Units
Persuasive Writing
Unit code: KWP402
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit teaches the use of persuasive writing in the workplace. The unit analyses a variety of writing genres to reveal how they persuade their audiences. The analysis is founded on critical discourse and semiotic theory. You will apply these learned techniques and theories to produce a portfolio of persuasive writing. It covers a range of genres such as public health campaigns, proposals, speechwriting and political persuasion.
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.
Parts of this unit are taught concurrently with KWB103.
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. Organise and communicate information in a professional and creative manner;
2. Display accuracy, honesty, and ethical standards in professional communication;
3. Write persuasive texts that are appropriate for their audience, purpose, and context;
4. Analyse and evaluate persuasive texts using a vocabulary derived from theories of persuasion.
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.
Where possible you will be streamed into all post-graduate tutorials and workshops.
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.strong>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:
(Formative and Summative) You will write two (2) summaries of c.500 words each on two of the tutorial readings. You are free to choose any of the readings from the set list, from any week in the semester.
Relates to objectives:
1 & 4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Throughout Semester
Assessment name:
Portfolio
Description:
(Summative and formative) Portfolio A - You will compose or analyse a persuasive text based on the lecture and tutorial material from weeks 1-6. You may either (a) write a persuasive text and comment on the devices and strategies you have used, or (b) analyse a piece of persuasive writing that you have selected.
Relates to objectives:
3 & 4
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Mid Semester
Assessment name:
Portfolio
Description:
(Summative) Portfolio B - You will compose or analyse a persuasive text based on the lecture and tutorial material from weeks 7-12. You may either (a) write a persuasive text and comment on the devices and strategies you have used, or (b) analyse a piece of persuasive writing that you have selected.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2 & 4
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End of 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
Required Text
Readings for each week as specified.
Lecture materials on the Blackboard site.
References supplied in lectures and tutorials.
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
