Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
Written communication remains a fundamental aspect of work in all professions. Despite the rise of digital alternatives, effective writing is still a vital skill for anyone seeking employment in the 21st century workplace. This course covers key theoretical principles and practical applications of writing in a corporate environment.
This course takes a practical approach to most aspects of writing in the professional workplace. The fundamental importance of correct grammar, punctuation and syntax is taken as a given. The course will cover a broad range of workplace writing genres, including report writing, speechwriting, presentations and correspondence. Topics include creating credibility at word, sentence, paragraph, and document levels; and revising, editing, and proofreading professional documents.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students undertaking this course should have a good command of English sentence structure and style, and be committed to enhancing their knowledge of, and skills in, professional writing and editing.ﾠ
International students whose first language is not English are strongly advised to take WRIT1001 before undertaking this course.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
JOUR2711
Restrictions
.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Tutor
Dr Amber Gwynne
Ms Martine Kropkowski
Dr Emily Larkin
Dr Melanie Myers
Miss Melanie Saward
Dr Alexandra Trueman
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:
- Your name
- Your student ID
- The course code
- A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference)
- Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to prepare students for the literacy demands of the service-oriented workplace.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
understand the functional and situational nature of writing in the professional workplace
LO2.
be familiar with the conventions, styles and formats of the most common professional communications
LO3.
be able to generate, evaluate, analyse, synthesise, and organise information, using problem-solving strategies
LO4.
have the skills to create specific professional documents that are accessible to a wide range of readers
LO5.
understand how professional writing and editing works and be able to take responsibility for your ongoing development as writer/editors in the professions for which you are preparing.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Practical/ Demonstration | Group discussion & participation | 20% This assessment is in two parts, each marked Pass/Fail and each worth 10% for a total possible 20% overall. |
Week 5 - Week 13 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | An annotation (10%) and a short report (20%) | 30% |
6/09/2024 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Report to a manager | 50% |
4/11/2024 4:00 pm |
Assessment details
Group discussion & participation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 20% This assessment is in two parts, each marked Pass/Fail and each worth 10% for a total possible 20% overall.
- Due date
Week 5 - Week 13
Task description
Working in small groups, students will each lead a discussion and set a writing exercise for their tutorial. Presentation times will be allocated by tutors in Week 3, with presentations to take place from Week 5 to Week 13.
Full details are in the Assessments folder on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
In-class activity.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Students wishing to change their assigned presentation date must liaise with their tutor before the presentation due date.
Late submission
Late submission is not possible for this piece of assessment. Failure to attend the assigned tutorial and lead the demonstration and discussion will result in a zero mark.
An annotation (10%) and a short report (20%)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
6/09/2024 4:00 pm
Task description
This assessment is in two parts:
- Annotation. Students are to annotate a piece of AI-generated text, identifying specific strengths and weaknesses in the text (10%).
- Short report. (700 words). Students are to write a short report, recommending a course of action with regard to the use of AI-generated text in a work scenario (20%).
The AI-generated text, criteria and other important information to complete the assessment are contained in the Assessment 2 folder on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Report to a manager
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
4/11/2024 4:00 pm
Task description
Write a report based on one of a number of scenarios outlined in the Assessment 3 folder on Blackboard.
The assessment is in two parts:
- A 1500-word report to a manager (40%), and
- A 250-word explanation for the decisions you have made in drafting and finalising the above report (10%).
Briefing documents providing background information to the various scenarios are in the Assessment 3 folder on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
- Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
- Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply. ﾠ
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
- Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
- Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
- Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request.
- Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
- Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Expectations and obligations
You are expected to actively investigate the WRIT2000 Blackboard site (log in at https://learn.uq.edu.au/), which you will gain access to when you enrol. You need to be able to download, print off, and read portable document format (.pdf), and document format (.doc/.docx) files from the WRIT2000 Blackboard site in advance of the weekly lectures and tutorials. You are also expected to upload assessment items to the Blackboard site. You must ensure that you have reliable access to e-mail, and you will need to check for messages regularly. If you use a non-UQ-student email client, please ensure that you have set it up to receive any email sent to your student account. Your student email is the ONLY means of communication the teaching staff has for you; it is in your own interest to check it regularly.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
Week 1: Course introduction Writing in the workplace. Introduction and expectations from the course. |
Tutorial |
Week 1: No tutorial this week |
|
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 2: The basics Spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, style, style guides, editing terminology. |
Tutorial |
Week 2 Discuss lecture; writing exercises. |
|
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 3: Language & AI Clarity and words (inclusive, weasel, jargon and otherwise). The place of Artificial Intelligence and generative text in the 21st Century workplace. |
Tutorial |
Week 3 Discuss lecture; writing exercises. |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 4: Public holiday Public holiday 14/8. No lecture this week |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 4: No class Public holiday 14/8. No tutorial this week |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 5: Report Writing Writing and designing internal and external reports |
Tutorial |
Week 5 Discuss lecture. Presentations begin. Writing exercises. |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 6: Editing and proofreading Drafting, editing and proofreading |
Tutorial |
Week 6 Discuss lecture. Presentations continue. Writing exercises. |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 7: Speech writing Writing for the ear, as opposed to the eye. Rhetoric and persuasion. |
Tutorial |
Week 7 Discuss lecture. Presentations continue. Writing exercises. |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 8: Presentations Writing engaging presentations (and the evils of PowerPoint) |
Tutorial |
Week 8 Discuss lecture. Presentations continue. Writing exercises. |
|
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 9: Technical Writing How-to, Style guides and manuals. |
Tutorial |
Week 9 Discuss lecture. Presentations continue. Writing exercises. |
|
Mid Sem break (23 Sep - 29 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break No lectures or tutorials this week |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 10: Corporate Writing Writing for online; Investor communications |
Tutorial |
Week 10 Discuss lecture. Presentations continue. Writing exercises. |
|
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 11: No lecture this week Public holiday 7/10 |
Tutorial |
Week 11: No tutorial this week Public holiday 7/10 |
|
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 12: Internal & External communications Written communications -- both internal and external to the organisation. Professional correspondence: letters, emails, memos |
Tutorial |
Week 12 Discuss lecture. Presentations continue. Writing exercises. |
|
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 13: Writing week Writing week: No lecture this week |
Tutorial |
Week 13 Presentations conclude. Writing workshop. Bring your draft/plan for assessment 3 and discuss approaches to the task with your peers. Get some writing done in a collegiate atmosphere. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.