CWB201 Corporate Writing and Editing

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

Professional communication specialists must have a command of an extensive range of corporate writing genres to create and edit corporate documents. This unit allows you to develop the ability to write in at least two corporate writing genres and be proficient in three other genres. It deals with both the fundamentals of language (grammar, punctuation, style) and common corporate writing genres (manuals, reports, speeches, brochures). As a corporate writing specialist, you must also be able to respond authoritatively to technical and stylistic writing questions when such matters arise in the workplace. You will develop your knowledge about how language works and be able to use that knowledge in practical writing applications. As a result, you will become a more confident writer and communicator in corporate and professional situations. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a practical knowledge of two of these genres; reports, brochure writing, digital writing, manuals, speech writing.
2. Effectively deploy grammar, punctuation, choices of style, paragraphing and layout to produce outstanding corporate documents.
3. Demonstrate specialised knowledge about the corporate writing and editing process.
4. Recognise, evaluate, and re-craft writing problems using advanced editing and mechanical skills and using industry-standard proofing techniques and symbols.
5. Discuss and apply ethical decision-making frameworks and an ability to evaluate solutions to ethical dilemmas.
6. Reflect upon and evaluate your own work.

Content

Learning Approaches

Your learning in this unit will involve participation in lectures, tutorials and self-study.Tutorials allow dedicated time for you to practically apply the knowledge and skills provided in lectures. Tutorial topics, exercises, and readings will be provided on the Canvas site for you to download and bring to class. You will be expected to complete any prescribed self-study, including readings out of class, and in preparation for subsequent classes.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback on your performance in this unit will be provided to you in various ways, including: 

• feedback on formative tasks completed in tutorials 
• criteria sheets and additional comments on summative assessment tasks 
• advice delivered through Canvas communications 
• feedback and support from peers in your tutorial. 

Assessment

Overview

You will complete three summative assessment items during the semester: a test, a writing portfolio, and a proof-reading examination. 

These assessment items will enable you to demonstrate your ability to: 

• detect and correct mechanical errors of grammar and punctuation; 
• edit written copy to improve its clarity; 
• create and curate corporate writing documents; 
• reflect upon and evaluate your ability as a corporate communicator; 
• deploy industry-standard proof-reading techniques and symbols. 

Formative exercises and assessment tasks will be conducted in tutorials. Each week, you will complete a series of exercises to instruct and test you in the topic of the week. These exercises will allow you to gauge your progress and comprehension of unit material, which will then feed into your summative assessment. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Quiz/Test

You will read and correct passages of writing that contain errors of grammar and problems of clarity. You will also identify parts of speech, correct mechanical errors, and identify word origins.

Assessment: Portfolio

You will create and curate a portfolio of written work that comprises two items: first a report OR the copy for a brochure (subject matter is your own choice), and second, ONE of the following: digital writing, manual writing, or speech writing. 

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Examination (written)

You will be given a document to proof-read and mark up for errors in spelling, grammar, layout, and mechanics. You will use the proofing symbols standard for industry practice. 

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.

You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.  

Resources

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required. 

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.

You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

3: Professional and Personal Attributes

1. 
   Relates to: Quiz/Test, Portfolio, Examination (written)
2. 
   Relates to: Quiz/Test, Portfolio
3. 
   Relates to: Quiz/Test, Portfolio

Course Learning Outcomes

KC40 Bachelor of Communication

1. Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Portfolio
2. Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
   Relates to: ULO4, Quiz/Test, Examination (written)
3. Critically interrogate the economic and cultural power of digital media, communication, entertainment, and news to make ethical, sustainable, and inclusive contributions to diverse workplaces, communities, and audiences.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Quiz/Test, Portfolio, Examination (written)
4. Demonstrate critical digital literacy skills across diverse platforms and technologies, including familiarity with analytic tools to effectively and responsibly interpret data in the media, communication, and news industries.
   Relates to: ULO2, Quiz/Test, Portfolio, Examination (written)
5. Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Quiz/Test, Portfolio, Examination (written)

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

1. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3
2. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO4
3. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO2
4. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2
5. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO4

KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries

1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3
2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
   Relates to: ULO4
3. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
   Relates to: ULO2
4. Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2
5. Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO4