1. Produce a range of common workplace documents
2. Recognise and correct common mistakes in grammar, expression, syntax and tone 
3. Prepare and deliver coherently and logically argued written material
4. Critically evaluate their own and others’ written materials
5. Engage productively and respectfully with their peers
6. Recognise and apply transferable skills in other university courses and in professional contexts beyond the university

McKenzie, Margaret. Australian Handbook for Writers and Editors. 4th ed. Woodslane, 2010.

The University’s Centre for Learning and Professional Development offers a range of resources and support:

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd

The Barr Smith Library has a comprehensive collection of English Language and Study Skills (ELSS) resources:

http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au

Additional course-related material is available through MyUni.

The following documents are available via MyUni: Online lectures, Course Profiles, and an Explanation of Assessment Tasks (containing detailed information about all the assessment tasks and what you need to do to accomplish them successfully). 

The course is built around a series of online lectures covering grammar and expression, and the conventions of common business documents. These will be complemented by weekly workshops in which students will practice the reproduction of a range of authentic business documents used in everyday work contexts in preparation for the submission of their own work. Workshops and assignments consolidate the learning of key principles in the construction and design of common workplace documents and develop skills in the evaluation of them. Weekly grammar workshops address the problems that students from non-English speaking backgrounds face in grammar, expression, syntax, style and tone.  

Students will commit a total equivalent of 156 hours to study in this course.

Schedule

Week 1	Introduction
Week 2	Grammar: introduction; Business Letters
Week 3	Grammar Workshop; Business Letters continued
Week 4	Grammar Workshop; Emails
Week 5	Grammar Workshop; Emails continued
Week 6	Report structure, intro to literature reviews
Week 7	Literature review structure
Week 8	Reference list: styles and conventions
Week 9	Job Application (introduction)
Week 10	Job Application continued
Week 11	Job Application continued
Week 12	Course Consolidation and Revision; Exam preparation

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Business letter	Formative and Summative	5%	1, 4, 5
Revised business letter	Formative and Summative	5%	1, 2, 4
Email	Formative	0%	1, 2, 4
Literature review and reference list	Formative and Summative	20%	2, 3, 5
Grammar and writing test	Formative and Summative	10%	2
Job application	Formative and Summative	20%	1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Participation	Formative and Summative	10%	1-6
Exam	Summative	30%	1, 2, 3

Attendance at workshops is compulsory.
 
All students must complete all the assessment tasks and sit the Final Examination to be deemed to have fulfilled the requirements of the course. If students do not complete an assessment task(s), excluding the examination, they will receive 0% for the uncompleted assignment(s) and a maximum of 49% for the course, or a lower grade depending on marks for other continuing assessment assignments. Students must pass the final examination in order to pass the course (i.e. if you fail the examination, then your examination mark becomes your final mark for the course). If you receive a 45%-49% for the course, you will be offered an additional assessment examination on academic grounds. If you pass the additional assessment exam, you will receive 50% as your final grade. If you receive 45-49% for the primary examination and do not sit the additional assessment examination, the mark for the primary examination will be your mark for the course.

1) BUSINESS LETTER: 200-250 words

In weeks 2 and 3, we shall be working on business letters. In week 3, you will be expected to bring a draft of your business letter to class for peer review and comment. You will then submit the letter for assessment on the Monday of week 4.


2) EMAIL (and revised business letter): 100-150 words
Students must write their email on the same topic as their business letter.

In weeks 4 and 5, we shall be working on emails (on the same topic as that chosen for the business letter). In week 5, you are expected to bring a draft of your email to class for peer review and comment. You will then submit your email at the beginning of week 6, along with your business letter (revised or not) so that the email can be assessed in part for evidence of understanding of the differences between a business letter and an email (e.g. structure, tone, layout, length).


3) LITERATURE REVIEW AND REFERENCES LIST: 1,200-1,250 words including references.

In Week 6, we will examine report structures, concentrating on literature reviews and referencing. To complete the assessment task for this section of the course, you will: choose from a set list of report questions; conduct limited research into the most current material published on your question; and write a review of the current literature you find (including in-text referencing).  You will also  compile format a reference list in the referencing style appropriate to your discipline


4) GRAMMAR AND WRITING TEST: equivalent 250-300 words

In week 10 there will be in-class assessment of grammar. You will be given a number of exercises to complete based on the grammar exercises completed in class and / or set for homework. You may also be required to complete a free writing task, paying attention to the grammar principles that you will have learned.


5) JOB APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT: approximately 1250 words
 
You will compile an application based on a real advertisement for a job you would like to have in real life.  This will include a covering letter, a CV and a reply to four Selection Criteria.


6) PARTICIPATION
 
Students are expected to read the online lecture notes, do the grammar exercises set for homework, and bring exercises and drafts of assignments to class for peer review. Students may be tested in-class on their knowledge of the online lecture notes in informal, short, weekly quizzes. The mark for participation is derived in part from completion of set exercises, preparation of assignment drafts, contributions in class and familiarity with the contents of online lecture notes. Attendance at workshops is compulsory and attendance records will be kept. 


7) FINAL EXAMINATION: approximately 1500 words

The Final Examination consists of a number of sections that cover the work and assignments done during the semester. The sections test students’ knowledge  in the following areas: Grammar; Business Letters and Emails; Literature Reviews and Referencing; Job Applications.

All assignments are to be submitted by 12 noon (midday) on the due date, in hard copy via the Humanities Office on Level 7 of the Napier Building, except for assignments due during the mid-semester break, which must be submitted via Turnitin.