Units
Persuasive Writing
Unit code: KWB103
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
Persuasive writing is an integral (if often unconscious) element of both professional and creative writing. Therefore, practitioners in these fields should be able to understand the principles of persuasion, use the vocabulary of persuasion, and evaluate the efficacy of different persuasive strategies. This unit introduces you to the theory and practice of writing persuasively across a number of genres to enhance your writing skills.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Persuasive writing is an integral (if often unconscious) element of both professional and creative writing. Therefore, practitioners in these fields should be able to understand the principles of persuasion, use the vocabulary of persuasion, and evaluate the efficacy of different persuasive strategies. This unit introduces you to the theory and practice of writing persuasively across a number of genres to enhance your writing skills.
This unit is concurrently taught with KWP402, with appropriate learning outcomes tailored for undergraduate students.
Aims
This unit aims to introduce you to the theories, techniques, and practices of writing persuasively.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Apply effective written communication skills to organise and communicate information creatively.
2. Write persuasive texts that are appropriate for their audience, purpose, and context.
3. Analyse persuasive texts using a vocabulary derived from theories of persuasion.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of persuasive texts.
Content
The unit addresses content such as classical theories of persuasion, classical rhetoric, persuasion and humour, political persuasion, consumer appeals, public information campaigns, and grant writing.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Lectures will survey the week's topic, discuss the principles of persuasion to be considered, and describe and explain the theories that underpin the principles discussed. The workshops will combine writing exercises and analysis of set readings to allow you to understand and recognise how persuasive writing works and to give you practice at writing persuasively in a number of different situations and genres. Lecture and tutorial times have been arranged to permit flexibility of learning modes, depending on the topic of the week. If you are experiencing problems with the content of the unit or in completing your assessment, you should discuss these difficulties with your tutor or the unit co-ordinator as soon as possible.
Assessment
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.
Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information see the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
During tutorials you will have the opportunity to discuss persuasive writings from a variety of genres, perspectives, and ideological positions. You will receive feedback on your understanding of this material through in-class debate and discussions. Therefore, while tutorial attendance is not compulsory, your weekly readings and contributions to the in-class discussion will assist your performance on the summative assessment tasks. Weight: 0%
Assessment name:
Report
Description:
(Summative and Formative)
You will write two (2) summaries of c.500 words each on two of the tutorial readings (1000 words total). You are free to choose any of the readings from the set list, from any week in the semester. Due in tutorials as specified.
Relates to objectives:
1 & 3
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
As specified
Assessment name:
Critique (written)
Description:
(Summative and Formative)
You will analyse a persuasive text based on the lecture and tutorial material from weeks 1-6.
Relates to objectives:
1, 3 & 4
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Mid Semester
Assessment name:
Creative Work
Description:
(Summative and Formative)
You will compose a persuasive text based on the lecture and tutorial material from weeks 7-12.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2 & 3
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End Semester
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
There is no required text for this unit.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 04-Oct-2012
