This course builds on Introduction to Writing for Government (GRAD7910) to promote concise writing that conveys meaning that readers will grasp in one reading. It provides public sector workers with an applied understanding of the underlying structures and mechanisms of written English, so that they may write more simply, clearly and effectively at work, and so be more fully and properly understood.
Topics include:
- how sentence elements are related and work together to convey meaning
- how the relationship between sentence elements can become distant, broken or illogical
- knowing when certain words and word groups are essential, incidental or unnecessary
- words that writers confuse with other similar words
- how passive voice can cloud meaning
- the role of punctuation in linking and separating sentence elements
- the role of punctuation in clarifying meaning
- the features of a well-structured paragraph.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On completing this course, students should be able to:
- make sensible decisions about English usage and punctuation
- distinguish between words that sound or look alike but have different meanings
- distinguish between good English usage and pedantry
- understand which words link ideas
- avoid vague, inaccurate and illogical links between ideas
- achieve harmony between sentence elements
- understand the principles of agreement, parallelism, voice, modification and ambiguity
- progress beyond hit-and-miss punctuation based on speaking and breathing patterns
- construct coherent, logical sentences and paragraphs
- write more concisely
- express clear thoughts in clear sentences
- write with more confidence and influence
- provide better quality information to decision makers
Indicative Assessment
Weekly exercises (in-class or homework) based on class learning 5 x 8% 40%
Correction/improvement exercises based on authentic writing samples from students' individual workplaces (min. 500 words each ) 40%
Class attendance and participation 10%
Online discussion group participation 10%
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
One three hour session per week for 5 weeks, plus homework exercises and online discussion group participation.(3 - 6pm Mondays 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 August 2009.)
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
A workbook and course notes are provided to each student at no extra charge.Preliminary Reading
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 3 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 3.00 | 0.06250 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $1302 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2073 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.