Assessment Information
Subject Code: EAP1000
Subject Name: Business communication
Assessment Title: Group report and oral presentation
Weighting: 30%
Total Marks: 100
Due Date: Week 10 – 5pm AEST, 25 September and Week 12
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Assessment Description
Length 1500 words + 12 minute presentation
Introduction
Form a group of three to four students. You are required to write a report based on the scenario below, then to present your report findings in a group presentation. You may choose any country on which to focus your report.
Scenario
The company you are working for in Australia would like to form a relationship with a business in another country. As you are a student of business communication and have studied with students of different nationalities, the managers have identified you as appropriate people to write a report to people working in another country. Below is the email you received from the manager of the International Business Practice Group at your company.
To: Business communication student@xyz.com.au
From: ned.stark@xyz.com.au
Subject: Report on intercultural communication
Date: 12 March 2015
Dear Students
As you’re aware, ABCD is planning to establish a long-term, strategic, business relationship with an organisation in (choose your country).
Given your studies in Business Communication and your expertise in intercultural communication, you have been commissioned to prepare a set of guidelines that XYZ employees can use to communicate effectively with people from (your chosen country) in a workplace context focussing on cultural differences. Your report will help us design an International Business Education Program for training staff in intercultural communication.
Please submit the report by 5pm AEST Friday 29 May.
The first team is departing on 15 June. They will need a brief oral report before they leave. Please arrange a suitable presentation time with your supervisor.
I’m looking forward to receiving your valuable input on this project and to working closely with you in the next few weeks.
Regards, Ned
International Business Practice Group ABCD Corporation
As a new employee, this is a chance for you to prove your worth to your company. Use this opportunity to show what you know about intercultural communication and effective workplace communication practices.
Outcomes
Your group of 3 to 4 people is required to write a report in response to this email. You will then present your report findings to the staff who are going overseas. Give the names of your group members to your lecturer in WEEK 4.
Your report, written in plain English, should be a formal document which outlines the issues for the team going overseas. Describe the general challenges of intercultural communication and explain the ways that the report will help the individuals. It should give them some of the key information they should know to enable them to operate in the different cultural environment. This may include both specific information about the culture and general information about working with people from other cultures. The format of your report should include:
• cover letter (letter of transmittal)
• cover page
• table of contents
• executive summary
• introduction
• discussion
• summary and conclusions
• recommendations
Marks will be awarded for the comprehensiveness of your research, your awareness of the contemporary business environment, and report format and structure.
You are then required to present your report content to your lecturer. The presentation should be no more than 12 minutes long and all group members should speak. You must provide your lecturer with a copy of your powerpoint slides. The presentation will be in WEEK 12.
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Assessment Marking Rubric
Criteria - Report HD (High Distinction)
85%-100% DN (Distinction)
75%-84% CR (Credit)
74%-65% P (Pass)
50%-64% NN (Fail)
0%-49% Score
Report structure
30% • Titles and headings accurately describe the contents
• Sections are numbered, and are in the correct order
• Title page complete, centred and accurate
• Table of contents prepared using MS word feature, with all sections
• Executive Summary concisely and completely summarises the report
• Introduction includes background, purpose and scope
• Discussion analyses the situation and develops a clear, logical, advanced argument
• Conclusion accurately summarises the report
• Recommendation clearly and logically follows conclusion and is appropriate for organisation needs. It is well detailed.
• Appendix (if necessary) contains material that would interrupt the flow of the document
Graphics are appropriate, labelled and placed close to the text that refers to them • Titles and headings accurately describe the contents
• Sections are numbered, and are in the correct order
• Title page complete, centred and accurate
• Table of contents, with all sections
• Executive Summary completely summarises the report
• Introduction includes background, purpose and scope
• Discussion analyses the situation and develops a clear, logical argument
• Conclusion accurately summarises the report
• Recommendation clearly follows conclusion and is mainly appropriate for organisation needs
• Appendix (if necessary) contains material that would interrupt the flow of the document
Graphics are appropriate and labelled.. • Titles and headings accurately describe the contents of most sections
• Sections are numbered, and are mainly in the correct order
• Title page complete and accurate
• Table of contents prepared with all sections
• Executive Summary summarises the report
• Introduction includes most relevant information
• Discussion analyses the situation
• Conclusion summarises the report
• Recommendation logically follows conclusion
• Appendix (if necessary) contains material that would interrupt the flow of the document
Graphics are appropriate. • Titles and headings accurately describe the contents of some sections
• Section order and numbering contains several errors
• Title page accurate
• Table of contents correct with some exceptions
• Executive Summary included
• Introduction includes some required information
• Discussion analyses some elements of the situation
• Conclusion does not fully reflect the contents of the report
• Recommendation included
• Appendices (if necessary) not always used appropriately
Graphics are used to illustrate points but not fully discussed • Titles and headings do not reflect the contents
• Section order and numbering contains many errors
• Title page incomplete or omitted
• Table of contents incomplete
• Executive Summary poorly constructed
• Introduction does not include background or purpose of report
• Discussion does not describe or analyse the major elements of the situation
• Conclusion does not reflect the contents of the report
• Inappropriate recommendations included
• Appendices (if necessary) not used appropriately
Graphics (if included) do not relate to the discussion
Critical argument and content
50% • Content demonstrates audience awareness and structures writing to meet audience information needs
• Content covers all areas outlined in the instructions within the word limit
• Discussion is of appropriate depth and all aspects of the discussion are relevant to the situation
• Argument is supported by a substantial range of credible, current sources
• Report demonstrates critical analysis and results in valid judgements and recommendations
• Discussion equitably compares the perspectives of different sources
Argument is persuasive and is ordered logically • Content demonstrates audience awareness and structures writing to meet audience information needs
• Content covers main areas outlined in the instructions within the word limit
• Discussion is of appropriate depth and some aspects of the discussion are relevant to the situation
• Argument is supported by credible, current sources
• Report demonstrates critical analysis and results in valid judgements and recommendations
• Discussion compares the perspectives of different sources
• Argument is ordered logically
• Content demonstrates audience awareness and structures writing to meet most of the audience information needs
• Content covers most areas outlined in the instructions within the word limit
• Discussion is of appropriate depth and some aspects of the discussion are relevant to the situation
• Argument is supported by a range of sources
• Report demonstrates critical analysis and mainly results in valid judgements and recommendations
• Discussion compares the perspectives of different sources
• Argument is ordered logically in most sections • Content demonstrates awareness of some information needs of the audience and structures writing to meet them
• Content covers some areas outlined in the instructions within the word limit
• Most aspects of the discussion are relevant to the situation but not in depth
• Argument is supported by some sources but they are not always credible or current
• Report does not fully analyse situation to lead to valid judgements and recommendations
• Discussion does not fully consider perspectives of different sources
• Argument is not persuasive and could be more logically ordered • Content does not demonstrate awareness of most of the audience information needs
• Content does not cover many areas outlined in the instructions
• Many aspects of the discussion are not relevant to the situation
• Argument is unsupported by relevant sources
• Report does not fully analyse situation to provide judgements and recommenda-tions
• Discussion does not consider perspectives of different sources
• Argument is not persuasive
Language and presentation
20% • Sentences and paragraphs are well structured and clear.
• Vocabulary is professional, appropriate and extensive
• Grammar, spelling and punctuation are flawless.
• Document professionally presented in terms of KBS guidelines
• Intext referencing and reference list format correct
• Sentences and paragraphs are well structured and clear with minor exceptions.
• Vocabulary is professional and appropriate.
• Grammar, spelling and punctuation are good.
• . Document professionally presented in terms of KBS guidelines
• Intext referencing and reference list format correct with minor exceptions.
• Sentences and paragraphs are mainly well structured
• Vocabulary is comprehensive
• Few errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation
• . Document professionally presented in terms of KBS guidelines with few exceptions
• Intext referencing and reference list format correct with some errors
• Sentences and paragraphs are readable but with grammatical errors
• Vocabulary is limited.
• Document professionally presented in terms of KBS guidelines with significant exceptions
• Intext referencing and reference list format contains significant errors
• Meaning is often unclear
• Comments are poorly structured
• Many grammatical, vocabulary and spelling errors
• Document poorly presented and many aspects do not comply with KBS guidelines
• Intext referencing and reference list format mainly incorrect
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Comments:
Assignment Mark/Grade: Total score
Criteria - Presentation HD (High Distinction)
85%-100% DN (Distinction)
75%-84% CR (Credit)
74%-65% P (Pass)
50%-64% NN (Fail)
0%-49% HD (High Distinction)
85%-100% Score
Language and presentation (delivery)
Individual
50%
• Structure of sentences and paragraphs
• Vocabulary
• Pronunciation
• Evidence of rehearsal
• Nonverbal communication
• Use of notes Sentences are well structured, varied, clear and designed to complement the content
Pronunciation is flawless
Vocabulary is professional, appropriate and extensive
The main points and new technical terms are clearly described and/or explained
Presenter appears fully rehearsed and well prepared
Presenter uses facial expressions, eye contact, paralinguistics, vocalics, gesture, posture and clothing to appear confident and positive
Presenter uses effective strategies to engage the audience and clearly communicate with them
Presenter is not reliant on notes and does not appear to have memorised the presentation Sentences are mainly well structured and clear
Few errors in pronunciation
Vocabulary is professional and appropriate
The main points and new technical terms are clearly described and/or explained, with few exceptions
Presenter appears rehearsed and well prepared
Presenter uses facial expressions, eye contact, paralinguistics, vocalics, gesture, posture and clothing well, with minor exceptions
Presenter uses good strategies to engage the audience and communicate with them
Presenter is not reliant on notes Sentences are mainly well structured and clear with a few errors which compromise meaning
Some errors in pronunciation
Vocabulary is appropriate
The main points and new technical terms are described, with few exceptions
Presenter appears rehearsed and prepared for most of the presentation
Presenter uses facial expressions, eye contact, paralinguistics, vocalics, gesture, posture and clothing well, with some exceptions
Presenter uses some strategies to engage the audience and communicate with them
Presenter is not reliant on notes but refers to them Sentences are mainly well structured
Some errors in pronunciation
Vocabulary is adequate
The main points and new technical terms are clearly described and/or explained, with some exceptions
presenter appears somewhat rehearsed
Presenter attempts to use appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, paralinguistics, vocalics, gesture, posture and clothing
Presenter attempts to use some strategies to engage the audience and communicate with them
Presenter frequently refers to notes Sentences are poorly structured
Many errors in pronunciation
Vocabulary is inadequate
The main points and new technical terms are not clearly described and/or explained
presenter does not appear well rehearsed
Presenter’s nonverbal communication detracts from presentation
Presenter does not use strategies to engage the audience and communicate with them
Presenter reads presentation directly from notes Language and presentation of very low level.

Visual aids (Group)
20%
Presentation of slides – language, format, graphics
Grammar, spelling and punctuation are flawless
Intext referencing and reference list format correct
Titles and headings accurately describe the contents
Text bullet pointed and brief (no more than 6 points on a slide)
Graphics are appropriate, labelled and used effectively
Fonts and colours are effective and appropriate and adhere to conventions (eg no more than three colours and readable fonts)
Referencing correct Grammar, spelling and punctuation have few errors
Intext referencing and reference list format correct, with minor errors
Titles and headings accurately describe the contents in most cases
Text bullet pointed and brief with some overuse of blocks of text
Graphics are appropriate and labelled
Fonts and colours are effective and appropriate
Referencing correct with minor errors Grammar, spelling and punctuation have few errors
Intext referencing and reference list format correct, with minor errors
Titles and headings accurately describe the contents in most cases
Text bullet pointed and brief with some overuse of blocks of text
Graphics are appropriate and labelled
Fonts and colours are effective and appropriate
Referencing correct with some errors Grammar, spelling and punctuation have some errors
Intext referencing and reference list format correct, with some errors
Titles and headings accurately describe the contents with several exceptions
Text often presented in blocks
Graphics are mainly appropriate and labelled
Fonts and colours are not always effective and appropriate
Omissions and errors in referencing Many errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation
Intext referencing and reference list format incorrect or omitted – evidence of plagiarism
Titles and headings do not accurately describe the contents
Text not summarised, presented in large, unreadable blocks
Graphics are not appropriate and labelled
Fonts and colours are not effective and appropriate
No referencing Powerpoint slides not professionally presented

Content and structure
(group)
30%
• Introduction, discussion and conclusion
• Audience awareness Introduction includes effective background, purpose and overview and catches audience attention
Discussion develops a clear, logical argument or description using a structural convention (eg spatial, chronological, problem-solution)
Conclusion accurately summarises the presentation and ends on a meaningful, thought provoking note
Content demonstrates audience awareness Introduction includes effective background, purpose and overview
Discussion develops a clear, logical argument or description
Conclusion accurately summarises the presentation
Content demonstrates audience awareness with few exceptions
Introduction includes background, purpose and overview
Discussion develops argument or description
Conclusion summarises the presentation
Content demonstrates audience awareness with some exceptions
Introduction includes some aspects of background, purpose and overview
Discussion develops a clear argument or description
Conclusion summarises the presentation
Content demonstrates audience awareness with some significant exceptions
Introduction does not provide essential information on topic, eg overview
Discussion is not logically structured
Conclusion brief or omitted
Content does not demonstrate audience awareness
Presentation is not appropriately structured and does not meet audience information needs
Comments:
Assignment Mark/Grade: Total score