Introduction
Introduction
In our age of uncertainty, academic literacy skills are the foundation for success at university, lifelong learning and personal well-being. Commentators especially recognise information and critical thinking skills as crucial competencies for students and graduates entering the workplace. 1
The Business Literacy Skills Pocketbook with a focus on business academic literacy skills aims to help Business students (or any other discipline for that matter) to specifically develop their information skills, business communication skills, critical thinking and referencing skills.
Using engaging interactive tools this open book will help you to understand how to search and evaluate different types of business information and improve your critical thinking skills. The book showcases chapters which will help you to effectively write for business including writing reports, developing presentations, using AI and a section showing how to reference using the WSU Harvard citation style.
Designed to be read fully or in sections relevant to your needs, this book will assist you as a student with having a positive impact on your academic results and future employability.
This book aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education supporting inclusive and affordable access to higher educational resources.
The book was trialed with students in a number of business subjects (Summer 2023 and Autumn 2024) to assist the library team and business educators at Western Sydney University (WSU) provide best practice for embedding and scaffolding literacies skills as part of the new Western Sydney University (WSU) Academic Literacy Strategy.
For any amendments and feedback please get in touch with Paul Jewell, Business Librarian p.jewell@westernsydney.edu.au
1. Business Council of Australia 2016, Being Work Ready: a guide to what employers want. https://www.bca.com.au/being_work_ready_a_guide_to_what_employers_want
Authors
This Open Textbook was developed by the Western Sydney University Library Academic Services team.
Paul Jewell, School Librarian
Karen Sheehy, Research Data Consultant
Todd Hillsley, Academic Services Librarian
