Clarke, R. J (2001) S213-01: 1

Multimedia in Organisations

BUSS 213

Supplementary 1Writing in Commerce: Essays & Case Studies

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Agenda 1

IntroductionWhy Write?Writing in a First LanguageWriting in a Second or Third LanguageGenre and its ImplicationsGenre DefinedBenefits of Genre for StudentsBenefits of Genre for Teachers

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Agenda 2

Assistance at UOWLecturerMichael Birt LibraryLearning Resource Centre (19:G102)Woodward-Kron (1996)

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Agenda 3

Academic EssaysTypes of EssaysExplanatory & Evaluative EssaysFor and Against EssaysEssay Genre

Case Study ReportsCase Study Report Genre

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Introduction

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IntroductionWhy Write?

you cannot avoid reading and writing in any academic discipline

you must write in most examinations and in many subjects you must provide written answers to assignments

students who are writing in their first language often intuitively know what is required in essay or case study writing

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IntroductionWriting in a First Language

students writing in their first language have an advantage because writing in that language is very familiar to them (that is reduced to the level of habit)

despite this, many students writing in their first language may not have much experience in academic writing

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IntroductionWriting in a Second or Third Language

writing can be hard work for people who are writing in a second or third language

regardless of whether you are using a first or subsequent language, all students must develop appropriate written communication skills

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IntroductionGenre

any written and spoken language has a considerable amount of information and structure

linguists have identified a particular kind of structure responsible for the large scale organisation of entire texts

this type of structure is referred to as genre

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IntroductionImplications of Genre

the conventional nature of genre assists readers in predicting the meanings of the text

understanding a particular genre assists writers in developing appropriate texts

several commercial written genres have been identified

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IntroductionGenres Defined

genres consist of sequences of elements- each element serves a particular function within a particular type of written or spoken language

there are two major genres that often occur in commercial writing- Essays and Case Study Reports

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IntroductionBenefits of Genre for Students

to be considered a professional in IS you must sound like one, and you must also write like one

at postgraduate level, you must be able to gather, evaluate, argue and interpret facts- your employers will expect you to perform at this level

by using an appropriate genre, student performance is improved

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IntroductionBenefits of Genre for Teachers

lecturers will or should set assignments which require students to communicate using one of the typical structures (called genres) found in commerce

by using the appropriate genre, teachers get the benefit of being able to mark consistently

students will know the appropriate structure for the assignment

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Assistance

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Assistance

If you need help in writing you should first ask for help from your lecturer. It is the lecturers responsibility to help you or direct you to places where you can get help.

there are several places at UOW where you can get Assistance

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Assistance

Michael Birt Library: run courses on using the library to help you research assignments.

these courses are short and very useful. Examples include:Using the Computer SystemUsing the CD-ROM Abstract ServicesBasic Library Skills

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Assistance

Learning Resource Centre (19:G102): run a number of courses which are useful for students using English as a second or third language. Examples include Intensive Grammar, Advanced Grammar, Cohesive Writing, and Academic English (the courses range from 3-6 weeks).

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Assistance

Woodward-Kron, R. (1996) Writing in Commerce: A guide to assist Commerce students with assignment writing Revised Edition Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT), Australia: University of Newcastle <$20

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Academic EssaysSource: Woodward-Kron (1996, 7-8)

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Academic EssaysTypes of Essays

Several types of essay genres existthe differences between these types of

essay are based on the degree of interpretation and evaluation required.

the degree of interpretation and evaluation depend not only on the wording of the question which forms the essay but also on the essay’s topic.

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Academic EssaysExplanatory Essays & Evaluative Essays

Explanatory Essays: essay questions ask what, how, and/or whydo not require a great deal of interpretation on

your part

Evaluative Essaysessay questions ask you to evaluate, assess or

to be criticaldo require a great deal of interpretation on your

part

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Academic EssaysFor and Against Essays

some essay questions require the writer to structure the argument of the essay in terms of pro- and contra- arguments

examples: the advantages (pro) and disadvantages (contra), strengths and weaknesses, or adequacies and inadequacies of a concept, method or model

not common in this department!

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Element Meaning Parts

Thesis a thesis is the propositionto be argued, explainedinterpreted or evaluated

Orientationbrief statement that leads the readerinto the topic

Thesis Statement & Essay Outline

(Key Terms Defined)

Argument is the body of the essay,which presents yourinformation, data orevidence to support thethesis

paragraphs containing TopicSentences and supportinginformation, called Elaboration, foreach argument presented

Conclusions reiterates the writer’scase stated in the thesis

Restate Thesis

Summary of Main Points

(Reflection) or a statement made bythe writer concerning the evidencepresented or the thesis

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Case Study ReportsSource: Woodward-Kron (1996, 25-29)

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Element Meaning PartsTitle Page Report Title

Author’s NameSubmission Date

Table ofContents

List of Numbered Sections in theReport

ExecutiveSummary orSynopsis

provides the reader withan overview of thereports contents

Subject MatterMethods of AnalysisFindingsRecommendations

Introduction outlines the report’sterms of reference (thewhat, where, and when)and outlines the report’sobjectives and purpose

there will be someoverlap with ExecutiveSummary

Terms of ReferenceOutline Report’s Structure

Body depends largely on theparts of the question thestudent must address

Headings and Subheadings whichreflect the contents of each section

Conclusion Findings of the ReportAppendixBibliography