Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Writing Professionally - Effective Communication

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM2454

City Campus

Undergraduate

345T Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019

COMM2454

City Campus

Undergraduate

375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021

COMM2454

City Campus

Undergraduate

515T Creative Industries

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 2 2024

Course Coordinator: Dzintra Boyd and Sarah Vincent

Course Coordinator Phone: +61399254269 (Dzintra)

Course Coordinator Email: pwecoordinators@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course introduces you to the craft of professional writing and explores ways in which you can shape messages for specific audiences and purposes. By studying the principles of clear writing and ‘plain language’ you learn to communicate effectively across written, oral and graphic forms. You then apply these principles to a variety of documents such as written correspondence, media releases and proposals. You also explore how writing for the ear differs from the eye and how the language of persuasion differs from that of informing. The skills you learn in this course apply across the industry and are essential to your work as a writer and /or editor.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes
In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • demonstrate analytical skills and creative solutions to respond to problems in a range of diverse writing, editing and publishing contexts
  • communicate effectively to audiences within relevant creative and professional contexts around writing, editing and publishing
  • apply initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making as a writer, editor or future student.


Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • use your knowledge of plain language as a business writing style, in particular its rationale, features and application
  • identify the needs of specific audiences and write reader-centred copy, using appropriate language, syntax and structural devices
  • apply your writing skills across a range of documents including correspondence, proposals, speeches and promotional material
  • adjust your writing style to suit the medium and mode of delivery
  • employ persuasive writing techniques to achieve a desired outcome
  • explore ways to present written and visual material in order to engage, inform, persuade or promote.


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are: 

  • lectures, which provide the framework for developing your skills in professional writing
  • class exercises and activities designed to clarify course content and practise relevant skills
  • independent research and study, working through the course requirements as presented in classes, online and through learning materials.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.

The University Library has extensive resources for Professional Writing and Editing students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies https://rmit.libguides.com/writing-editing

The Library provides guides on academic referencing: https://www.rmit.edu.au/library/study/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

Task 1: Critique - 20% - Aligned Course Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4

Task 2: Writing Folio - 40% - Aligned Course Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4

Task 3: Speech - 40% - Aligned Course Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4