QUESTION 1: MEMORANDUM
Read the scenario and follow the instructions to write a memorandum to all
staff members at Umfolozi
... [Show More] Accountants.
SCENARIO:
Joshua is the CEO of Umfolozi Accountants and he wants to reward his staff
members with a glamorous year-end function. He plans to award several
dedicated staff members, who have gone the extra mile during the year, with
a cash prize to boost company morale. Joshua is also planning
entertainment in the form of music and comedy to ensure a splendid
evening. The chosen venue promises a delightful three-course meal. Joshua
wants to inform his employees of the function to motivate their attendance
as well as gaining input and ideas from staff members.
INSTRUCTIONS:
You are the HR manager at Umfolozi Accountants. The CEO has asked you
to draft a memorandum to all staff members to inform them of the upcoming
year-end function and to motivate them to attend. You should also ask staff
to give suggestions and ideas for the function. Follow the standard format
for structuring an organisational memorandum. The following information
was given to you by the CEO:
• The function will be held at Parys Country Club on 20 November 2021.
• Employees are welcome to bring a plus-one.
• There will be a three-course meal and entertainment for the evening.
Your memorandum should cover the following important aspects:
• Inform staff members of the year-end function.
• Explain the importance of a year-end function for company morale.
• Explain the benefits of attending and motivate staff to attend.
• Persuade colleagues to make suggestions and give ideas.
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Your writing should be
• Persuasive and motivational
• Logical and coherent
• Relevant to the scenario. You are welcome to expand on the ideas
portrayed in the scenario creatively but remain within the context of the
scenario.
Keep the following in mind when answering this question:
Apart from following the instructions and the actual content of your answer,
marks will also be given for the correct formatting conventions that apply to
the memorandum format (From, To, Date and Subject lines). You will also
be graded on the correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation and writing
fluency. Your memorandum should be approximately one page.
[25 marks]
AND
QUESTION 2: STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPs)
SCENARIO:
You have been hired as an HR manager at Abigail Ferreira and Partners, a
leading accounting firm. On your first day of work, the CEO asks you to draw
up a concise list of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all members
of staff in the accounting department to follow regarding safety and security
in the building. Staff members must understand exactly what procedures to
follow in case of an emergency and to avoid security threats.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Write a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all staff members to
follow to avoid security threats and maintain safety in the office building. As
you are writing these instructions for staff members, you need to do the
following:
• Provide an appropriate heading.
• Describe the purpose of this set of SOPs.
• Indicate the affected departments.
• Set out the procedures, wherein you provide 10 SOPs.
• Ensure that you use appropriate imperatives for the instructions in your
document.
• Use a personal tone of address in your writing.
• Ensure that your imperatives are relevant and applicable to the context
and the scenario.
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Keep the following in mind when answering this question:
Apart from following the instructions and the actual content of your answer,
marks will be awarded for the correct formatting conventions (heading and
purpose and procedure) as well as overall formatting, headings and
numbering. You will also be graded on the correct use of spelling and
grammar in your writing.
[25 marks]
AND
QUESTION 3: ESSAY WRITING
SCENARIO:
Suppose that you are preparing for an employment interview with Precious
Pearls, an NGO in New York City. You are applying for the post of public
relations officer, where you will be interacting with various internal and
external stakeholders. Hence, you are required to display strong
interpersonal and other related communication skills when taking up
this position.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Write an essay to discuss your strengths and weaknesses pertaining to your
interpersonal competence skills and how you would present yourself in this
interview. In doing so, you will showcase your talents and motivate your
suitability for this job. Therefore, you should identify your level of selfdisclosure, discuss your style of communication as well as your style of
assertiveness.
Keep the following in mind when answering this question:
Apart from following the instructions, your answer should demonstrate the
following:
• A definition of the concept of self-disclosure and how this impacts your
style of communication.
• An understanding of your style of communication, in other words, what
type of communicator you are.
• An understanding of your level of assertiveness.
• A balance between theory and practical application. In other words,
apply the theory to the scenario and the hypothetical example
provided in this question. Avoid digressing from the context of this
question.
• You will also be graded on the correct use of spelling, grammar,
punctuation and writing fluency.
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• Remember to present your answer in an essay format and provide an
appropriate title for your essay. Your essay should be 400 to 500
words long.
[25 marks]
AND
QUESTION 4: REPORT WRITING (ABRIDGED VERSION)
SCENARIO:
Sasha Lee has been invited to a prestigious event in New York City to
showcase her experiences with the elderly during her travels and present
her radio diary. However, she arrives at the venue at the time stipulated in
the invitation only to find that the hall is locked, and many prominent guests
are anxiously waiting outside. The lighting is rather dim in the passageway
and guests are becoming agitated and start complaining amongst one
another. A few annoyed guests decide to leave and drive away angrily. The
event organiser arrives 15 minutes later, apologises to the guests and
hastily opens the doors. He then politely invites the guests inside. When
Sasha Lee enters the venue, she is awestruck as the venue is huge,
spacious, well-lit and beautifully decorated. Her presentation appears on
large screens positioned strategically across the hall. Guests are treated to
a wonderful reception area with refreshments and finger-snacks. The
atmosphere is very relaxed, and guests mingle cheerfully. The event
organiser, however, notices that approximately a third of his guests are not
present, and mentions this to Sasha Lee, who had planned to publicise her
radio diary at this event. Sasha Lee is extremely perturbed by this turn of
events as many likely sponsors and strategic partners had already left and
she would not be able to fulfil her mandate as a result.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Write and present a formal report outlining the challenges and successes of
the event as described in the scenario. In your report, you need to do the
following:
• Provide an appropriate title for this report.
• Give a short, relevant introd [Show Less]