Unit outline_

WRIT1002: Writing and Rhetoric: Argumentation

Semester 1, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This is a fully online unit of study. It focuses on advanced rhetorical reasoning and the theory, construction, and delivery of sound arguments, which are critical to success in the university and the workplace. Designed to improve writing and critical thinking abilities, the unit teaches students to craft persuasive, ethical, and engaging arguments. It will focus on the production and reception of arguments across a range of genres, including digital environments. Online tutorials feature collaborative writing and editing exercises on global, participatory writing platforms.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit English and Writing
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Frances Di Lauro, frances.dilauro@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Frances Di Lauro, frances.dilauro@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Frances Di Lauro, frances.dilauro@sydney.edu.au
Carrol Besseling, carrol.besseling@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Early Feedback Task Research Annotations for five sources
Finding and evaluating sources. Writing annotations. #earlyfeedbacktask
10% Week 02
Due date: 03 Mar 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 07 Mar 2025
600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO1 LO2
Online task Critical Analysis Video Presentation
Recorded critical analysis presentation.
20% Week 05
Due date: 28 Mar 2025 at 23:00

Closing date: 29 Mar 2025
1000 word equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment 2 x 200 word equivalent reviews of peers' videos
You will review the video presentation of two peers
10% Week 06
Due date: 04 Apr 2025 at 23:00

Closing date: 04 Apr 2025
Total 400 words (each 200 word equiv)
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5
Assignment Restricted AI Critical Analysis Presentation Report
Report relating to your Critical Analysis Video Presentation
20% Week 08
Due date: 17 Apr 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 22 Apr 2025
1000 word equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO1
Assignment Restricted AI Close-reading of audio/visual text
Close reading of the specified audio, or visual or audio-visual text.
40% Week 13
Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 06 Jun 2025
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO2
restricted AI = restricted AI ?
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

2% per day

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1) Online Lecture. An introduction to WRIT1002 Writing and Rhetoric: Argumentation. About academic research, reading and writing. 2) First online tutorial hour and activities. 3) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 1) Lecture: Writing and rhetoric - using ethos, pathos and logos 2) First online tutorial hour and activities. 3) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO1 LO2
Week 03 1) Online Lecture: Argumentation principles 2) First online tutorial hour and activities. 3) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (3 hr) LO5 LO1 LO2
Week 04 1) Online Lecture: The Three Branches of Rhetoric 2) First online tutorial hour and activities. 3) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO1 LO2
Week 05 1) Online Lecture: Visual Rhetoric 2) First online tutorial hour and activities. 3) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (3 hr) LO5 LO1 LO2
Week 06 1) Online Lecture: Applying Visual Analysis - observe, identify, and connect. 2) First online tutorial hour and activities. 3) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (3 hr) LO5 LO1 LO2
Week 07 1) Online Lecture: Logos, logic and logical fallacies 2) First online tutorial hour and activities. 3) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (3 hr) LO3 LO5 LO2
Week 08 1) Online Lecture: Argumentation Models (Classical, Toulminian, Rogerian) 2) First online tutorial hour and activities. 3) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO2
Week 09 1) Online lecture: Documentary Films and Deliberative Arguments, 2) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 1) Online Lecture: Visual text screening 2) Online tutorial hour: understanding the documentary genre Online class (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 1) Online Lecture: Arguments that change the world 2) First online tutorial hour and activities. 3) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 1) Online Lecture: Revising and refining your Critical Film Analysis 2) First online tutorial hour and activities. 3) Second online tutorial hour, discussions, practical application, and formative exercises. Online class (3 hr) LO3 LO5 LO1 LO2
Week 13 1) Online lecture: Wrapping up. 2) Final assessment and student support 3) Online tutorial hour 2: Discussions and consultations. Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO1 LO2

Attendance and class requirements

Below are the attendance and class requirements for this unit of study.

R U OK? If not, you should contact the coordinator, frances.dilauro@sydney.edu.au, to adjust these requirements, due dates, etc. This also applies even if you are ok but situations are making it difficult or impossible to meet our requirements.

Attendance: In this fully online unit, attendance is demonstrated by the completion of each part of each module, and completion of each week’s formative tasks. 

  • According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold. As this is a fully online unit, your attendance will be measured by your access to online materials on Canvas, and your engagement with those materials, as well as any compulsory unmarked quizzes, discussion post requirements, or activities associated with the online material. 
  • Lectures and Tutorials: These are delivered to you online through Canvas. ​
  • Preparation: Students should aim to spend approximately three hours of preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled online instruction.

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All reading and resources for this unit can be accessed Online. 

Each week you must read:

  1. One chapter from the online textbook, Bazerman, Charles. 2010. The Informed Writer: Using Sources in the Disciplines. The WAC Clearinghouse. Fort Collins, CO.
  2. Where applicable, an article or chapter from the library e-reserve list.
  3. The critical analysis videos are free on demand and hosted at ABC IVIEW. You will need to register for a free account to access them.
  4. The text set for close reading will either be available through the university's subscription to KANOPY, which is free for you, or through the library's eReadings on our Canvas site, or both.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand rhetoric as the theoretical foundation for persuasive communicative texts
  • LO2. exercise critical judgment in developing an appropriate voice and tone for argumentative communication assignments, considering both written and spoken formats.
  • LO3. analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of audiovisual texts, including spoken language and visual elements.
  • LO4. evaluate your own work and that written by others according to specified criteria to improve not only writing but also critical analysis abilities.
  • LO5. apply concepts, techniques and skills learnt to create effective written and audiovisual argumentative texts.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student feedback on the version of this unit that was taught in 2024, we have reduced the number of assessments. We have also renewed all videos, and set new critical analysis videos and a new text for the close reading assessment.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for students completing this unit.

Work, health and safety

This unit is always taught online.

To help you to protect your wellbeing while primarily learning online, consult the University’s 6 tips to help you study successfully online on this page: (https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/why-choose-sydney/student-life/student-news/2020/06/18/6-tips-to-help-you-study-successfully-online.html)

You will find more useful advice to maximise your success by planning ahead of the semester here https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/why-choose-sydney/student-life/student-news/2019/08/16/how-to-plan-your-semester.html

Study habits are crucial to achieving better results. Read about them here: https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/why-choose-sydney/student-life/student-news/2020/03/11/four-study-habits-for-success.html

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.