WPBC SYLLABUS

Topics

Explanatory Notes

SECTION A

BASIC CONCEPTS

1.1 Definition of Communication

1.2 The communication process

a. Conception of ideas and a decision to communicated

b. Encoding of messages

c. Transmission of messages

d. Decoding of messages

e. Interpretation of implicit/explicit ideas

f. Feedback

1.3 Communication in business setting

1.4 Media of business communication

2.1 Definition of word processing

2.2 The process of word processing operations

a. Input

b. Process

c. Output

d. Storage

2.3 Description of common devices and their functions in facilitating the word processing process

a. Hardware and software

b. Commonly used word processing software packages

3.1 Contributions of word processing to business communication

3.2 Word processing software packages commonly used in business

3.3 Application of word processing in business communication

3.4 Qualities of word processor users
(e.g. typists, secretaries, clerks, administrators / managers)

a. Knowledge of word processing techniques and the language used in business communication

b. Organisation power

c. Dedication

d. Aesthetic sense

e. Team spirit

f. Safety concern      

4.1 Health and safety concerns

a. Ergonomically designed workplace

i. the hardware

ii. the furniture

iii. the environment

iv. other equipment e.g. screen filter and copy stand

b. Health guide to users e.g. correct posture and rest pauses

c. Proper handling of computer equipment

4.2 Environmental considerations

a. Recycle unwanted printouts

b. Use recycled paper

c. Conserve the use of paper

d. Conserve energy

4.3 Ethical considerations

a. Copyright and piracy

b. Data privacy

c. Computer Virus: prevention, detection and cleaning

Topics

Explanatory Notes

BASIC COMPUTER KEYBOARD MASTERY 

a.  Standard keyboard

b.  Numeric keypad

c.  Cursor control keys

d.  Status indicators

a.  Correct fingering

b.  Striking techniques

Topics

Explanatory Notes

SECTION C

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

1. Types of Business Communication

1.1 Verbal

a. Oral e.g. meetings and telephoning

b. Written e.g. business letters, reports and memoranda

1.2 Non-verbal

a. Body language e.g. eye contact, posture and gesture

b. Voice e.g. rate, volume and pitch

1.3 Visual

a. Pictures e.g. graphs and charts

b. Numbers e.g. tables

a. Clarity, courtesy, conciseness, completeness, concreteness

b. The importance of two-way   communication

3.1 Purpose of the writing

3.2 Intended reader(s) of the writing

3.3 Appropriacy of language and style

4.1 Letters

b. Components

c. Language use

i.   useful expressions

ii.  tone

d. Presentation styles

i.   layout

ii.  punctuation style

iii. importance of consistency

[Notes: a. to d. apply to all the topics listed in 4.1 to 4.4]

4.1.1 Trade enquiries and replies

4.1.2 Sales letters

4.1.3 Letters of complaint and adjustment

4.1.4 Collection letters

4.1.5 Application for employment

4.2 Memoranda

4.3 Meeting documentation

4.3.1 Notice

4.3.2 Agenda

4.3.3 Minutes

4.4 Other business documents

4.4.1 Reports

4.4.2 Forms

4.4.3 Advertisements

Topics

Explanatory Notes

SECTION D

WORD PROCESSING TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS

a. The meaning and the purpose of disk and file management

b. Specify file name, drive and directory/folder

c.  Format and copy a disk (View Demo)

d. Open, move, copy, rename, delete, search and backup a file or a group of files

a.    The components of a word processing software screen

b.    Cursor position and insertion point

c.    Create a document

d.    Input data from handwritten and typewritten drafts

e.    Save a document

f.      Retrieve a document

g.    Document view and zoom modes

h.    Concept of the ‘Wrap’ feature in word processing operations

i.      Page setup specifications e.g. paper size, margins and orientation

a.    The meaning and the purpose of text editing

b.    Insert and overwrite mode

c.    Common text editing utilities e.g. spell check and thesaurus

d.    Editing operations e.g. search, replace, copy, move and delete

e.    Sort text in a specified order

f.     Pagination

g.    Undo and redo edits

h.    Correction signs and abbreviations

a.  Print specifications

b.  Print preview and document modifications for aesthetic appeal

a. The meaning and the purpose of font formatting

b. Font formatting attributes e.g. size, style and colour

a.  The meaning and the purpose of paragraph formatting

b.  Paragraph formatting attributes e.g. alignment, indentation and line spacing

a.  Uses of lists

b.  Create and delete bulleted and numbered lists - single and multi-level

c.  Format lists

a.  Uses of tabs

b.  Set and clear different types of tabs

c.  Format tabs

a.  Uses of tables

b.  Create and delete tables

c.  Insert and delete columns, rows and cells

d.  Select table headings

e.  Split tables

f.   Format tables e.g. border and shade, width and height, and centring a table between margins

a.  Uses of columns

b.  Insert and delete column breaks

c.  Format columns

a.    Uses of page breaks

b.    Different types of page breaks

c.    Insert and delete page breaks

d.    Insert and delete page numbers

e.    Format page numbers

a.  Uses of headers and footers

b.  Insert and delete items of information in headers and footers

a.  Uses of footnotes

b.  Insert and delete footnotes

a.  Uses

b.  Basic techniques in inserting and formatting objects e.g. pictures, charts and text boxes

a.  The concept, uses and applications of mail merge

b.  The process of mail merge

i.    create and edit standard document

ii.   create and edit data file

iii.  insert merge fields into standard document

iv. merge and print documents using selected data from the data file

c. Create and print envelopes and labels