Introduction
Executives, managers, and staff have an opportunity through clear,
concise and coherent writing to create shared understanding, maintain
healthy and productive business relationships, build credibility with
clients, and produce desired business outcomes. Because writing is
a craft, it can be managed with a positive attitude, a willingness
to place the audience and its needs in the forefront, and a commitment
to editing for clarity of language and purpose. You will see that
you can use writing as a strong business ally and a key to relationship
building with your clients, peers and others.
Course Goals
This course is intended to:
1) Provide you with a model for strategic thinking,
2) Increase your appreciation of audiences,
3) Improve your writing and expression of ideas,
4) Increase your vocabulary, and
5) Reduce your fear of writing and presenting while increasing your
ability to achieve your objectives.
Overview
Class time is more productive and enjoyable when all participate.
Therefore, class participation will be recorded and applied to grading.
The majority of class time, however, will be devoted to writing
and re-writing. We will write much and edit much. Out-of-class assignments
will include vocabulary development, grammar review, related readings
and, of course, writing. Writing and re-writing, together with the
readings of good authors, are the best ways to improve writing.
Text
Business English, latest edition, Geffner, Barrons (optional)
Attendance and Other Matters
Attendance is mandatory. If you miss class, your grade
will be lowered (legitimate excuses will be considered). All assignments
must be typed with the author's name on all pages and may be sent
to the instructor by e-mail and attached Word documents or pdf's.
Laptop computers may be used for note taking; please limit cell
phone usage to emergencies. Plagiarism, as defined by the university,
will not be tolerated. We will discuss this at length in class.
Course Schedule (subject to modification)
Class 1 :
Introductions; review of syllabus; discussion of importance of communication,
good writing and strong vocabulary. Assignment -"Warm up" writing
Class 2 :
Review of assignments; discussion of persuasion; review of strategic
thinking models; discussion of audience needs; discussion of etymology
and grammar. Assignment - Business Recommendation.
Class 3 : Review
of assignments; discussion of organizational power; discussion of
layoff and corporate communication; vocabulary and grammar review;
memo formatting, role play. Assignment - Memo writing.
Class 4 : Review of
assignments; vocabulary and grammar review; and review of executive
expectation, agenda setting and meeting preparation. Assignment
- Memo Writing.
Class 5 :
Review of assignments; vocabulary and grammar review; review of
E-Mail and its uses. Assignment - E-Mail writing #1.
Class 6 : Review of
assignments; vocabulary and grammar review; employee disciplining
and related communication; role play. Assignment - E-Mail writing
#2.
Class 7 : Review of
assignment; vocabulary review; customer communication. Assignment
- Letter writing.
Class 8 :
Review of assignments; vocabulary review; policy writing; communicating
price increases and apologies for service failures. Assignment -
Policy writing or letter writing.
Class 9 : Review of
assignments; vocabulary and grammar review; direct mail; crisis
management and communication; role play. Assignment - Writing a
crisis abstract and plan.
Class 10 : Review
of assignments; vocabulary and grammar review, cover letters and
resumes. Assignment - RFP or grant writing.
Comment
Styles to be Avoided : Academic, Bureaucratic and Legalistic
Style to be Adopted : Clear, Concise, Coherent, Conversational
Grammar to be Discussed : Action Verbs, Active Voice, Character
as Subject, Modifiers, Parallel Structure, Pronoun Reference, Nominalization,
coherence, transition, noun clusters, others.
Management Topics to be Discussed
Leadership, Lay-off, Employee Evaluation, Crisis Management, Marketing,
Fund Raising, Employee Discipline, Policy Writing, Resume
and Cover Letter writing, and others, as appropriate.
Grading
Essay(10), Memo(10), E-Mail #1(10), E-Mail #1(10), Letter(10), Policy(10),
Abstract(10), Proposal(20), Participation(10) = Total : 100 |
Writing
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