| Effective Term: | 2026/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Education, Arts & Community |
| Unit Title: | Introduction to Professional Writing |
| Unit ID: | BAWRT1002 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (HENAA1004) |
| ASCED: | 109999 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
The ability to write professionally is one of the most crucial skills for success in work and life. In this unit students will learn how to communicate clearly, effectively, accurately, and persuasively in all professional writing contexts. Students will practise writing for a variety of professional purposes, focusing on clarity, accuracy, use of evidence and persuasion. Students who complete the unit will demonstrate confident and accurate use of grammar, syntax and punctuation; the ability to write for a variety of professional purposes and audiences; and confidence in planning, drafting and editing their own writing. Students will also develop the professional skills to accurately and effectively edit others’ writing through engaging in a structured peer-review and workshop process. Students will have the opportunity to develop a portfolio of professional writing which may include summaries, persuasive articles, essays and reports, relevant to a broad range of study areas and careers |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | |  | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Identify the rules of grammar, syntax and punctuation. |
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| K2. | Evaluate the fundamentals of effective writing for a variety of professional purposes and audiences, including the use of evidence and persuasion |
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| K3. | Reflect on the relationship between analytical skills and clear expression. |
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| K4. | Appraise the key stages in the writing process (planning, drafting, editing) |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Read for comprehension and composition |
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| S2. | Analyse and evaluate techniques of persuasion and argument in written texts. |
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| S3. | Develop an audience-centred, reader-oriented approach to writing. |
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| S4. | Use grammar, syntax and punctuation to write clearly, concisely, correctly and effectively. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Confidently employ grammar, syntax, punctuation, evidence and persuasion to write clearly, concisely and effectively for a variety of professional purposes and audiences. |
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| A2. | Demonstrate confidence in planning, drafting and editing their own and others’ writing. |
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| A3. | Develop a portfolio of professional writing which may include summaries, persuasive articles, essays and reports, relevant to a broad range of study areas and careers. |
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| Unit Content: |
•The importance of writing professionally
•Barriers to communication
•Characteristics of clear, effective, accurate and persuasive written communication
•Parts of speech
•Punctuation
•Effective sentences
•Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences
•Structuring an effective and persuasive argument
•Rhetorical appeals
•Editing and proofreading
•Writing summaries, articles, essays and reports
•Applications of professional writing in a variety of disciplines and careers |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1 | A series of weekly online quizzes designed to support students’ learning of grammar, punctuation and syntax | Quizzes | S/U | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3 | Write a summary of a selected article using the summary format. | Summary | 25-35% | | 3. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3 | Research, plan, compose and edit either an argumentative essay or a persuasive piece with exegetical component. | Argumentative essay or persuasive piece with exegesis | 30-40% | | 4. | K1, S1, S4, A1 | Written test evaluating professional writing skills, such as comprehension, grammar, syntax and punctuation. | Test | 25-35% |
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