AS Communication Studies Coursework

During your AS in Communication Studies you will be expected to complete 4 pieces related pieces of coursework in the form of a project. This section of the course is known as CMS1. Each piece is awarded a separate level and mark. The four marks are then added together to produce a total out of 120. The levels can be translated approximatedly into grades. The short table below should make this clearer.

Level 5 A
Level 4 B
Level 3 C
Level 2 D
Level 1 E and below

At Campion, we would expect our students to be in the A-C range. Most students will secure either a Level 4 (B) or Level 5 (A) if they work hard and keep detailed organised notes.

According to the exam board, you should consider the following criteria as being relevant to your coursework units:

• knowledge and understanding of personal communication skills

• perspectives and techniques of communication
• study skills of investigation and research

• note-making and oral presentation scripting, including consideration of concepts of audience, register and code

• exploration of the conventions and uses of various presentational media that might be used in a presentation

• both verbal and non-verbal skills appropriate to a range of presentational situations

• practical skills in making an oral presentation

• skills of review and self assessment.

The criteria highlighted in bold indicates aspects of the coursework that students tend not to cover in sufficient detail.

The sections of the project are broken down as follows:

1. Investigation

Candidates are required to select an appropriate area for research into a personal communication skill. This area will then be investigated through academic study (secondary research) and practical observation (primary research). The information acquired will be used to produce a concise essay of between 500 and 1000 words.

Click on this link to download the Investigation Writing Frame. This document has been designed to allow you to maximise your marks and guide you through this stage of your coursework.

In addition, the hyperlink below will help you find a Level 5 Investigation, or an A grade, produced by a past student that is well written and shows a clear integration of theory (secondary research/reading) and practical investigation (primary research/observations). This piece of work has been added to this site to allow students to see what a L5 Investigation looks and sounds like; it is not to be copied directly.

The file you need to download is called: investigationexemplarppt.pdf. and appears towards the bottom of the 'downloads' page.

2. Preparation

Essentially this section of your coursework requires you to produce a body of evidence that demonstrates that you have fully planned and structured the 'presentation' phase of your project. You will be expected to develop and show evidence of designing, producing and using notes, scripts, flashcards, audio aids, human aids, visual aids and any other material which could be used to enrich or facilitate the delivery of your presentation. It is expected that you will make some use of ICT to enhance your personal communication skills.

3. Presentation

You will have to deliver a 10 minute presentation of your research and findings to a small group of students + one or more examiners using the skills and aids you have planned and designed in your 'preparation' phase. Immediately after your presentation, your audience and examiners will be given an opportunity to question you on your research. You will be questioned so make sure you have prepared thoroughly and considered what questions someone might ask you.

4. Review

The 'review' is a thorough written evaluation of your 'presentation'. It is important that you understand that you are not evaluating your entire project (all four sections). The word limit for the 'review' is 500-1000 words.