ESSAY ~ 1,200 words (30 marks)
This task relates to the concepts and information contained in the first six weekly lessons. Your task is to analyse one (1) of the following issues in an essay of 1,200 words (+/- 10%):
It is argued that: 'Improving your communication skills may be the single most important step you can take in your career' (Thill & Bovee 2013, p. 3, cited in Costigan 2014, p. 2). What is communication? How is communication important in today's professional and business world? Discuss.
or
Audience and purpose are two important concepts for communicators. Discuss these concepts in relation to various communication mediums (e.g. websites, emails, meetings).
or
Why is an organised communication always more effective than an unorganised one? Identify and discuss the advantages of organisation and planning in effective communication.
You are to use at least FOUR sources in addition to the textbook and weekly lessons in your referencing of this essay. You must include journal articles.
Your response must be an essay, written in accordance with standard academic writing principles. To pass, assignments must meet the specifications below:

STRUCTURE
Include a title page at the front of the essay (include name and student number, course name and number, coordinator's or lecturer's name, assessment title and name, word length and due date).
The introduction is approximately 10 percent of the overall word count. In your introduction you should include the aim of the essay; the key points you will be discussing in the essay, and a thesis statement or argument. Remember that your conclusion will also need to connect and summarise whatever issues are raised in the introduction.
The body/discussion. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence followed by information relating to that topic (do not have one and two sentence paragraphs as in journalistic style of writing as these do not allow you to expand on an argument). References must be used in the body/discussion to back up your points/arguments and you can include examples from a variety of sources. Use communication and business communication sources and access the library databases for sources such as journal articles. The textbook has several useful sections on communication in its various aspects. Do not use Wikipedia and only use web pages that are authoritative - follow the CARS checklist below:
C = is the website/source CREDIBLE? Does it make sense? Is it a place that usually provides unbiased/impartial information?
A = is the website/source ACCURATE? Is it up to date? Are the statistics/data recent or relatively 'fresh'?
R = is the website/source RELIABLE? Is it a place you can always count on to be correct and trustworthy?
S = is the website/source SUBSTANTIATED? Do you know who wrote/designed/hosts it? Do you have a name you can check up on?
Access the Harvard Referencing Guide, which you can find on the Moodle site, on how to reference in the body and in the reference list and also have a look at some sample paragraphs.
The conclusion is approximately 10 percent of the overall word count. In your conclusion you summarise the main points you have made in both your introduction and in the body of the essay – avoid new references or new information in the conclusion.
Include a reference list of sources cited in your essay. Only put in the reference list those sources that have been cited in your essay. Remember, if you use any information from outside sources it must be referenced in the body of the essay and cited in the reference list. Access the Harvard Referencing Guide for help with referencing.

FORMAT AND STYLE
Size 11 or 12 point font size depending on your choice of font which should be clear and unfussy.
1.5 line spacing.
Extra line space between paragraphs.
Page numbering begins on first page after title page.
Titles of books, journals and films are in italics.
Headings are not used in essays.
Use third person (do not use I, you, us, we, our). Say instead: 'This essay will discuss ... It has been suggested that ... it may be argued that ...'
Do not use colloquial terms - slang words or informal expression; this is a formal piece of academic writing and needs to be treated as such.
Do not use abbreviations or contractions (say for example, not e.g.; say 'it will not' rather than 'it won't').
Dictionary Australian English or British English (Macquarie or Oxford Australian or OED).
The essay will be marked according to the essay criteria sheet. Submit as a word document to Moodle.

FEEDBACK FROM THE PREVIOUS TERM:
Make sure you answer the assessment task/topic. Always check back to your topic.
Answer all parts of the topic.
Make sure you use essay format - for example do not use bullet points or headings as for a report or one and two sentences as in journalism.
Use formal language.
Keep to the stipulated word count - however, you are allowed 10 percent either way.
Make sure you have at least four sources in addition to the textbook and lessons and that you also use journal articles and relevant and valid communication and business communication sources.
Have references in the body of the essay and include a reference list - access the Harvard Referencing Guide on the Moodle site.
Note that submission is a three-stage process of (i) uploading the file(s) (ii) saving the file(s) and then (iii) submitting the saved file(s) for marking. Please use the 'Upload files' button below to select and upload your file(s) for this assessment. You must then click the 'Save changes' button after you’ve uploaded the file(s) to ensure they are added to your draft submission.
Note that, once uploaded and saved, all compatible files will be sent to Turnitin.com for originality checking. If you wait for half an hour or so after uploading your draft submission, you can return and check the Turnitin similarity report for your uploaded file(s) to see whether you want to submit them for marking, or whether you want to delete the file(s), revise and resubmit. For further details, please click here.
Please note, when viewing any feedback files for your submission, it is strongly recommended you use appropriate/compatible software applications which correctly open the type of file provided. This will ensure feedback content is displayed as intended.
Available from: Monday, 13 October 2014, 06:00 PM
Due date: Friday, 12 December 2014, 06:00 PM