Dear Students,

In order to do well in assignment 1, please read each question carefully (have a look at the breakdown of mark allocation) and make sure you read the article provided.

Here are some additional pointers:

Question 1: Report Writing

  • You should base your report on the newspaper article of prof Jonathan Jansen. He describes student protests in the article. You do not have to conduct any research; you base your findings, conclusions and recommendations on the information in the article as well as the question posed to you. (It is hypothetical)
  • The end of question 1 states the following:

"Hence, you should include somedetails on student protestsand how these protests can beavoided. The protests were over two student demands: one forbetter residencesand the other forfinancial aidfrom the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NASFAS). Students marched across the campus,damaging propertyandintimidating other students. There waschanting, classes weredisruptedandbins and bencheswere overturned."

  • This description gives you an indication of what to include in your findings. Then the conclusions are based on those findings and the recommendations based on the conclusions made.
  • Make sure that your findings are extracted from the article and are relevant (specifically on student protests), your conclusions must be directly and logically linked to the findings and your recommendations must be directly linked to your conclusions.
  • Additionally please have a look at pages 93-95 in your prescribed textbook.

Question 2: Descriptive essay

  • Your essay should be descriptive
  • Your essay should be structured in an essay format (intro, body etc.)
  • Your essay should include a discussion of Prof Jansen’s argument
  • Your essay should discuss how a University environment may influence cultural diversity and gender equality in South Africa (positively or negatively)
  • Additionally you should highlight some points on culture and gender differences and how these may influence the communication processes in our society
  • You should include evidence of brainstorming

Question 3: Business letter

  • Have a look at pages 77-83 in your prescribed textbook on the correct format and stylistic requirement for a business letter, using the UK block format
  • Clarify reason for writing letter
  • Challenge the pre-conceived perceptions of the youth and tertiary education that Professor Jonathan Jansen, the vice-chancellor of the University of the Free State, holds.
  • Provide clear arguments and information using theories such as self-fulfilling prophecies etc. to back up argument