ELECTRONIC

ASSIGNMENT
COVERSHEET

Student Number 33403322

Surname PAYNE
Given name Matthew
Email payne_matt5000@hotmail.com

Unit Code OBAR100

Unit name Academic Learning Skills
Date 19/03/2018
Assessment name Essay Plan
Tutor Fay Sudweeks

Student’s Declaration:
• Except where indicated, the work I am submitting in this assignment is my own work and
has not been submitted for assessment in another unit.
• This submission complies with Murdoch University's academic integrity commitments. I
am aware that information about plagiarism and associated penalties can be found at
http://www.murdoch.edu.au/teach/plagiarism/. If I have any doubts or queries about
this, I am further aware that I can contact my Unit Coordinator prior to submitting the
assignment.
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o reproduce this assignment and provide a copy to another academic staff member;
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• I have retained a copy of this assignment.
• I will retain a copy of the notification of receipt of this assignment.

I am aware that I am making this declaration by submitting this document electronically and
by using my Murdoch ID and password it is deemed equivalent to executing this declaration
with my written signature.

Optional Comments to Tutor:

OBAR100 Essay Plan Assessment Criteria
Use a linear outline or mind map (see following pages) and
check each criterion in this table.
Essay question: Choose an OBAR100 skill and discuss how it will help you succeed at
university and in your future (or current) career.

Topic: How will Listening help me in my studies/career? 

Structure: Does your plan identify

 The thesis? 
 Key ideas to be addressed in the essay? 
 Links between the key ideas? 

Research: Does your plan

 Indicate research relevant to the topic? 
 Include appropriate types of sources? 

Referencing: Does your plan have

 Quality sources, with at least two from unit readings? X
 A Reference list that conforms to the Chicago or APA style? 

Comments:

I’m having trouble with sources, specifically with the non-unit reading ones. How do I obtain
them and use them in my own research/essay. I can only find abstracts to articles and even
then they are limited in what information I am able to obtain.

Please provide some guidance when you get some time :)

Essay Plan
Introduction:

Context sentence: This essay outlines the key concepts surrounding listening as a
communication skill and their relevance in relation to success at both learning and in a
career in Policing.

Thesis statement: Listening will help me in my studies and career because it is an

essential communication technique, it is vital for information gathering and serves to
promote the emotional well-being of my colleagues.

Main point 1:

Topic sentence (first main point in the thesis statement): Listening is an essential
communication technique and is fundamental to communicating effectively within a
team environment.

Example (one sentence quote or paraphrase with in-text citation): “People spend roughly
60% of their communication time listening” (Treasure, 2011).

Explanation (one sentence to explain the relevance of the quote and

one sentence to link to thesis and next point): This quote from Julian Treasure perfectly
sums up the importance placed on ‘listening’ as a communication skill.

Main point 1 (cont):

Topic sentence (cont): Listening has even been identified to not only be essential to
good communication but also more important than speaking itself.

Example (cont): Kacperck (2014) suggested that people respond more positively to quiet
almost silent communication. She further identified that the skilled use of non-verbal
communication through expressive body language went further and even facilitated active
listening itself.

Explanation (cont): Establishing that listening is vital to communicate effectively it can

then be said that gathering information through communication requires one to
effectively listen.

Main point 2 (you may need more main points):

Topic sentence (second main point in the thesis statement): Listening is vital for
information gathering, specifically where information needs to be gathered and
assessed through verbal communication.
Example (one sentence quote or paraphrase with in-text citation): “By listening, I don’t
mean merely hearing what is said. I mean a deeper listening, a thoughtful listening” (Schell,
2008).

Explanation (one sentence to explain the relevance of the quote and

one sentence to link to thesis and next point): Actively listening to gather information is
vital especially in an online learning environment where information may be provided
through audio presentations. Listening as a communication skill also translates over to the
internal communication with your team or colleagues as well.

Main point 3 (you may need more main points):

Topic sentence (third main point in the thesis statement): Listening effectively serves
to promote the emotional well-being of my colleagues.

Example (one sentence quote or paraphrase with in-text citation): “Positive emotions
trigger upward spirals in emotional well-being” (Frederickson & Joiner, 2002).

Explanation (one sentence to explain the relevance of the quote and

one sentence to link to thesis and next point): Communicating effectively using listening
skills increase the positive influences you will have with those you converse with such as
your colleagues.

Topic Sentence (cont): In addition to assisting communication itself, listening to a colleague

or friend promotes further communication.

Example (cont): Mallinger, J, Griggs, J & Shields. (2006) identified that communicating with
others, especially after a traumatic event, facilitated positive emotional adjustment and
meaning-finding.

Explanation (cont): This indicates that through good and active listening you promote
communication which in turn can increase the emotional well-being of whom you are
communicating with.

Conclusion:

Thesis restated: Listening helps me in my studies and in my career as it is an essential

communication technique, vital for information gathering and promotes the emotional
well-being of my colleagues.

Main points summarised (one sentence): Listening is an essential communication

technique, vital for verbal information gathering and promotes the emotional well-
being of my colleagues through effective communication.
Conclusion (one sentence final comment): Although listening skills are becoming viewed as
less and less important in the modern era due to technological advances, they still remain
an integral part of any communication.

References:
(Include a minimum of 4 quality sources including 2 from the unit readings.)

 Schell, J. (2008). In the beginning, there is the designer. In The art of game
design: A book of lenses (pp. 1-7). Burlington, MA: Taylor & Francis.

 Treasure, Julian. 2011. "5 Ways to Listen Better." YouTube video, 07:50, July.

 Frederickson, B & Joiner, T (2002) Positive Emotions Trigger Upward Spirals

Toward Emotional Well-Being (pp 172-175)

 Kacperck, L. (2014). British Journal of Nursing | Vol. 6 | No. 5 | pp 275–279

 Mallinger, J, Griggs, J & Shields. (2006) European Journal of Cancer Care | Vol.
15 | Issue. 4 | pp 355-361