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PWR611S - PROFESSIONAL WRITING - 1ST OPP - JUNE 2022 |
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n Am I BI A u n IVER s I TY
OF SCIEnCE
TECHnOLOGY
FACULTY OF HUMAN SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (DTVET)
COURSE CODE: PWR611S
COURSE NAME: PROFESSIONAL WRITING
DATE: JUNE 2022
DURATION: 3 HOURS
MODE: FM & PM
MARKS: 100
EXAMINER:
FIRST OPPORTUNITY QUESTION PAPER
DR T.H.N FRANS
MODERATOR: MS KAROLINE DU PLESSIS
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Write clearly and neatly.
3. Number the answers clearly.
PERMISSIBLE MATERIALS
1. Examination paper
2. Examination script
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SECTION A: GENERAL QUESTIONS
[10)
Answer the following questions
Question 1
1.1. On the company's letter head, there is useful information about how the company can be
contacted. Name any three elements of such information.
(3)
1.2. In your own words, explain what fully blocked format means and give one reason why this
format is preferred over business letter formats.
(2)
1.3. Name three steps of the writing process.
(3)
1.4. Explain what discriminatory language mean.
(1)
1.5. Which voice should you use in business writing correspondence?
(1)
SECTION B
QUESTION 2
[30)
Read the following article. After the company has explored all the avenues, it came to the final
decision that a number of employees must be retrenched. Now, write a Bad News letter to one of
your employees to be retrenched.
SABS 'contemplates' 170 retrenchments to save R150m
By: Eunice Stoltz 12 Apr 2021
Edited
The embattled South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)plans to retrench 170 employees in a RlS0-
million cost-saving endeavour. The SABSwas placed under administration by the department of trade,
industry and competition in October 2018, and has since then implemented a three-year turnaround
strategy. But the financial state of the institution has continued to deteriorate. Jodi Scholtz, the lead
administrator in the turnaround strategy, told parliament's committee on trade and industry on 17
March, that the SABSgroup recorded a year-end loss of R74-million in 2020. The institution did not
achieve its revenue targets and is below budget by R26-million.
"While there is progress in many areas of the business, the compensation of employees remain the
highest cost item, sitting at 65% of the total operating expenditure. The decline in revenue due to loss
of customers has further been exacerbated by the impact of Covid-19, rendering it unsustainable to
carry the labour costs as currently structured," said Scholtz.
A notice sent out to staff on 11 March reads that the SABS "is currently contemplating reducing its
headcount based on operational requirements (retrenchments). As such we would like to commence
with the consultation process in terms of section 189 (3) of the Labour Relations Act." According to
the notice, "there is a need to restructure in order to ensure efficient and effective operations of its
business, and in so doing, achieve revenue growth and reduction in operating expenditure." In
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accordance with the Act, the SABSand the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration
held discussions on 8 April to appoint a facilitator who will lead the consultation process.
The SABS has 832 employees. Consultations with staff members are yet to begin and will explore
alternatives to retrenchment. Employees will also be able to choose early retirements or voluntary
separation packages.
SECTION C: REPORT WRITING
[40)
QUESTION 3
Readthe adapted newspaper report below (The Namibian, 7 April 2022) and then answer the
questions that follow.
The Minister, in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, is concerned
about the unending severe droughts, floods and changes to the farming seasons in the country. He
asked you, the Executive Director in the Ministry, Teofilus Nghitila, to investigate the impact of climate
change which will lead to a reduction in production output in Namibia. The report will be used during
the launch of the European Union (EU) action plan on climate change on the 22 May 2022 in
Windhoek.
Govt warns of more drought, farming impacts
News - National I2022-04-07
by ShelleyganPetersen
IMl',\\CTS ... N,1mibia re1m1ins vulnerabk to the impa<.:tsol"<.:limate <.:hange.
AFTER almost seven years of drought, the government foresees more severe droughts, floods and
changes to the farming seasons.
This was said by the Executive Director in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism,
Teofilus Nghitila. He further mentioned that "This will cause more frequent and longer droughts,
more heatwaves, more frequent and severe veld fires and even increased flooding, as rain patterns
change".
"This phenomenon has been the case in Namibia. Last year alone, we witnessed many veld fires in
the country that really devastated farmlands in the central area of Namibia," he warned.
Nghitila said these changes are due to global warming, with experts predicting Namibian
temperatures to increase by 2,7 degrees Celsius in the next two decades, and annual precipitation to
decrease by 7%. "Namibia has been vulnerable in terms of climate change impact. This will lead to a
reduction in production output," he said. Since 2015, the country has been facing severe droughts,
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which resulted in the head of state declaring the natural disaster a national state of emergency.
Between October 2018 and August 2020, 90 000 cattle died because of the drought, 50% of them
from one region - Kunene. To salvage the damage, the government spent about N$131 million on
drought relief in 2019. During that same period, Namibia experienced its driest rainfall season in 38
years, resulting in a severe drought. The drought resulted in diminished crop production, estimated
at 42% below average in many areas, and left 257 383 people without adequate food, according to
various United Nations agency reports. To remedy Kunene's drought woes, the government made
N$21 million available to the region for the provision of water.
Sixteen boreholes have been drilled, 19 water points have been set up, and 18 boreholes have been
rehabilitated. Last month, the Cabinet introduced food assistance for affected Kunene residents as
well as water services and a livestock programme. The Kunene region received 69 988 x 10kg bags of
maize meal, 269 212 cans of tinned fish, 39 wildlife carcasses, cooking oil, instant porridge, and bales
of hay.
MITIGATION MEASURES
UN Namibia said drought events between 2013 and 2016 have affected about 450 000 people and
caused massive food insecurity. In 2019, the annual agricultural output in Namibia and Botswana fell
below 50% of the five-year average, and lower than 40% in Zimbabwe. Nghitila further said
Namibia's legal framework on climate change is progressive and strong enough to support and allow
for finding solutions to address climate change. The executive director believes their current efforts
will stabilise the situation in the future with the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) at the
forefront.
"When we are talking about the mitigation and adaptation of climate change measures, we are
looking for activities that have tangible impacts. We believe with support and dedication from EIF,
we can reduce greenhouse emissions in Namibia," Nghitila explained.
EFFORTS
EU ambassador Sinikka Antila said this project is part of the action to support Namibia's efforts in
achieving its national determined contributions (NDCs). "The country's recently (2021) updated
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NDCs,in which it made aggressive proposals to reduce up to 91% of its emissions by 2030, as
compared to the already ambitious 89% greenhouse gas (GHGs)emission targets committed in 2015
are highly commendable," he said. The updated NDCsindicate an improvement in the commitment
of Namibia's devotion to meeting the Paris Agreement goal and following the road to net zero, she
added.
The ambassador said the launch of the EUAction on the support to Namibia's NDCsis part of this
effort. "It is very important and encouraging that Namibia remains resolutely committed to the Paris
Agreement, and to taking practical and ambitious action to reduce emissions and ensure a climate-
resilient economy. "Namibia's mitigation commitment is in the form of a decrease in GHG emissions
compared to the business-as-usual baseline over the 2015-2030 period," she said.
INSTRUCTIONSFORANSWERINGTHIS QUESTION
1. You may use relevant information from the article and invent any detail required, but you
may not copy whole sentences from the article.
2. Write ONLY the following sections of the report
• The identification section
• The terms of reference section
• The procedures section (give 2 methods used)
• The conclusion section (provide at least 3 practical recommendations)
• Your signature and the completion date
• DO NOT WRITE THE FINDINGS SECTION
• Number of words: 400
SECTION D
Question 4: Business Proposals
[20]
4.1 Inyourown words,definewhat a businessproposails.
(2)
4.2Distinguishthe difference between a solicited and an unsolicited proposal.
(4)
4.3 An informal proposal comprises six sections. State three aspects that should be written in the
Authorisation request section of the proposal.
(3)
4.4 Provide three key elements of a winning proposal.
(3)
4.5 What is the main function of a business proposal?
(1)
4.6 Mention any four tips that should be considered about the tone and style of business
proposals.
(4)
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4.7 Suggest any three ideas that can be used as hooks in informal business proposal letters (3)
END OF THEEXAMPAPER