Table of Contents

Course Guide xi–xv

Topic 1 Introduction to Communication 1

1.1 What is Communication? 1
1.1.1 Elements in Communication 2
1.1.2 Factors Affecting Communication 3
1.2 Defining Written Communication 6
1.3 Why Written Communication? 6
1.4 Tips on Written Communication 8
1.4.1 The Writing Process 8
1.4.2 Pitfalls to Avoid 9
1.5 Challenges in Written Communication 12
1.5.1 New Technologies 12
1.5.2 When Others Fail to Respond 12
1.5.3 Asking the Right Questions 13
Summary 14
Key Terms 15
References 15

Topic 2 Communication Models – A Theoretical Perspective 16

2.1 Claude ShannonÊs Model 17
2.2 Roman JakobsonÊs Model 18
2.3 Model Based on Ulric NeisserÊs Work 19
2.4 Model Based on Michael PolanyiÊs Work 20
2.5 Some Ideas about Communication 21
2.5.1 Signs, Symbols and Abbreviations 21
Summary 23
Key Terms 24
References 24

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Topic 3 What are Essays? 25

3.1 Planning to Write Essays 26
3.1.1 Pre-writing Stage 26
3.1.2 Drafting Stage 28
3.1.3 Editing Stage 29
3.1.4 Final Draft Stage 29
3.2 Types of Essays 30
3.3 Discourse Markers 31
3.4 Writing Paragraphs 34
Summary 37
Key Terms 37
References 38

Topic 4 Types of Essays 39

4.1 Explanation Essay 40
4.2 Argumentation Essay 44
4.3 Discussion Essay 48
4.4 Supporting Evidence 48
4.4.1 Types of Evidence 49
4.4.2 How to Use Evidence 49
4.5 Logical Fallacies 50
4.5.1 Hasty Generalisation 51
4.5.2 Missing The Point 52
4.5.3 Post Hoc (False Cause) 53
4.5.4 Slippery Slope 53
4.5.5 Weak Analogy 54
4.5.6 Appeal to Authority 55
4.5.7 Ad Populum 55
4.5.8 Ad Hominem and Tu Quoque 56
4.5.9 Appeal to Pity 57
4.5.10 Appeal to Ignorance 57
4.5.11 Straw Man 58
4.5.12 Red Herring 59
4.5.13 False Dichotomy 59
4.5.14 Begging the Question 60
4.5.15 Equivocation 61
Summary 62
Key Terms 62
References 63

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Topic 5 Tackling Essays 64

5.1 Writing Paragraphs 65
5.2 Tackling Essay Questions 67
5.3 Creative Writing 68
5.4 Bibliographies and Plagiarism 69
5.4.1 Bibliographies 69
5.4.2 Plagiarism 72
5.5 Screening for Useful Resources 73
5.6 Describing Visual Data 73
Summary 75
Key Terms 76
References 76

Topic 6 Persuasive Writing 78

6.1 Arrangement of Persuasive Writing 79
6.1.1 Reasons for and Purposes of Persuasive Writing 80
6.1.2 Types of Reasoning Processes 80
6.1.3 Source of Information, and Relating to Arguments 84
and Evidence
6.2 Persuasive Strategies 85
6.3 The Reasoning Process 86
6.4 Direct and Indirect Patterns of Organisation 86
6.5 Voice and Credibility 87
Summary 88
Key Terms 89
References 89

Topic 7 Report Writing 90

7.1 The Process of Preparing a Report 91
7.1.1 Stages/Tasks in Report Preparation 91
7.1.2 Gathering the Data 92
7.1.3 Analysing and Sorting the Results 93
7.1.4 Outlining the Report 94
7.1.5 Writing the Draft 96
7.1.6 Revising the Draft 97
7.2 Style Matters 98
7.2.1 The Report Style 98
7.2.2 The Writing Style 99
7.3 Tips and Guidelines 102
Summary 108
Key Terms 108
References 108

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Topic 8 Writing and Presenting Proposals 109

8.1 What is a Research Proposal? 110
8.2 Elements of a Research Proposal 111
8.3 Writing a Research Proposal 114
8.3.1 Stakeholders and Their Concerns 114
8.3.2 Critical Factors in Proposal Evaluation 114
8.3.3 Putting a Proposal Together 115
8.4 Other Types of Proposals 117
8.4.1 Formal and Informal Proposals 117
8.4.2 Business Proposals 118
8.4.3 Proposals for Feasibility Study 119
Summary 122
Key Terms 122
References 123

Topic 9 Fundamentals of Writing a Research Paper 124

9.1 What is a Research Paper? 125
9.2 Steps in Writing a Research Paper 126
9.2.1 Selecting a Topic 127
9.2.2 Planning the Research Design and Process 130
9.2.3 Compiling Research Resources 132
9.3 Getting Started 134
9.3.1 Outlining and Organisation 134
9.3.2 Support Your Argument 135
9.3.3 Writing Tips 135
9.3.4 Citation Styles 136
9.3.5 Presentation 140
9.4 Tips and Guidelines 141
9.4.1 Read, Read, Read 141
9.4.2 Organise Your Discussion 141
9.4.3 Categorise Information 142
9.4.4 Develop Note-Taking Skills 143
9.5 Looking at Examples 144
Summary 147
Key Terms 148
References 148

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Topic 10 Collaborative Writing 149

10.1 Stages in Collaborative Writing 149
10.1.1 The Invention Stage 150
10.1.2 The Drafting Stage 151
10.1.3 The Revision Stage 151
10.2 Team Communication 152
10.3 Team Management 153
10.3.1 Team Building and Task Analysis 153
10.3.2 Management of Time, Writing and Documents 154
10.4 Managing Collaborative Writing Projects 155
10.5 Practice in Writing Step-by-Step Instructions 156
10.6 Conflict Management 157
10.7 Collaborative Writing Practice and Related 158
Matters to Consider
Summary 160
Key Terms 160
References 160

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