Assessor Resource

DEFGEN019
Write material suitable for publication within Defence

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills required to write news features or other journalistic material for Defence publications. In the most part, information for a Defence publication will come from within the organisation. In some cases however, material will be provided from external sources. News features and other material will generally be published in services newspapers, magazines and on internet sites.

This unit was developed for Defence reporters, but is applicable to anyone working in this field.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would mainly work independently, seeking assistance from superiors when needed. They would perform complex tasks in known contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Draft the story

1.1 Identify key story points and reader specific angles.

1.2 Determine appropriate style and maintain throughout the copy.

1.3 Structure draft story and attribute quotes.

1.4 Comply with organisation’s style manual and meet the needs of target audiences when drafting the story.

2. File the story for publication

2.1 Identify, and factor into planning, public affairs objectives/constraints and client needs.

2.2 Clear the story with the subject as appropriate.

2.3 Submit story for proofreading and clearance by the senior reporter and amend accordingly.

2.4 File story after being assessed as publication quality.

2.5 Recognise and meet deadlines.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

using appropriate information technology and software

producing stories that are accurate, with minimal possibility of misinterpretation

producing stories that conform to government and Defence policies

demonstrating an awareness of current affairs and Defence issues

applying communications ethics that are relevant to the audience and organisation

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

various types and styles of stories used in Defence publications

content of the style manual that is relevant to Defence publications

proofreading and clearance procedures

standard newspaper proofing symbols

implications of security, privacy and libel provisions

Defence public information and security policies

types of stories

constraints on using information

Defence issues

current affairs issues

a variety of writing genres

standard operating procedures of relevant public affairs organisations which influence parent organisation

ADF public affairs objectives and the characteristics of Defence public affairs organisations

relevant legislation

Defence News Editorial Board guidelines

Australian Journalists Association Code of Ethics

when to check, verify and attribute information

Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Draft the story

1.1 Identify key story points and reader specific angles.

1.2 Determine appropriate style and maintain throughout the copy.

1.3 Structure draft story and attribute quotes.

1.4 Comply with organisation’s style manual and meet the needs of target audiences when drafting the story.

2. File the story for publication

2.1 Identify, and factor into planning, public affairs objectives/constraints and client needs.

2.2 Clear the story with the subject as appropriate.

2.3 Submit story for proofreading and clearance by the senior reporter and amend accordingly.

2.4 File story after being assessed as publication quality.

2.5 Recognise and meet deadlines.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

using appropriate information technology and software

producing stories that are accurate, with minimal possibility of misinterpretation

producing stories that conform to government and Defence policies

demonstrating an awareness of current affairs and Defence issues

applying communications ethics that are relevant to the audience and organisation

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

various types and styles of stories used in Defence publications

content of the style manual that is relevant to Defence publications

proofreading and clearance procedures

standard newspaper proofing symbols

implications of security, privacy and libel provisions

Defence public information and security policies

types of stories

constraints on using information

Defence issues

current affairs issues

a variety of writing genres

standard operating procedures of relevant public affairs organisations which influence parent organisation

ADF public affairs objectives and the characteristics of Defence public affairs organisations

relevant legislation

Defence News Editorial Board guidelines

Australian Journalists Association Code of Ethics

when to check, verify and attribute information

Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify key story points and reader specific angles. 
Determine appropriate style and maintain throughout the copy. 
Structure draft story and attribute quotes. 
Comply with organisation’s style manual and meet the needs of target audiences when drafting the story. 
Identify, and factor into planning, public affairs objectives/constraints and client needs. 
Clear the story with the subject as appropriate. 
Submit story for proofreading and clearance by the senior reporter and amend accordingly. 
File story after being assessed as publication quality. 
Recognise and meet deadlines. 
Identify key story points and reader specific angles. 
Determine appropriate style and maintain throughout the copy. 
Structure draft story and attribute quotes. 
Comply with organisation’s style manual and meet the needs of target audiences when drafting the story. 
Identify, and factor into planning, public affairs objectives/constraints and client needs. 
Clear the story with the subject as appropriate. 
Submit story for proofreading and clearance by the senior reporter and amend accordingly. 
File story after being assessed as publication quality. 
Recognise and meet deadlines. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFGEN019 - Write material suitable for publication within Defence
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

DEFGEN019 - Write material suitable for publication within Defence

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: