EN218 Spring 2013 Syllabus

7/30/2019 EN218 Spring 2013 Syllabus

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English 218.OL1 RW

Business Writing

Spring 2013

Instructor: Professor Laura Fitzwater ([email protected]) Class Meeting:

Librarian: Larissa Gordon ([email protected]) Online

Phone: 267-620-4008Office: Room 227 Taylor

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment; Online as needed

Required Text:Business Communication: Process and Product, 7

thed., Guffey and Loewy

Recommended Text:Any college handbook, such asLB BrieforLittle Brown

Required Technology:Access to the internet

Flashdrive (for saving work)

Course Description:Business writing has been defined as writing that people have to read, as opposed to literature,

which people presumably read for pleasure. What differentiates one definition of businesswriting from another is the purpose of the writer: for whom and for what purpose is the writing

intended? For purposes of this course, the term business writing refers to that mode ofcommunication appropriate to business, industry, and academic writing.

This course is designed to meet the needs of people in business and industry and of students who

anticipate a career in business. Writing assignments will include e-mails, letters, memos,

proposals, reports, and team assignments. Students will also receive instruction in the methods of

research writing. Students will be assigned numerous writing exercises, some for grades but allfor insight. You will learn effective library, database, and internet research methods. The course

will require the writing of group assignments, a team presentation, and an individual proposal.

Course Goals:Major aims of this course are to help you improve your thinking and writing, to analyze the

purpose of your writing and the needs of your audience, to learn organizational and planning

skills necessary to do technical writing, to learn research-based writing skills, and to write papers

utilizing sources, both primary and secondary, in addition to the self. To that end we will work on

reading, synthesizing, researching, and using rhetorical skills. Students who satisfactorily

complete English 218 will be able to work effectively in teams, and will be able to write letters,

proposals, reports, business plans, and research-based papers appropriate to general business use.

Course Requirements:There will be weekly writing assignments, a team assignment with an oral report, an individual

proposal, and a final exam. We will also use Forums for further discussion during the semester.

The team report will be based on sources and must include citations in appropriate format (APA).

Your Arcadia e-mail account, knowledge of Blackboard, and access to the Internet are essential

for course communication. If you have computer trouble, you can access the internet via the

school's computers or from your local public library. Please contact me if you should have any

trouble that prevent you from accessing our class.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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All chapters assigned in the syllabus are to be read before completing your written assignments.

Syllabus dates are subject to change, and I will let you know of any changes as we go along.

*We will meet at Arcadia for one class session in late March so that your teams may present your

team business plans. I will explain this further on the Business Plan Handout.

Grading:Assignments turned in late will be penalized; however, all assignments must be completed and

turned in for a passing grade in the course. With my permission, assignments with a grade of

C or lower may be revised for a better grade. However, they must have been turned in on time,

and must be revised within one week of the date they are returned. Assignments are due on

Friday at 11:59 p.m. each week unless otherwise noted. Please place your homework in the drop

box on our class site.

A portion of your grade will be based on your contribution to the group dynamic: this includes

timeliness in turning in assignments, activity in discussion boards, teamwork, and a willingness to

work within the community of the course. Collaborative (team) writing is an important part of

writing in todays workplace, and you will be expected to workwell with your classmates in

small groups.

Save a copy of everything you do and back that up for good measure. I am not responsible for

lost material. Please use a storage devise (flash drive) to save all of your material.

Grading Breakdown:Homework Assignments 20%

Team Assignment 20%

Oral Presentation 15%

Teams Individual Assessment 10%Proposal 20%

Final Exam 15%

Attendance:Attendance in an online class carries a different meaning that traditional attendance. In this class,

attendance is indicated by attending all synchronous discussions, contributing to the Forums, and

turning in homework on time. Students cannot miss weekly deadlines. If a problem occurs,

please email me and we can attempt to work something out.

Withdrawals and Incompletes:If you are thinking about withdrawing from the course, please speak with me first. However, it is

your responsibility to manage your registration, so please watch the deadlines and keep track of

our progress in the course: I usually will not withdraw students who stop attending or dont

complete assignments, although I reserve the right to do so. No grade of Incomplete will be givenunless all the assignments up to the date of your request have been completed, and then only if a

written request demonstrating good cause is made.

Plagiarism:Plagiarism, the passing of work not your own, is against college policy as well as my own.

Anyone caught plagiarizing or cheating will fail the course. Your writing is distinctive, and can

be recognized by its style; using other peoples writing, ideas, or editing will result in a grade of Ffor the course.


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One of the purposes of this course is to teach you how to write using sources outside of yourself,

and how to correctly acknowledge those sources. As you learn to give credit where credit is due,

you will contribute to the communication not only of information but also of knowledge in the

world. Enabling others to find what you found where you found it and to build on it is a crucial

part of that process. Collaborative research and writing is not plagiarizing; crediting your sources

is fundamental to academic and personal integrity.

Writing CenterThe Writing Center, located in Room 206 Taylor Hall, is available to all students. If you

are having trouble with anything from developing ideas to fixing certain recurringgrammar issues, schedule a visit with a Writing Center staff member. They are eager to

help! Give them a call at 215-572-4051 or just stop in.

General Tips for Online Courses-Set up a schedule to complete the assignments and stick to it. Set aside 5 hours each

week for the first few weeks and adjust the time accordingly.-Stay in touch with your team members. Communication is the key to success in business

and business writing.

-Ask if you have any questions. I will get back to you usually in less than twelve hours.

-Email me with any problems that come up. I cannot help if I don't know a problemexists.

-Get your assignments in on time. If you begin the semester behind, it will be hard to

catch up.

-Have a friend ask about your work every week. It can be difficult to stick with a classwhen the professor is not present. Discipline is key. A friend reminding you to do the

work could be helpful.

-Use technology to help you stay on track. Schedule your work times into your phone anddon't disregard those reminders!


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Syllabus

English 218.OL1

Week 1 Read the course syllabus (Course Information tab); Click on "Unit 1" and read

Jan. 17 each section: Introduction, Assignments; Listen to explanation of Discussion

Boards. Complete all Assignments under "Unit 1 Assignments" tab by Friday at

11:59 p.m. Due date: 1/18

Week 2 Chapter 2 (Professionalism); complete the Assignments in Unit 2.

Due date: 1/25

Week 3 Chapter 4 (Planning Business Messages); Complete the Assignments in Unit 3.

Due date: 2/1

Week 4 Read Chapter 5 (Organizing and Writing ); Complete the Assignments in Unit 4.

Due date: 2/8

Week 5 Read Chapter 6 (Revision); Complete the Assignments in Unit 5.

Due date: 2/15

Week 6 Read Chapter 7 (Electronic Messages and Digital Media); Complete the

Assignments in Unit 6. Due date: 2/22

Week 7 Read Chapter 8 (Positive Messages); Complete the Assignments in Unit 7.

Due date: 3/1

Week 8 Read Chapter 11 (Report and Research Basics); Complete the Assignments in

Unit 8. Due date: 3/8

Spring Break 3/10-17

Week 9 Read Chapter 12 (Informal Reports); Complete the Assignments in Unit 9.

Due date: 3/22

Week 10 Read Chapter 14 (Business Presentations); Complete the Assignments in Unit 10.

Due date: 3/29

Week 11 Business Plan presentations; Business plans due. Read Chapter 13 (Proposals,

Plans, and Formal Reports); Complete the Assignments in Unit 11.

Due date: 4/5

Week 12 Read Chapter 10 (Persuasive Messages); Proposal handout; Complete the

Assignments in Unit 12. Due date: 4/12

Week 13 Read Chapter 9 (Negative Messages); Complete the Assignments in Unit 13.

Due date: 4/19

Week 14 Proposal Due; Complete the Assignments in Unit 14. Wimba for Final Exam

questions. Due date: 4/27

Week 15 Final Exam. See the class site for details on taking and turning in the exam.

Documents

EN218 Spring 2013 Syllabus