written speech
Due: Sunday 24 May

Part B: Oral speech
Due: In class on 25 May

  Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessments are:   CA - Competency Achieved
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did not Submit Assessment

 

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

Attendance:

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises

It is strongly advised 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.

 

Information about your studies:

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.

 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

 

Assessment:

Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity

 

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:

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.  

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

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview