Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Writing Technical, Scientific and Business Reports

• Unit Code

  WRT3122

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  Online

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Description

This unit provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake technical, scientific and business report writing in a professional manner

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded WRT2102, WRT4102, WRT4122

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Design a document that meets specific stated report requirements.
2. Identify and use appropriate visual aids in reports.
3. Identify sources, conduct research and collate data as a basis for a report.
4. Plan a technical, scientific and business report.
5. Prepare a report for publication.
6. Review and edit a variety of reports and professional documents.
7. Write a technical, scientific and business report using correct punctuation, grammar and appropriate register.

Unit Content

1. Choosing appropriate report content and structure.
2. Document design, formatting, visual aids and report presentation.
3. Maintenance and change control.
4. Preparing a report for publication.
5. Research techniques, data collection and analysis methodology.
6. Structuring and writing a business report.
7. Structuring and writing a scientific report.
8. Structuring and writing a technical report.
9. The review process and finishing the document.
10. Writing for the appropriate audience (grammar, punctuation, tone, register, style).

Additional Learning Experience Information

The content of the unit is presented in written materials designed to develop specific report writing skills.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Kesslen, A., & Collins, K. (2001). From thought to word. Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Australian Government. (2002). Style guide for authors, editors and printers. (6th ed.). Milton, Qld: John Wiley & Sons.
• Burch, C.B. (2003). A writer's grammar. New York: Longman.
• Chambers, H.E. (2001). Effective communications skills for scientific and technical professionals. New York: Perseus Publishing.
• Ebel, H.F., Bliefort, C., & Russey, W.E. (2004). The art of scientific writing. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH Verlag.
• Watson, D. (2003). Death sentence: The decay of public language. Sydney: Random House.
• Heffernan, J.A.W., Lincoln, J.E., & Moore, C. (2001). Writing: A college workbook. (5th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
• Marsen, S. (2007). Professional writing: The complete guide for business, industry and IT. (2nd ed.). New York: Palgrave.
• Spender, L. (2004). Between the lines: A legal guide for writers and illustrators. Strawberry Hills, NSW: Keesing Press.
• Surma, A. (2005). Public and professional writing: Ethics, imagination and rhetoric. Houndmills, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Truss, L. (2003). Eats, shoots and leaves: The zero tolerance approach to punctuation. London: Profile Books Ltd.
• Flann, E., & Hill, B. (2004). The Australian editing handbook. (rev. ed.). Milton, Qld: John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd.

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