COMS3005 Writing for Business and the Public Sector

2020

4.5

1 x 3-hour workshop weekly

54 Units of study

PROF3005 has been successfully completed

As a third year professional writing topic it is assumed that students are able to construct grammatically sound extended pieces of writing, and understand the conventions of a number of professional writing contexts.

Assignment(s)

This topic will explore writing for a range of government and bureaucratic, business, and corporate contexts. Producing documents that are fit for purpose, in content, form, language, and length, for a range of communication contexts will be addressed.

The topic will cover digital communications and content, gathering and organising information to create complex documents, evaluating the veracity and appropriateness of source materials, and working with sensitive material. Documents such as complex business correspondence (print and online) and report writing, and government correspondence including ministerials and policy will be covered.

This topic aims to:

• explore a range of writing conventions and techniques in the production of complex documents for government, bureaucratic, business and corporate purposes, including ministerial and cabinet briefings, policy, annual reports, and formal communications
• provide students with skills for conducting effective research for writing in government, bureaucratic, corporate and business contexts
• introduce students to ethical and legal considerations when producing professional documentation
• develop students’ skills in editing their own work in the production of a range of business publications, including for government, bureaucratic, business and corporate distribution

On completion of this topic students will be able to:

• produce a range of documents suitable for print or electronic distribution for internal and external government and bureaucratic communications and business and corporate communications
• research, assess, and synthesise a range of source materials to produce complex documents for specific purposes
• identify and analyse stakeholder attitudes and positions, and write persuasive documents to communicate complex situations and ideas
• discuss ethical standards and their implications when developing business and other professional documents