Business writing

Course Description:

Using audience analysis, a writing process and grammatical and formatting skills in an electronic environment, students write letters and messages for both internal and external business situations; they conduct business research and write and document short, informal research business reports, incorporating graphics and oral presentation.

Grade of 75% or higher.

Assessment Method: Performance appraisals Performance Criteria:

Grade of 70% or higher based on the English Department's Grading Standards.

Course Title: Course Number: Credit Hours:
Lab Hours: Prerequisite(s): Course Description:

Required Text:

Required Materials: Technical Requirements:

Business Writing ENG 1131
3
None

DEV0032 or other placement test score

Using audience analysis, a writing process and grammatical and formatting skills in an electronic environment, students write letters and messages for both internal and external business situations; they conduct business research and write and document short, informal research business reports, incorporating graphics and oral presentations.

Your ENG1131 textbook is available at the Sinclair Community College bookstore, building 7 on Sinclair’s campus. It is your responsibility to get the textbook and complete the assignments from the book by the due dates. If you have difficulties getting the textbook, you may borrow it for up to two hour use in the Sinclair library.
High speed internet access is highly recommended.
Computer Requirements and Technical Support

You should have basic computer skills such as opening programs, using the mouse, using the Internet and email, attaching files, basic word processing, and saving files. Save your documents as Microsoft Word files (.doc or .docx), or rich text format files (.rtf). YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR ANY WORK POSTED IN ANY OTHER FORMAT. Files that end with .wps, .wpd, or .pages may not open on some computers. For your browser, elearn supports Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Google Chrome.

It is your responsibility to have the right equipment and software to gain access to the class and submit assignments. If you have equipment or software malfunctions that are NOT the fault of Sinclair, you must make other arrangements for your assignments in order to complete them by the due dates. The Sinclair campus has computers available for you to use seven days a week, with morning, afternoon, and evening hours. If your home computer becomes inoperable, you will still need to complete the work on time and to save it in the correct format. Your local library is another resource if you have computer issues.

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10/17/2017 Course Syllabus

General Education Outcomes:

Fill in general education outcomes from the Master Syllabus.

Apply the stages of the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising and editing) to a document. Integrate sources.
Raise relevant questions.
Articulate ideas or problems.

Use appropriate problem­solving methods.
Utilize internet applications.
Utilize word processing applications.
Access information using library resources, electronic resources and/or field resources. Analyze information.

Evaluate information.
Organize information systematically and appropriately.
Use information legally.
Organize ideas in a logical and purposeful way, using effective verbal and nonverbal skills to explain those ideas in a variety of oral communication interactions.
Compose and deliver oral messages appropriate to an intended audience.
Display behavior consistent with the ethical standards within a discipline or profession.
Acknowledge diverse opinions, cultural and individual differences in communication interactions.
Utilize operating system software and data management skills.
Exhibit openness to alternative ideas.

Master syllabus last revised, August 2012.

Course Outcomes:

Think, read and write critically: locate, analyze, evaluate, and ethically use researched materials to develop and write informal business reports. Performance method is locally developed exams and performance appraisal with a grade of 70% or higher.
Knowledge of conventions: Plan, edit, and revise written work consistent with professional standards, employing appropriate conventions of syntax, grammar, punctuation, and documentation. Performance method is locally developed exams and performance appraisal with a grade of 70% or higher.

Oral communication: design and present oral communications appropriate for a professional business situation. Performance method is performance appraisal with a grade of 70% or higher based on the General Education rubric for assessing oral communication.
Appropriate formats for professional writing: demonstrate audience awareness across cultures to select and use appropriate formats for business writing, including internal and external messages and informal business reports. Performance method is locally developed exams and performance appraisal with a grade of 70% or higher.

Composing process: understand and use a recursive writing process to employ situation­appropriate writing strategies and produce successive drafts of increasing quality. Performance method is performance appraisal with a grade of 70% or higher.
Electronic environments: use electronic environments to compose business messages and to research, compose, design, and present informal business reports, integrating graphic aids. Performance method is locally developed exams and performance appraisal with a grade of 70% or higher.

The information sheet "When Assignments are Due" provides information on weekly topics, textbook readings/reviews, assignments, grading points, and due dates. Please refer to the weekly "Lessons" pages for a thorough discussion of the requirements for each week.

Textbook­­Some assignments during the first week do not require the textbook, but starting with the 2nd week, all assignments do. Most of the information and assignments in this course rely on the textbook.

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10/17/2017 Course Syllabus

Assignments­­You need to complete 4­6 assignments each week: discussion forums, drop box assignments, and quizzes or exams. Six discussion forums are for peer reviews of business documents you are writing and these have earlier deadline. Always complete the assignments in this order: discussion first, drop box assignment second, and quiz last.
 Deadlines­­The typical deadline days each week are Thursday and Sunday. If you miss a deadline, you can still submit the assignment and get partial credit of up to 80%.
Grading­­To pass this class with a C, you must earn an overall percentage of 70% based on the course weights: 80% for business documents, 10% for discussions, and 10% for tests and quizzes. If you are falling behind, get the business document assignments done first such as final letters, memos, and reports before moving on to lower weighted assignments.
Course Outline­­The course outline found in "When Assignments Are Due" may be adjusted by the instructor depending on the needs of the class.
Calendar/Days Off­­This is an online course so holidays have no affect on the workload. If you are going on vacation, do assignments early or make arrangements with your instructor. If you are ill or some how incapitated in some way, contact your instructor.

Outline:

WEEK	TOPICS	CHAPTERS
1	Course Introduction	Module 1 & Online
1	Language, Grammar, and Writing	Online
2	Audiences and Cultures	Modules 2, 3, 5 and 9
2	"You" Attitude	Modules 5, 6, and 9
3	Positive Emphasis and Reader Benefits	Modules 5, 7, 8, and 9
3	Informative and Positive Messages	Modules 10
4	Progress Report	Modules 21 and 25
4	Midterm Exam	Modules 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 21, 25 and online
5	Research Proposal	Modules 21 and 22
5	Short Research Report	Modules 5, 9, 22, 23, 25
6	Presentation	Modules 5, 25
7	Negative Messages	Modules 9 and 11
7	Persuasive Messages	Module 9 and 12
8	Job Hunting	Online
8	Final Exam	All materials covered in this course

For the first couple of weeks of the term, you'll complete short assignments and exercises from the textbook. At times, you'll respond to your classmates' work. You'll post your work on a discussion forum or you'll submit via the dropbox. These assignments are intended to offer you practice in preparation for the longer assignments in the later weeks. You'll need to complete the assignment fully, and follow directions carefully. Plus, the assignments must be submitted on time. Always refer to the weekly activity and lesson pages for a full explanation of all assignments and deadlines. Finish assignments early and do not wait until the deadlines.

For remaining weeks of the term, you'll write and post drafts to discussion forums and then you'll
post responses to at least two of your peers. You can earn the full number of points for the draft as long as long

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as you complete it by the deadline. You'll then write revisions of your drafts and submit these final documents via a dropbox. These final revisions will be graded according to grading criteria posted for the assignments.

For due dates, always refer to the information sheet "When Assignments Are Due." These are tentative dates that may be adjusted by the instructor.
Note that in general, "A" assignments are virtually free of grammatical errors and typos, carefully follow directions and are thorough in content. "B" and "C" papers may include some grammatical/content errors, but they still follow directions. "D" and "F" assignments includes work that doesn’t follow directions, is incomplete and/or contains many errors.

Please be aware that plagiarism, the misuse of source materials involving greater or lesser amounts of copying is unacceptable in student work. The penalty for plagiarism is an automatic "F" on the assignment. (A quick reference rule: If you use more than three consecutive words of someone else's phrase/idea, give the author credit.)

Resource: You can use the Sinclair Writing Center for additional tutoring and assistance with your writing assignments. The Writing Center has morning, afternoon, and evening hours and is located in the library near Tutoring Services. Most satellite campuses also provide writing tutors.

GRADING SCALE	GRADING WEIGHTS
A=90 to 100%	80% based on Business Documents: drop box assignments­exercises, letters, memos, & reports
B=80 to 89%	10% based on Discussions
C=70 to 79%	10% based on Tests & Quizzes
D=60 to 69%
F=less than 60%